Nico Rosberg gave further insight into his mindset which led him to quit Formula 1 only days after becoming World Champion, revealing that one title is enough for him as more than that was not on his list of ambitions.
Rosberg spoke when he received the ‘Caschi d’Oro’ award at the annual Autosprint gala earlier this week, “Now that I have achieved the highest goal it is time to end. My goal was to win one F1 world title, not five and now I have decided to stop.”
The 31 year old German added, “I’m satisfied with my career, I got everything I wanted since I was little. I won a lot of races. I feel good and now is the right time to depart. I came to conquer Mount Everest and I’m at the top right now.”
“What I ask is that you all look back and see that they have been very good years. I fought a lot and I have gained a lot. I thank everyone for the support I received over the years.”
“First I think of my family, because I did not see much of them this year. In a few weeks or a few months I will start on new projects and it will be fun to start new things away from Formula 1.”
The recently crowned World Champion was grateful to everyone who supported him throughout his career. “What I ask is that you look back, have been very good years. I fought a lot, I have gained a lot . I thank the support I have received over the years.”
Asked if there was any chance of a comeback at some point, he said with no hesitation, “No definitely not. End of story. Done.”
Rosberg’s last three years with Mercedes coincided with Lewis Hamilton joining the team. The pair were friends and rivals throughout their junior years in racing and also when they were in different teams in F1.
But paired in the same pit garage, over the past three years, they became bitter rivals, hardly speaking to one another as they battled each for the title. Hamilton won two drivers’ championships with Rosberg claiming one during their period as teammates.
In closing Rosberg said, “And now I’ll be able to be friends with Lewis again…”