Newly-crowned champion Rosberg retires from Formula 1

Here's his statement:

“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 ourchampionship first.

“When I won the race in Suzuka, from the moment when the destiny of the title was in my own hands, the big pressure started and I began to think about ending my racing career if I became World Champion. On Sunday morning in Abu Dhabi, I knew that it could be my last race and that feeling cleared my head before the start. I wanted to enjoy every part of the experience, knowing it might be the last time… and then the lights went out and I had the most intense 55 laps of my life. I took my decision on Monday evening. After reflecting for a day, the first people I told were Vivian and Georg (Nolte, from Nico’s management team), followed by Toto.
“The only thing that makes this decision in any way difficult for me is because I am putting my racing family into a toughsituation. But Toto understood. He knew straight away that I was completely convinced and that reassured me. My proudest achievement in racing will always be to have won the world championship with this incredible team of people,the Silver Arrows.

“Now, I’m just here to enjoy the moment. There is time tosavour the next weeks, to reflect on the season and to enjoy every experience that comes my way. After that, I will turn the next corner in my life and see what it has in store for me…”
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F1 drivers have to be on the edge to be succesful. He has a young child and he has achieved his goal. He may feel that extra few % you need to be at the top is not there for him anymore. He may go into another type of driving that is less intensive. Bold decision but he can always come back at a later date.

That empty seat must be looking pretty tasty to some drivers now.
 
An empty seat up for grabs in the fastest car on the grid.

Will be interesting to see who Mercedes go for and if Hamilton gets any say.
 
Alex1975 said:
Thanks

In that case.... What a puss....
Click to expand...

Harsh !
Maybe he has had enough of living right on the edge, knowing that it is a matter of time before he is involved in a serious accident, done the maths, calculated the percentages and said enough.
You have a young daughter surprised you can't put yourself in his shoes.

Hamilton will be first to sign his leaving card.
 
I doubt it would be possible with contracts etc. but I would love to see Verstappen on the other side of the garage to Hamilton.

I reckon they'd be racing each other on leaving the pits and making their way round to park up on the grid...
 
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Red bull have got Verstappen pretty much sewn up .Vettel on the other hand isnt quite so tied to Ferrari.
Werlhein or Ocon could sit well with Hamilton as he wouldnt see them as a big a threat as Vettel.
and then we have Alonso who would im sure love the chance to show what he is still very capable of in a competitive car.
it will be interesting to know what mercedes are thinking at the moment and who is topping their wanted list.
 
Second longest wait to be a world champion (I believe - behind Mansell) and so I can see why he'd like to go out at the very top. However as a sportsman, isn't there something inside that would want you to go out and try and retain it. I respect the decision and more of a query
 
HomerJSimpson said:
Second longest wait to be a world champion (I believe - behind Mansell) and so I can see why he'd like to go out at the very top. However as a sportsman, isn't there something inside that would want you to go out and try and retain it. I respect the decision and more of a query
Click to expand...

Lewis has been beating him like a drum since they were kids. As Rosberg said himself, he's finally got one back on Hamilton so probably got out instead of going back to being 2nd next season.
 
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