It’s been over 4 and a half years since Nico Rosberg was in the driver’s seat after retiring as a world champion, succeeding rival teammate Hamilton by just 5 points – 385 to Lewis’ 380 in 2016. Since then he has focused his time on sustainable living but still assists in F1, giving his analysis and expertise.
On December 2nd, Rosberg made the announcement that he was leaving the sport, actually a little earlier than anticipated. When speaking with Motorsport-Total, he said the following – “I would have liked to have celebrated another month with the world title and then said at some point that I was going to stop. If it had been up to me, I wouldn’t have done it until January either.”
Mercedes had to “naturally reposition” and “look for a new driver” due to the completely surprising resignation. That was “the only reason” why Rosberg publicly announced the end of his driving career at the world championship press conference that afternoon in Vienna.
Team boss Toto Wolff and Mercedes AMG management were informed before the press conference. The theory that Wolff was not so unhappy about Rosberg’s resignation after the relationship between Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton had escalated several times in the previous years, was “never ever” true.
In Rosberg and Hamilton, Mercedes had “the best driver combination” in the entire field, and despite all the rivalries, the two always pushed each other to new heights.
On the contrary, the team tried everything to persuade him to stay, Rosberg indicates that he already thought of quitting before Abu Dhabi, as long as he managed to win the title. Mercedes, however, were keen to see him drive for longer. “Especially Niki Lauda tried that. Sure, it would have been easier if I kept driving.” Rosberg concluded.
Headline Image: Getty Images