He is at the peak and moving on. He is 31 and good for him! One day you leave. Best done on your terms.
Just another prove for the double standards...on one side several people here complain that others do not respect the achievements of a certain British GP driver while they put a boot in someone who just achieved his biggest success and decided to leave. Sick...
Good for him. I would probably do the same if i was him. Nothing is more important to me than spending time with my family. If i had the means, i would retire tomorrow. He has the means, achieved his lifelong goal, and doesn't need the stress anymore. I think everyone would want to see Alonso vs Hamilton, no holds barred, no team orders, just mano e mano and may the best driver win. However, given Alonso's luck, he'll go to Merc, McLaren will catch up and one of the new guys will get a WDC.
If he stayed out of F1 for the period of his contract, he got full pay as if he were still their driver. He never really left F1, he was under contract for Ferrari, at something like $20Million a year while he was away?
Mike Hawthorne said it best: 'Why did you retire sounds much more pleasant than why don't you retire' Perhaps only Jackie Stewart before him has done the same thing. Retire as World Champion with the announcement made after the final chequered flag. To do so is far from being a coward but comes from being acutely aware of who you are and where you feel you are in your life. These lessons were probably passed on by his father Keke who treated him like a man from the get go and did not hover around his son trying to influence his career. I believe that today we have seen one of the most mature and proper actions by an F1 driver in some time. I for one am deeply impressed.
On top of having the guts to win the title, Nico has the guts to make this move. He's an exceptionally intelligent, level-headed guy with a lot to offer the world beyond motor racing. I wouldn't be surprised if he started by going to university – remember he turned down a place at Imperial College (Britain's MIT) to go into F1. Best of luck to him and his family for the future.
Yes agree'd in a way this is ultimate mind game LOL. I wonder if this will trigger an exit with LH after next year. Nico is showing him the way out the door. One title makes you a WDC.
Unbelievable. I wonder if the team had any inkling. Obviously the mediots were clueless. I admire him for his decision. I'll be curious about what he decides to do, as he should have many, many years ahead. Well done, Nico!
Nico Rosberg retires: Mercedes F1 team-mate Hamilton not surprised - F1 - Autosport Even here Elton can't resist a nasty dig!
WOW - I'm shocked.... ...but honestly I also understand. The time commitment in F1, and most pro sports, is insane. He has all the money in the world, he can still race other things, brand new car next year, etc. etc. Man - big balls on Nico to step out now. Good for him.
