Post here all non technical related topics about Formula One. This includes race results, discussions, testing analysis etc. TV coverage and other personal questions should be in Off topic chat.
However it could be that Toto knew. Ocon has been settled with ForceIndia and Wherlein was not very happy. But if Toto knew about this then it would make sense. He has been testing for Mercedes.
Definitely a shock.
But it seems like "smart" decision on his part. He will go out unbeaten. Also IMO he's more of a "normal" guy. Multiple champions have that hunger in them and if he doesn't feel the same way, maybe he looks at the future and sees no real point staying there.
But it also might be similar situation to Michael's first retirement. Maybe he feels the responsibility for Wehrlein, as reportedly Schumacher felt for Massa.
However, if Merc would not confirm Wehrlein soon, there'd be crazy weeks for the drivers' market. Vettel and Alonso would probably be looking for any type of clause to get them free of their contracts.
We are going to centralize the discussion into one thread. Currently the retirement of Rosberg is being discussed in 4 different threads, which seems quite overboard. Let's say we do it in the separate retirement thread: http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewto ... =1&t=25508
turbof1 wrote:We are going to centralize the discussion into one thread. Currently the retirement of Rosberg is being discussed in 4 different threads, which seems quite overboard. Let's say we do it in the separate retirement thread: http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewto ... =1&t=25508
I really dislike Nico as a driver, and i'm not very fond of his personality either, can't say that I'm not anything else than really happy with the news!
Let's see what happens now, it is certainly interesting.
"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose." - Ayrton Senna
@SectorOne I bet. Although I can't help but think that if Toto/Paddy/Nikki found it tough with Lewis and Nico there job will be much harder with Lewis and Alonso. Yeah they say they have respect for each other since 2007 but Lewis and Nico were meant to be good friends and look what happened. Would they want that hassle/risk?
Last edited by astracrazy on 02 Dec 2016, 17:02, edited 1 time in total.
I am surprised and sad for this but I understand his decision. It seems based on purely familiar reasons. Its hard to be far from home when a wife and a Little children are there. This combined with the great pressure has been enough for Nico, who at least can retire as a champion.
And if he was going to have a worse performance due the poorer motivation, I think its better to retire at a good time.
diego1960 wrote:I really dislike Nico as a driver, and i'm not very fond of his personality either, can't say that I'm not anything else than really happy with the news!
Let's see what happens now, it is certainly interesting.
That's somewhat distasteful.
“To be able to actually make something is awfully nice”
Bruce McLaren on building his first McLaren racecars, 1970
“I've got to be careful what I say, but possibly to probably Juan would have had a bigger go”
Sir Frank Williams after the 2003 Canadian GP, where Ralf hesitated to pass brother M. Schumacher
If the world was a just place, we would get to watch Alonso vs Hamilton again, but I won't be holding my breath.
“To be able to actually make something is awfully nice”
Bruce McLaren on building his first McLaren racecars, 1970
“I've got to be careful what I say, but possibly to probably Juan would have had a bigger go”
Sir Frank Williams after the 2003 Canadian GP, where Ralf hesitated to pass brother M. Schumacher
So he wins the WDC after a fair few of the stars aligned for him to do so but still only won by 5 points.
Next year he isn't going to be in a car as dominant and he has a team mate who is going to go down as one of the best ever and who is going to be unbelievably motivated.
Better to retire after a lucky season then to disappear back into the midfield.
Why is it distasteful? Should I like him as a driver or a personality? Merc can do so much better than a mediocre driver that Nico is. Him and Button I rate the lowest of all the champions in the last 18-19 years or so that i've watched the sport. As I personality too, I just don't like him, I didn't (and wouldn't) wish him anything bad in his life obv, but as a driver it's better for all that he retires, really nothing to miss about him, or Jenson to be honest.
"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose." - Ayrton Senna
Pierce89 wrote:If the world was a just place, we would get to watch Alonso vs Hamilton again, but I won't be holding my breath.
I agree with you.
Although with the engine levelling off that the removal of the token system will bring and the reset due to the rise changes I would bet Merc still bring as dominant.
