NICO ROSBERG ANNOUNCED his retirement from Formula One today, just five days after winning the world title for Mercedes in a move that stunned motor racing.
“I took my decision on Monday evening. After reflecting for a day,” the German said in a statement on his Facebook page which said he wanted to devote more time to his family.
“The only thing that makes this decision in any way difficult for me is because I am putting my racing family into a tough situation.”
Rosberg’s statement in full
“Since 25 years in racing, it has been my dream, my ‘one thing’ to become Formula One World Champion. Through the hard work, the pain, the sacrifices, this has been my target. And now I’ve made it.
“I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak, so this feels right. My strongest emotion right now is deep gratitude to everybody who supported me to make that dream happen.
“This season, I tell you, it was so damn tough. I pushed like crazy in every area after the disappointments of the last two years; they fuelled my motivation to levels I had never experienced before. And of course that had an impact on the ones I love, too – it was a whole family effort of sacrifice, putting everything behind our target.
“I cannot find enough words to thank my wife Vivian; she has been incredible. She understood that this year was the big one, our opportunity to do it, and created the space for me to get full recovery between every race, looking after our daughter each night, taking over when things got tough and putting our championship first.”
Wow. I didn’t see that coming.
It does seem surprising alright, but is Nascar just around the corner with a shedload of cash??
NASCAR pays peanuts compared to F1.
If he’s retiring for the sake of his family, he will run a mile from oval circuits and the like.
@ads20101: Nascar?No way. Hamilton almost done his head in this year.Don’t think he could take another year of Hamilton.Hamilton was and is the more ruthless and better driver.
@Billy McNamara: I wouldn’t be surprised it Nicko got some deal with Mercedes and Hamilton this year. And next one will be Briton’s. Although he was not the greatest driver anyway and no big lost to F1 with his retirement. Would be great to see Vettel on his place in Mercedes but it is probably impossible with Hamilton there already.
He’s right. A family man who’s a multi millionaire.
Don’t forget he grew up the child of an F1 driver and I’d imagine that has had an impact on his decision.
Great decision. Spent 25 years getting to the top then walks away as world champion who will never be defeated.
@David Mac Shite: Spent 3 years in Formula 1 to get on the podium after race. Spend 7 years to win the race. Spent 11 years to win the season. Enough.
What’s your point?
Don’t think he will be short of a few bob in his retirement years
This is devastating news, i now know how teenagers feel when a boy band breaks up.
Absolutely shocked!! Best of luck to him. Question is now who will take the second seat at Mercedes for 2017?
Has to be vettel
Lewis Hamilton of course.
Hamilton already driving at Mercedes. Would love it to be vettel. Tho with the new f1 cars next season it could shake things up a bit. Mercedes mightn’t be the dominant force it is. Interesting times ahead
Pascal Weirlein I’d say
I’d love to see Max in there. Him and Hamilton with the same engine would be very entertaining.
Surely has to be Max Verstappen. He is already the best driver in the field in my opinion, and still a teenager. He will be a multiple world champion.
Hamiltons ego is big enough for 2…
Completely agree Karol. Best thing to happen to F1 in years.
Alonso would be a good option for them too
Hamilton’s ego can easily fill that seat.!
Beat me to it tomred!
I can’t see Hamilton and Verstappen working as a team. Two win at all costs drivers. Verstappen is the future of formula 1 but that future could start next season if Red Bull get the car right with the new rules.
AJB123 great minds think alike. I have no time for that arrogant and selfish Hamilton.
Pascal Wehrlein is their reserve driver but he lacks experience at the sharp end. One rumour going round is the that Toto Wolff-managed Bottas will be paid out of his Williams contract and in return Williams will get cheaper Mercedes engines and Pascal Wehrlein as a driver.
Hamilton to drive both cars then he can’t blame anybody else for his f**k ups
He could keep the second car for parts!
@Alex Murray: If I were to pick it simply has to be Verstappen.
I’d love to see alonso in rehearsal seat. No red bull driver woukd dream of leaving red bull next season. Their car will me as good or better than merc with the new regulations
The BBC last year with the last race caught Hamilton screaming, “I hate that man” but why did no one pick up on it. He is probably leaving the sport because it is full of madonnas?
@Alois Irlmaier: Prim ones ?
I just can’t stand Hamilton, what with his show off ear studs, loads of gold hanging off his neck and last weekend he even had his cap on backwards! Rap star??? Vettel will put that plonker in his place.
Glenbower,you missed a trick, prix madonnas
@Glenbower: All Prix, the lot of them ;)
The owners of F1 won’t be happy about losing this valuable asset just as the whole operation is in the shop window.
Bring back Button
Oh please let Alonso have the merc seat!!
Now that would be fireworks!!
Ha deadly. Similar to James Hunt or Cantona in football terms . Get out when you’re on top. I’d say Hamilton is raging as he’ll never get a chance to win it back off him. Regardless of their differences it was a great rivalry and great for formula one if only the other teams could compete a little more.
@John, no similarity to Hunt whatsoever. He drove for another 3 years after his 1976 title win before he retired.
Pity because you want all the competition for that arsehole Hamilton the better!
Won’t be missed
Very surprised
Hamiltons fans are nuts! Literally nuts! Go on the comments section of a British paper like the daily fail and you’ll see what I mean. He can do no wrong and Hitler is talked of more fondly than rosberg
BBC website was the same after Nico won the title, saying Hamilton deserved it more. Also, Hamilton said he wasn’t surprised by Nico retirement, saying that it was the first time he won in 18 years, hence why he left. A-hole
Just like Conor mcgregor win a title and never defend it
Can’t fault him, leave on top! Best wishes!
A good driver wins one World title. A great one retains it. He got lucky this year and he knows it.
His father did the same thing when he won it
Well done to him & good luck for the future. It has been relentless for Nico driving with one of the greatest team mates of all time. No different than the team mates of Senna Schumacher or Vettel.
Put Seb in the car as much as it pains me he is not going to win a championship with Ferrari as a team their structure will not allow it.
Would love to see Alonso in a Merc next year now.
Could get a job as a taxi man