Nico Rosberg retires from F1

[FourWheelDrift]

Jorge Lorenzo to drive, apparently driving an F1 car is surprisingly easy.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/127364...

[Ahonen]

Catatafish said:

Conspiracy theories unite and go forth!

Or maybe he just decided to retire at the top, which would be far more logical than any rubbish that uninformed armchair enthusiasts come up with on internet forums.

[rsbmw]

bakerstreet said:

Why? He would demand a huge salary. You could get some up and coming talent for considerably less the use the money saved to go elsewhere.

I personally SQuare jaw should retire and buy some more mountain bike race teams

Yes, what I care about as a fan is how much money the teams spend in salary.

With Alonso in a Merc, and regs changes, there would be the top 5 drivers across the three teams with a genuine shot at the title, that would be interesting.

[DuraAce]

ucb said:

garyhun said:

Sheetmaself said:

What an absolute loser, i was never one of those who complained that he only won due to Lewis' issues and am not a massive Lewis fan. But this just shows what Nico thinks of his chances of repeating the win next year.

What a weak way to leave.

You are so wrong. It's a brave decision to quit while in the ascendancy - I'm a natural Lewis fan but believe wining the WDC would have released Nico on to greater things. Although that's all moot now.

What a strong way to leave.

Agreed, the pressure (particularly marketing from Mercedes in Germany) for him to continue must be massive. Good for him. I'm liking rosberg more and more

Good on him IMHO. He's achieved his dream, he's hardly short of a few quid so he's off to enjoy his life with his family instead of the f1 circus. Can't blame him for a second, I'd do exactly the same.

[RichB]

But the big question now is - who will stand at the front when they sing the national anthem?

[anonymous-user]

I've just had a missed call from a number in Germany.

Things are looking up ....

[MKnight702]

Blimey, never saw that coming.

Good on Nico, glad he won a championship whilst I would have preferred Lewis to get another, Nico did work hard for this one.

Wonder if JB is off down to the silver overall shop just in case? If all the other drivers are pretty sorted out for 2017 JB could be a good bet for 1 year, however, in reality he is probably tied up in some contract clauses that would preclude him playing.

Damn, that was a shock, hope it's not some elaborate hoax. Nico had a good night out last night and left his laptop open and his mate has thought "I've got an idea for a laugh".

[LeeThr]

Wow, throwing in the towel a bit early there. I think he knows he has no chance of taking the title consecutively or if ever again. He's realized this year was more of a fluke than anything.

[Mr-B]

Did not see that coming at all! Good luck to him whatever he does.

Not going to happen but would wet my pants with anticipation to see them hire Max V for Nico's car

[Catatafish]

Ahonen said:

Or maybe he just decided to retire at the top, which would be far more logical than any rubbish that uninformed armchair enthusiasts come up with on internet forums.

Retiring at the top, young kid... these are not very interesting points of discussion.

Merc obviously knew before the race. Wonder if Lewis was told?

[theAmerican]

I think it's kinda soft personally, family situation not withstanding. The least you can do is give an opponent a rematch, Hams done that for the 3yrs he's beaten Ros

I wonder whether this foreshadows their 2017 car. Maybe it's not a championship level car and he can't be arsed with it?

[l354uge]

News reaches MTC...

[mattyn1]

To be honest I have never been a Rosberg fan. However, post the Sky Sports interview on Sunday, and now this - he has gone up so much in my estimation.

I wish him all the best.

But I am flabbergasted.

[Abbott]

I guess Lewis will be at the top of the list begging for Nico's seat. He always belives Nico's car was better.

[Europa1]

I was never Rosberg's biggest fan but have been warming to him (although his post-race interviews remained cringeworthy!); I have to take my hat off to him for a ballsy decision.

[Ahonen]

Catatafish said:

Ahonen said:

Or maybe he just decided to retire at the top, which would be far more logical than any rubbish that uninformed armchair enthusiasts come up with on internet forums.

Retiring at the top, young kid... these are not very interesting points of discussion.

He needs to start training the third generation Rosberg in karts...

[Melman Giraffe]

Wow - not expected at all. Wonder if the team gave him a push

[boobles]

spunkytherabbit said:

boobles said:

I kinda think that Bernie might have already known this about rosberg because not sure how many noticed but just after rosberb picked Bernie up after the race, he then turned to speak to another chap but told him that he couldn't say anything in front of the camera!!!! I instantly thought that he knew something nobody else did.... Could be completely wrong of course

I think you're spot on. My missus and I both looked at one another and asked 'what was all that about?'.

Glad I am not the only one then!

[r11co]

Dog Star said:

Arguably only because of some pretty lousy reliability for Hamilton.

<cough> Baku! <cough>

[funkyrobot]

spunkytherabbit said:

boobles said:

I kinda think that Bernie might have already known this about rosberg because not sure how many noticed but just after rosberb picked Bernie up after the race, he then turned to speak to another chap but told him that he couldn't say anything in front of the camera!!!! I instantly thought that he knew something nobody else did.... Could be completely wrong of course

I think you're spot on. My missus and I both looked at one another and asked 'what was all that about?'.

I picked that up too and mentioned it in the Abu Dhabi thread.

I never really warmed to him over the years. However, when he won the title, I thought well done to him. Irrespective of what anyone says, he did what he had to and beat a driver people consider to be one of the best.

I can see the logic of why he did it. He wanted to win the title, did so and has decided he has achieved his ambition. Fair play to him for deciding to move on now on a high.

Funnily enough, his attitude reminds me of Bradley Wiggins. He won the Tour De France in 2012 and then didn't bother with it anymore. Said he wanted to do it, and did so.

Also, from the perspective of being a family man, I can see why he did this. He seems very close to his family and I think that is very nice. I, personally, would love to give up work to be with my daughter and fiancée all of the time. So I can see why he has done it from that perspective.

I said it in the Abu Dhabi thread and I'll say it again - fair play to you Nico.