Nico Rosberg announces shock F1 retirement after maiden world title
by Paul Weaver, The Guardian
Friday 2 December 2016 08.25 EST
Nico Rosberg has stunned Formula One by announcing his retirement, just five days after the 31-year-old became the sport’s world champion.
He said he had “climbed my mountain”. Now he is going out at the peak. His Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who won 10 races to Rosberg’s nine this year but was beaten by five points, said the move was not unexpected to him.
The British driver said: “I’m probably one of the only people that it was not a surprise to. This is the first time he’s won a title in 18 years [though Rosberg was GP2 champion in 2005], hence why it was not a surprise that he decided to stop. He’s also got a family to focus on, and wants more children, and Formula One takes so much of your time. Will I miss the rivalry? Of course.”
Interest will now focus on the driver Mercedes will choose to replace the world champion. Fernando Alonso (McLaren), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) and Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo (both Red Bull) would be obvious targets, but all are contracted to their respective teams for 2017. Instead, Mercedes could make a short-term fix and opt for another German, Pascal Wehrlein, 22, a member of the team’s young driver programme. Wehrlein has deputised for both Hamilton and Rosberg in testing.
The watertightness of Alonso’s contract at McLaren is the subject of some conjecture and F1’s chief executive, Bernie Ecclestone, says the Spaniard would be his choice. “It’s possible I suppose, let’s see,” he said. “They’ve got new management now at McLaren. Maybe he’s fed up being there and they’re fed up having him.” But a shocked Mercedes said they would not rush into making an appointment.
Wow.
Alonso! Alonso! Alonso!
Seriously. He and Hamilton are the best drivers on the track. Alonso can make a brick seem racy and Hamilton can pass from pits to podium.
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Vent Hole