Nico Rosberg Has Just Announced His Retirement From Formula 1

Wow. Just wow. Sooooooo who saw this one coming? Because if you did, you are a smarter person than I am. You’re also clairvoyant.

Nico Rosberg is the Formula 1 world champion as he won in Abu Dhabi this past Sunday. He is also, now, retired from Formula 1 racing. I have no words other than,”WHAAAAAAAAT!?” The 31-year-old joins other famous sports stars that have gone out in their prime. Famously, in the NFL, Barry Sanders retired while he was still considered the best Running Back in the league. Nico, clearly considered the best as he is the reigning champion, will also go out on top.

Here is his statement from Formula 1.

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.

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 (wife) Vivian and Georg (Nolte, from his management team), followed by (Mercedes-Benz Head of Motorsport) Toto (Wolff).

This is absolutely stunning news, mainly because Nico has just inked a two yea contract extension with Mercedes. There’s little more info than this at the current time, but we will be updating this post with any more info as we have it. The 2017 season will be the first since 1994 that a reigning world champion will not be on the grid. Alain Prost retired in 1993.

Stay tuned.

Unbelievable.

(Source: Formula 1)