Nico Rosberg shocked Formula One on Friday with the surprising announcement that he was retiring only days after attaining a life time ambition by winning his first world championship with Mercedes.
“From the moment when the destiny of the title remained in my own hands, the huge pressure began and I started to consider ending my racing profession if I ended up being world champion,” the German stated in a declaration.
“On Sunday morning in Abu Dhabi, I understood that it could be my last race and that feeling cleared my head prior to the start. I wished to delight in every part of the experience, understanding it might be the last time,” the 31-year-old included.
The motorist, who had provided no previous sign of his intents, stated he had decided the day after the title race.
Rosberg, who was scheduled to participate in the governing FIA’s gala prize-giving in Vienna afterwards Friday together with group mate and triple world champion Lewis Hamilton, did not state exactly what he prepared to do next.
He will entrust a record of 23 wins in 206 races – putting him equivalent 12th on the all-time lists with Brazilian triple champion Nelson Piquet – and as just the 2nd son of a champion to obtain the title.
His Finnish father Keke was champ with Williams in 1982.
Nico Rosberg was likewise the first German motorist to win the Formula One title with a German car and team, and now becomes the very first champ to leave without defending the title since Frenchman Alain Prost in 1993.
