nico-rosberg-quits-f1
Nico Rosberg Retires From Formula One
Formula One
Nico Rosberg has just announced his retirement from Formula One with immediate effect. Rosberg won his first and what will be his only drivers championship last week after beating Lewis Hamilton by 5 points at the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi. On his website Rosberg explained his decision. “I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak, so this feels right. For 25 years in racing, it has been my dream, my ‘one thing’ to become Formula 1 world champion,” said Rosberg. “Through the hard work, the pain, the sacrifices, this has been my target. And now I’ve made it.” Rosberg scored nine wins in 2016 and has notched up 25 grands prix victories, 57 podiums and competed in 206 races having made his debut in 2006. It seems that one world championship was more than enough to satisfy Rosberg who retires at 31 years old, a relatively young age for a Grand Prix driver. Mercedes F1 boss, Toto Wolff, was stunned by the news “It took me completely by surprise. This is a brave decision by Nico and a testament to the strength of his character,” he added. Mercedes will begin the process of looking for a new driver on Monday. Will Rosberg come out of retirement in two years time? He says definitely not, but who knows. Rosberg gave his mind, body and spirit to win this years drivers championship at the expense of those around him, he isn’t willing to make that sacrifice again and it looks like he wants a settled normal life. He also relinquishes a three year contract worth a reputed £18.5m a year. But his decision to retire suddenly was very obviously not motivated by money. Formula One has made Rosberg into a multi-millionaire and he is rich enough to live a comfortable life many times over. You can never place a value on family life, and it’s family life that Rosberg seems to want more than money could ever tempt. Nico retires at the peak of his driving abilities and on his own terms, he ends his career on a personal and professional high. He joins F1 veterans Jenson Button and Felipe Massa into retirement. The new millennial generation will eventually take over and begin their journey to the top. The formula one story will continue and like all former drivers before him Nico Rosberg will become a historical and statistical footnote. That’s the nature of a sporting life at the very top, compared to a non sporting career it is brief but frenetic.  nico-rosberg-quits-f1
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