Nico Rosberg to retire from F1 (!)

[bonjon1979]

Look, surely none of us are debating the fact that Nico is quicker than Lewis. Nico won this year because of reliability. He didn't overtake Hamilton and win a race through wheel to wheel combat. For sure, Hamilton could've still won had he not made a few small errors regarding starts. But still, you'd have to be pretty myopic not to see that rosberg won because of the number of points lost by Lewis because of reliability. Nico did everything he had to, take nothing away from him, but the fact is if you take just Malaysia on its own, that win would've seen a 28 point swing in hamiltons favour. The team do seem to have been trying to readdress the balance of power in the team in nicos favour this year. After Barcelona they were openly critical of Hamilton. In Austria, even when the stewards decided that it was nicos fault, the team seemed to suggest post race that Hamilton shoudnt be making those sort of moves. I'm citing totos assertion that they shouldn't allow drivers to challenge for the lead after the last pit stop. In the final race, once the wcc was tied up, when it was clear that Hamilton wasn't going to lose the race they tried to make sure Nico won the championship by instructing Lewis to give him an easier time...after all that, and he decides to give up. I'd be pissed off, especially as I've now upset my prize asset...

[GrandAxe]

The thread is about Nico's shock retirement aged a mere 31, all of twenty hours after officially being crowned WDC - a first in F1, yet some people are going on about what Lewis said? Really? It just doesn't sound grown up.

[ringo]

I think Lauda's statement is as accurate as we get regarding Mercedes true feelings on the departure of Nico.
They always talk about the guys and girls back at the factory, and i think Nico's side of the garage are the ones left gutted and gasping after Nico's decision. They probably feel a bit used after putting in so much effort.
The bigger heads will also feel used after their efforts to handicap things towards Nico; maybe expecting after making their champion he will serve them well going forward and Hamilton's leverage and power will diminish.
This has seemed to flip upside down now. Hamilton's bargaining power is even stronger, Nico's side of the garage will probably look to Lewis as the only real and straight up element in the team, and even the shareholders will see Hamilton as a low risk and high return on investment element. Toto's and Paddy's power is greatly diminished. Lauda doesn't give a damn, and is mostly neutral, and he will probably continue to support lewis just a little bit more going forward.

The next time they are giving "instructions" over the radio, they might have to start with Mister, or Sir and end the transmission with a question mark.

If it's one thing Lewis did not eclipse Alonso with, it is a looming, almost bullying, political power in a team, it seems that he will have a little of it next year. He should be able to bark over the radio like Fernando does and make demands and the team listens.

[DarkAlman]

I'm as shocked as the next person, but this is the interview question that sticks with me:

via Imgflip Meme Generator

[NL_Fer]

I don't understand how people can be upset by Nico's decision. If a driver feels he has reached his goal and his motivation to go further is gone, what is the point of sitting in that car for one more year. Look at Vettel or Raikkonen, just a few % less motivation or frustration and the speed drops, enough to be pushed back to the bottom of the Q3. So what is the point, if he feels that way, just get out. Why use the teams motivation and dedication, if you as a driver aren't giving it the best.

And let's be honest, Nico has never been a pure racer, like Alonso or Hamilton. He even admitted himself, that Lewis was always a few tenths quicker. He got lucky this year, but also gave it 200%, suffered and put everything aside to hold that championship. How won on true effort and i can only have my deepest respect for that.

Nico enjoy your time, enjoy your life and i hope to see you around a racetrack in a role you will enjoy to the fullest.

[Restomaniac]

I don't understand how people can be upset by Nico's decision. If a driver feels he has reached his goal and his motivation to go further is gone, what is the point of sitting in that car for one more year. Look at Vettel or Raikkonen, just a few % less motivation or frustration and the speed drops, enough to be pushed back to the bottom of the Q3. So what is the point, if he feels that way, just get out. Why use the teams motivation and dedication, if you as a driver aren't giving it the best.

And let's be honest, Nico has never been a pure racer, like Alonso or Hamilton. He even admitted himself, that Lewis was always a few tenths quicker. He got lucky this year, but also gave it 200%, suffered and put everything aside to hold that championship. How won on true effort and i can only have my deepest respect for that.


Nico enjoy your time, enjoy your life and i hope to see you around a racetrack in a role you will enjoy to the fullest.

He has a Multi year deal. He has walked out with a year left of it.
He has left his team that has certainly favoured him throughout 2016 with a gaping hole that they will now struggle to fill.

Lauda has come clean in that Merc feel let down and that they didn't see this coming. His team, his own crew and the management are disappointed in him.

You seem to think it's fine for someone to just say 'See Ya suckers' after he has got what he wants instead of giving back for the teams efforts.
For me it shows Rosberg up for exactly what he is. A spoilt entitled brat who after getting what he wants doesn't care about anyone.

[muhammadtalha.13893]

To all of those saying Nico betrayed Mercedes etc etc, just ask yourself this. Do you have the balls to reject a 'few' 'million' dollars and stay at home with wife and kid instead? I don't think so, For sure he has a lot of money but money is never enough, just ask Bernie. So whatever you say or think about this decision, it was brave and a good one, because thought of his family rather than wealth and fame.
And about Nico not retiring had he not won the championship, it is obvious. He got what he aimed for, then what is the point in making yourself and family suffer more? Maybe he had the deal with his family that he'll stop once he wins the title.

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[Shakeman]

Yes. And Hamilton could have been graceful about it, but he chose to be a jerk instead. How insecure is that?

Everybody knows Hamilton has Rosberg beat, all things being equal. He did not need to point that out. He could just have acted like he had some class and say something nice about Rosberg's retirement.

I imagine Hamilton's comment went down extremely well within the team. Lauda : "When I won the first title I immediately thought about how I would win a second. That's not the case with Nico. His decision has left us disorientated and unprepared, and all those who contributed to Nico winning the world title took it very badly."

Lewis' comment may have been extremely well calibrated. Maybe the entitled attitude was absolutely no surprise to Lewis...

Lewis has always said publicly that as a team they win together and they lose together and was thoroughly pissed off when he had his team moved over to Nico. Feel for these mechanics and car performance specialists who helped Nico to the title who now won't be spending 2017 having the cachet as WDC's team anymore. Their celebratory fireworks were rather urinated on wouldn't you say?

[Restomaniac]

To all of those saying Nico betrayed Mercedes etc etc, just ask yourself this. Do you have the balls to reject a 'few' 'million' dollars and stay at home with wife and kid instead? I don't think so, For sure he has a lot of money but money is never enough, just ask Bernie. So whatever you say or think about this decision, it was brave and a good one, because thought of his family rather than wealth and fame.
And about Nico not retiring had he not won the championship, it is obvious. He got what he aimed for, then what is the point in making yourself and family suffer more? Maybe he had the deal with his family that he'll stop once he wins the title.

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Please stop trying to spin this away from Rosberg.
Rosberg is 'Brave' as well now? No he isn't, he has shown the world exactly who and what he is.
It's clear Merc privately cannot believe how much Rosberg has stabbed them in the back. Lauda has already given us as clear an insight as we are going to get. Merc are far from happy.

Rosberg has shown that he actually has no loyalty to anyone but Nico Rosberg. Yet people are still trying to paint him in a good light. Unbelievable.

[NL_Fer]

To all of those saying Nico betrayed Mercedes etc etc, just ask yourself this. Do you have the balls to reject a 'few' 'million' dollars and stay at home with wife and kid instead? I don't think so, For sure he has a lot of money but money is never enough, just ask Bernie. So whatever you say or think about this decision, it was brave and a good one, because thought of his family rather than wealth and fame.
And about Nico not retiring had he not won the championship, it is obvious. He got what he aimed for, then what is the point in making yourself and family suffer more? Maybe he had the deal with his family that he'll stop once he wins the title.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Please stop trying to spin this away from Rosberg.
Rosberg is 'Brave' as well now? No he isn't, he has shown the world exactly who and what he is.
It's clear Merc privately cannot believe how much Rosberg has stabbed them in the back. Lauda has already given us as clear an insight as we are going to get. Merc are far from happy.

Rosberg has shown that he actually has no loyalty to anyone but Nico Rosberg. Yet people are still trying to paint him in a good light. Unbelievable.

I understand you never switched from employer? Sure u act as a team if your are in there, but u feel it is better to go, then go. It is no point keeping up appearences if you don't commit to the team for 100%.

Lewis switch, Alonso did, Vettel also. The team will get over it, they will find another great driver and get on. Everybody is replacable.

[muhammadtalha.13893]

To all of those saying Nico betrayed Mercedes etc etc, just ask yourself this. Do you have the balls to reject a 'few' 'million' dollars and stay at home with wife and kid instead? I don't think so, For sure he has a lot of money but money is never enough, just ask Bernie. So whatever you say or think about this decision, it was brave and a good one, because thought of his family rather than wealth and fame.
And about Nico not retiring had he not won the championship, it is obvious. He got what he aimed for, then what is the point in making yourself and family suffer more? Maybe he had the deal with his family that he'll stop once he wins the title.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Please stop trying to spin this away from Rosberg.
Rosberg is 'Brave' as well now? No he isn't, he has shown the world exactly who and what he is.
It's clear Merc privately cannot believe how much Rosberg has stabbed them in the back. Lauda has already given us as clear an insight as we are going to get. Merc are far from happy.

Rosberg has shown that he actually has no loyalty to anyone but Nico Rosberg. Yet people are still trying to paint him in a good light. Unbelievable.

Ahh. Niki Lauda. Funny how you can choose what to believe coming out of the mouth of the same person who said Lewis broke his hotel room and Lewis Fanboys denied to believe him and believed Toto instead at that time. Seems like you're still in shock of Lewis loosing the championship exaggerated by the fact that the world champion is gone and Lewis won't have a chance again to beat him again. Grow up kiddo. Grow up.

And no, don't try to spin things like it's happened for the first time in history. Drivers are not loyal to their team, never. They'll all go as soon as they get a better chance or think something else is good for them. Vettel did it in '14, after getting not 1 or 2 but FOUR championships from a team.

Hamilton being selfish in the last race and not listening to the team was a master class, yeah sure. Rosberg being selfish is betrayal. I bet threatening to quit mid season is also masterclass and not betrayal.

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[Kingshark]

Rosberg has shown that he actually has no loyalty to anyone but Nico Rosberg. Yet people are still trying to paint him in a good light. Unbelievable.

This is complete nonsense. Rosberg could have easily left Mercedes from 2010-2012 when they kept underdelivering year after year. Mercedes were a bit of a joke, especially in 2012. He could have left for Ferrari in 2011 and replaced Massa, but he didn't. Rosberg was the one who stayed loyal to Mercedes, and deservedly reaped the benefits from 2014-16.

[Restomaniac]

To all of those saying Nico betrayed Mercedes etc etc, just ask yourself this. Do you have the balls to reject a 'few' 'million' dollars and stay at home with wife and kid instead? I don't think so, For sure he has a lot of money but money is never enough, just ask Bernie. So whatever you say or think about this decision, it was brave and a good one, because thought of his family rather than wealth and fame.
And about Nico not retiring had he not won the championship, it is obvious. He got what he aimed for, then what is the point in making yourself and family suffer more? Maybe he had the deal with his family that he'll stop once he wins the title.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Please stop trying to spin this away from Rosberg.
Rosberg is 'Brave' as well now? No he isn't, he has shown the world exactly who and what he is.
It's clear Merc privately cannot believe how much Rosberg has stabbed them in the back. Lauda has already given us as clear an insight as we are going to get. Merc are far from happy.

Rosberg has shown that he actually has no loyalty to anyone but Nico Rosberg. Yet people are still trying to paint him in a good light. Unbelievable.

I understand you never switched from employer? Sure u act as a team if your are in there, but u feel it is better to go, then go. It is no point keeping up appearences if you don't commit to the team for 100%.

Lewis switch, Alonso did, Vettel also. The team will get over it, they will find another great driver and get on. Everybody is replacable.

But he hasn't switched. He has walked out.
Merc clearly knew nothing about this until Rosberg dropped it in them. Lauda makes that clear.

It's highly doubtful from Sunday to Friday that Rosberg has made this decision. It's not something you wake up one day and think 'yep I'm off' you have to look at it long term. Which means he has known this is coming and the team have been blissfully unaware whilst backing him to the hilt.
Those are not the actions of a nice guy they are the actions of a selfish individual who cares about nobody but himself.
It's also the actions of a hypocrite! Anyone remember Chinese Grand Prix 2015? I'll give you a quote from Nico Rosberg 'It's interesting to hear from you, Lewis, that you were thinking about yourself'. Yet as soon a Rosbergs gets what he wants he runs out of Merc as quickly as he could.

On your last point name me another 'great driver' that is available and not under contract ATM?

[Restomaniac]

To all of those saying Nico betrayed Mercedes etc etc, just ask yourself this. Do you have the balls to reject a 'few' 'million' dollars and stay at home with wife and kid instead? I don't think so, For sure he has a lot of money but money is never enough, just ask Bernie. So whatever you say or think about this decision, it was brave and a good one, because thought of his family rather than wealth and fame.
And about Nico not retiring had he not won the championship, it is obvious. He got what he aimed for, then what is the point in making yourself and family suffer more? Maybe he had the deal with his family that he'll stop once he wins the title.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Please stop trying to spin this away from Rosberg.
Rosberg is 'Brave' as well now? No he isn't, he has shown the world exactly who and what he is.
It's clear Merc privately cannot believe how much Rosberg has stabbed them in the back. Lauda has already given us as clear an insight as we are going to get. Merc are far from happy.

Rosberg has shown that he actually has no loyalty to anyone but Nico Rosberg. Yet people are still trying to paint him in a good light. Unbelievable.

Ahh. Niki Lauda. Funny how you can choose what to believe coming out of the mouth of the same person who said Lewis broke his hotel room and Lewis Fanboys denied to believe him and believed Toto instead at that time. Seems like you're still in shock of Lewis loosing the championship exaggerated by the fact that the world champion is gone and Lewis won't have a chance again to beat him again. Grow up kiddo. Grow up.

And no, don't try to spin things like it's happened for the first time in history. Drivers are not loyal to their team, never. They'll all go as soon as they get a better chance or think something else is good for them. Vettel did it in '14, after getting not 1 or 2 but FOUR championships from a team.

Hamilton being selfish in the last race and not listening to the team was a master class, yeah sure. Rosberg being selfish is betrayal. I bet threatening to quit mid season is also masterclass and not betrayal.

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Shock?
I said before the event it needed a minor miracle. So no I'm not in shock.
If Lauda is wrong then going on previous incidents Wollf will be along to put us straight..........He's taking his time though.
I am laughing and huge amount of spin going on though.
You keep it up and I'll keep laughing.

[Jolle]

Please stop trying to spin this away from Rosberg.
Rosberg is 'Brave' as well now? No he isn't, he has shown the world exactly who and what he is.
It's clear Merc privately cannot believe how much Rosberg has stabbed them in the back. Lauda has already given us as clear an insight as we are going to get. Merc are far from happy.

Rosberg has shown that he actually has no loyalty to anyone but Nico Rosberg. Yet people are still trying to paint him in a good light. Unbelievable.

I understand you never switched from employer? Sure u act as a team if your are in there, but u feel it is better to go, then go. It is no point keeping up appearences if you don't commit to the team for 100%.

Lewis switch, Alonso did, Vettel also. The team will get over it, they will find another great driver and get on. Everybody is replacable.

But he hasn't switched. He has walked out.
Merc clearly knew nothing about this until Rosberg dropped it in them. Lauda makes that clear.

It's highly doubtful from Sunday to Friday that Rosberg has made this decision. It's not something you wake up one day and think 'yep I'm off' you have to look at it long term. Which means he has known this is coming and the team have been blissfully unaware whilst backing him to the hilt.
Those are not the actions of a nice guy they are the actions of a selfish individual who cares about nobody but himself.
It's also the actions of a hypocrite! Anyone remember Chinese Grand Prix 2015? I'll give you a quote from Nico Rosberg 'It's interesting to hear from you, Lewis, that you were thinking about yourself'. Yet as soon a Rosbergs gets what he wants he runs out of Merc as quickly as he could.

On your last point name me another 'great driver' that is available and not under contract ATM?

They don't need a great driver, they just need a good one. In Hamilton they already have their race winner and marketing driver. They just need a driver who is within a few tenths of him and steady enough to finish races, even when it's a bit difficult.
The last few years the difference in cars have been greater then the difference in drivers, with lots of 1-2 3-4 5-6 etc all the way trough the grid. It looks that marketing image is taking a bigger and bigger spot (and the new rules prob split the cars even more apart), so Mercedes is looking for an image to counter balance Hamilton. Rosberg was everything Hamilton was not and visa-versa.

I think Bottas. He can be as boring as Rosberg if he puts in some effort