Nico Rosberg to retire from F1 (!)

[Shrieker]

I'm not too sure Rosberg's departure is best for the team. On their time together, Hamilton had weekends when he simply looked lost with setup (used to happen at mclaren a few time as well). On those occasions he benefited from Rosberg's data, tho the other way round happened more often i presume. So putting a young gun in the other seat can mean Hamilton could no longer look at a faster driver's data on said occasions.

I feel Rosberg's deperature is a loss to the sport in the immediate term. If Mercedes are dominant again with no one to challenge Hamilton, what then ? 2002 and 2004 weren't fun...

[Jolle]

In other news, Sir Sterling Moss got his "most wins without a championship" title back!

[Restomaniac]

I think we'll see Mercedes 'donate' the WDC winning car of this year to Nico like Williams did to Massa as a gesture.

'Donate' a car to someone who has just shouted 'Thanks suckers' over his shoulder as he walks away with his trophy?

[Unc1eM0nty]

It leaves Lewis in a very strong position, all the talk about reprimands from his tactics in the last race will come to nothing, what did Toto say "I need time to form an opinion" well someone has just formed it for him.

But who will gets the most sought after drive in the paddock, I think they'll go for Pascal, why bring him through the ranks if they're not prepared to take a chance on a young driver, fair play to Red Bull, they've done it a few times now and shown it can work.

its going to be a different looking grid next year without Rosberg, Button & Massa, lots of race experience between them, I personally think this will be a good thing though.

[langwadt]

That's right, only a fool wouldn't believe that Alonso has been ringing off Mercedes phone since the announcement!

imagine if he gets that seat and the 2017 Merc doesn't work and the 2017 McHonda magically does and wins the championship

[Restomaniac]

That's right, only a fool wouldn't believe that Alonso has been ringing off Mercedes phone since the announcement!

imagine if he gets that seat and the 2017 Merc doesn't work and the 2017 McHonda magically does and wins the championship

This is the point though.
With the token system removed no one can realistically say how the engines strengths will line up in 2017.
It's pretty clear that most of them now know how Merc are doing it and they now can rebuild from the ground up to match them with nothing stopping them from doing so. Adding in the fact that it's sounding like a return to a more Aero formula we could have a very balanced field.

[djos]

So i was was pretty surprised at first but after thinking about it i'm not, Nico knows full well that was his only shot at the WDC and to his credit he pulled it off.

I hope Merc give Jenson a call and a 1 year contract, it'd be nice to see him finish his career in a competitive car with a few extra wins to his tally - he's no Hambone when it come to driving talent, but he's a much better driver than Nico imo. He got his WDC by being the best driver in the best car, Nico got his by being a good driver in the most reliable car.

[Shrieker]

Jenson ? Massa ?? Are you guys serious Might as well bring back Barrichello. They are well past their prime. There are much better drivers deserving their seats, let alone the one at merc.

@djos,

Button imho is no way better than Rosberg. In fact i do think Rosberg is clearly better than him. Can take Hamilton as a reference.

[RA168E]

I'm not too sure Rosberg's departure is best for the team. On their time together, Hamilton had weekends when he simply looked lost with setup (used to happen at mclaren a few time as well). On those occasions he benefited from Rosberg's data, tho the other way round happened more often i presume. So putting a young gun in the other seat can mean Hamilton could no longer look at a faster driver's data on said occasions.

I feel Rosberg's deperature is a loss to the sport in the immediate term. If Mercedes are dominant again with no one to challenge Hamilton, what then ? 2002 and 2004 weren't fun...

Nor 2013

[notsofast]

It's fair to ask what else there is to achieve after winning the WDC, and at what cost. Professor Watkins asked Senna, let's go fishing. We know what happened the next day. We should have respect for those who make the brave decision to stop, just as we should have respect for those who make the brave decision to keep going. I hope no driver makes the decision to keep going just because a fan wants him to.

[TAG]

lol, Jenson has proven he is a stellar driver. One only has to watch how he held his own against well-settled Lewis @ Mclaren in 2010-2012 to notice just how good he faired.

I remember those times in 2012 when Jenson was so lost barely coming in the point while Lewis was getting wins and podiums... they wound up reverting Jenson back to Lewis' standard set up to begin to rectify his horrible performance. Jenson and Nico are two peas in a pod, each with their very own WDC.

And the sport will move on unaffected without them.

[zeph]

That's right, only a fool wouldn't believe that Alonso has been ringing off Mercedes phone since the announcement!

imagine if he gets that seat and the 2017 Merc doesn't work and the 2017 McHonda magically does and wins the championship

With his luck, that WOULD happen.
OTOH, if he stays at McL, Bottas will win WDC in the Merc, though.

[Minusprevious]

Nico is wise beyond his years. Life is too short

He has seen all that F1 can offer (fame, fortune, stress, etc). Im sure he can buy us all out w/much left over. Even at the highest level of motorsports, F1 can get old & too stressful. Sorry to see him go so early!
Congrats to him for a ballsy move!

[Cold Fussion]

lol, Jenson has proven he is a stellar driver. One only has to watch how he held his own against well-settled Lewis @ Mclaren in 2010-2012 to notice just how good he faired.

I remember those times in 2012 when Jenson was so lost barely coming in the point while Lewis was getting wins and podiums... they wound up reverting Jenson back to Lewis' standard set up to begin to rectify his horrible performance. Jenson and Nico are two peas in a pod, each with their very own WDC.

And the sport will move on unaffected without them.

If button was the best driver in that 2012 Mclaren then it would be remembered as a dud of a car, instead of a car that would have won the championship if not for Mclaren's race operations.

[TheGkbrk]

Well well this is reaaally surprising. Ending a career on a high is understandable but I have never witnessed anyone doing it in F1. He is a good driver and he won a deserved championship no matter what, against a very big name next to him. So he might be satisfied enough to leave the sport.
For the empty seat, Verstappen should stay where he is, I like watching him prove himself in a non dominating car, I mean RBR is competitive obviously but they are not the dominating team. I am sure he will get the chance to win that WDC.
Wehrlein would be a disappointment.
Bottas would be surprising.
Jenson would be cute.
And Fernando would be massive but I don't think it will happen.
Actually Ricciardo is a nice option as well.
Wooow it is exciting.