Nico Rosberg retires from F1 after becoming World Champion - Polidicks

[QUOTE]“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…”[/QUOTE] [URL]https://www.facebook.com/nicorosberg/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf[/URL] [URL]http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38185846[/URL] Wasn't expecting this at all but got to respect the man, he achieved his dream and goes out on a high.

Better to end at the top instead of slowly falling off of it.

Certainly surprising news, but I guess I understand wanting to end on a high. Hamilton would no doubt have been hot on his heels in the next season and, to be quite honest, after that considerably unsportsman-like stunt he pulled in the very last round I'm not entirely sure what he might do to pull another win out. Props to the man. I was never keen on him, but he was a damn fine racer all the same.

[QUOTE=zpiscool;51462986]Certainly surprising news, but I guess I understand wanting to end on a high. Hamilton would no doubt have been hot on his heels in the next season and, to be quite honest, after that considerably unsportsman-like stunt he pulled in the very last round I'm not entirely sure what he might do to pull another win out. Props to the man. I was never keen on him, but he was a damn fine racer all the same.[/QUOTE] This probably comes down to opinions and values, but honestly I think what Hamilton did was a sensible strategic move to win the championship. He didn't crash into Rosberg or force him off the track, he merely tried to pressure him into making a mistake so he could win the title. It was well within the bounds of competition and certainly made the last race far more interesting than a mere confirmation that Hamilton is the faster driver. That said, it's a classy decision from Rosberg and he did a good job to hold his nerve. Can't help but feel for Hamilton, losing the title to reliability sucks.

Man, that's a shock. Didn't think he'd go out in what seems to be the prime of his racing career! The past few seasons have been pretty great to watch between the two teammates. Will be interesting to see who ends up as his replacement.

You better end as a hero, before you become a zero

Maybe because Hamilton or some people at Mercedes F1 team was pushing too hard on him. Pretty sad news, but i glad he won championship this year. Anyway, it'll be kinda hard to replace him. Probably they'll pick Wehrlein.

Might as well quit when you're at the top. Has there even been f1 drivers that still keep winning after 10 years in the game?

[QUOTE=gukki;51463157]Might as well quit when you're at the top. Has there even been f1 drivers that still keep winning after 10 years in the game?[/QUOTE] Schumacher was pretty good, he kept doing good in f1 from '92 up until '06 [editline]2nd December 2016[/editline] well saying he was pretty good is a bit of an understatement if im honest

Doubt this guy would totally quit racing. I bet soon we'll see him in small time races where he doesn't have to be away from his family.

[QUOTE=adam1172;51466315]Doubt this guy would totally quit racing. I bet soon we'll see him in small time races where he doesn't have to be away from his family.[/QUOTE] Pretty sure he'll appear on some Formula-E events or even 24 Hours of Le Mans. Like Hulkenberg did in 2015. :smile:

[QUOTE=PyrO_o;51466672]Pretty sure he'll appear on some Formula-E events or even 24 Hours of Le Mans. Like Hulkenberg did in 2015. :smile:[/QUOTE] Many ex-Formula 1 drivers switch over to WEC. It's superior to F1 in every way, to be honest

[QUOTE=NeonpieDFTBA;51463030]This probably comes down to opinions and values, but honestly I think what Hamilton did was a sensible strategic move to win the championship. He didn't crash into Rosberg or force him off the track, he merely tried to pressure him into making a mistake so he could win the title. It was well within the bounds of competition and certainly made the last race far more interesting than a mere confirmation that Hamilton is the faster driver. That said, it's a classy decision from Rosberg and he did a good job to hold his nerve. Can't help but feel for Hamilton, losing the title to reliability sucks.[/QUOTE] Arguably he lost the title because he is shit at pulling away.

[QUOTE=UK Bohemian;51467055]Arguably he lost the title because he is shit at pulling away.[/QUOTE] There are a lot of things which could make up the 5 point gap, and Hamilton not cocking up is one of them. It's just that having anywhere near equal reliability is another.