Rosberg: No Mercedes F1 comeback. That's over! Hire Sainz

Some out there speculation was that the 38-year-old might be on Toto Wolff's 'shopping list' of F1 drivers to replace Hamilton and team up with George Russell, reportedly set to include Carlos Sainz (a straight swap with Ferrari) as well as their highly hyped Young Gun Kimi Antonelli.

While Mercedes F1 boss Wolff desires Max Verstappen, that move - if it happens - is highly unlikely to be for 2025. This leaves outsiders Esteban Ocon (a Wolff protege), their F1 reserve Mick Schumacher and a way out theory that Sebastian Vettel was also in the picture for a comeback.

One World Champion that will not make a return is Rosberg who said of a return with Mercedes to replace Lewis: "No. I'm done with the topic. Even if there might be an opportunity at Mercedes. But no, that's over."

Rosberg has always made it clear he quit after beating Hamilton to the 2016 F1 title simply because he did not have the willpower to attain the levels he had to in order to beat his Mercedes teammate. One F1 title was enough, and age was not a factor.

Rosberg cited evergreen Fernando Alonso who is proving that age in F1 is just a number: "It's remarkable he is still driving at his best level after all these years. Fernando will be 43 in a few months, really unbelievable. That’s only possible because he’s one of the best drivers of all time. A role model."

Another of F1's Old Guard, Rosberg's former teammate Lewis Hamilton is also going strong at 39, albeit not as imperious of late as in his heyday not too long ago. Ferrari next year providing a new and unexpected chapter to his marvellous career. Bringing down a Silver curtain on his seven world titles and 103 Grand Prix wins with Mercedes.

Next year, the Red curtain rises on Hamilton's much-anticipated Ferrari adventure which Rosberg, like all of F1, looks forward to: "He too can drive at a high level until his mid-40s, no problem.

"Six months ago, Together with Max [Verstappen] Lewis was probably the best driver in the current starting field. The start of this season was a little more difficult for him," reckoned the Monaco-based German.

Regarding the big shoes Mercedes need to fill alongside Russell, Rosberg buys into the Kimi Antonelli hype with caution: "Antonelli is definitely a superstar of the future but unfortunately the timing is too early for him. And too early for Toto to choose him."

Much is being written about 17-year-old Antonelli since he became the 'flavour of the month' in the F1 paddock. The Italian karting hotshot who shone brightly in karting and F4, skipped F3 straight into F2, where most of the 'big names' on the grid today won the feeder title on their first asking. Currently, Antonelli is P9 in the 2024 F2 standings after three of the 14 Rounds.

Rosberg is wary of a straight promotion for Antonelli into the Mercedes team, without a season or two (Russell) style at Williams where they will eagerly take the kid and the money/barter that would bring to the Mercedes customer team.

The 2016 F1 World Champion doubts Antonelli is ready for F1 with a big team like Merc: "That's asking a lot, because he hasn't shown anything in F2 yet. That's the minimum requirement to do well in F2 in order to be considered for F1. Therefore, Toto has to take his time with this strategy and wait until summer or autumn for the decision."

With Fernando Alonso signed through to the end of 2026 at least, with Aston Martin, and Nico Hulkenberg confirmed by Sauber/Audi for 2025 and beyond, driver options for Mercedes are running out fast, with on-form Carlos Sainz the best bet for Mercedes says Rosberg.

He added "But Sainz probably wants a multi-year contract and that doesn't make much sense from Mercedes' point of view. That's what makes it so difficult and that's why Toto is looking closely at how things are going with Antonelli."

Rosberg explained the impact Hamilton's departure to Ferrari (we termed it the F1 News of the Century) will have on the German team's future: "Lewis has put Mercedes in an extremely difficult position."

Since his retirement from F1 and race driving at the end of the 2016 season, Rosberg has been involved in start-up projects, vlogging and as part of the Sky F1 team on occasions such as the recent Chinese Grand Prix.

His honest insights, parc ferme interviews conducted with unbounded enthusiasm and first-hand knowledge of just about everything F1 related, makes Rosberg a very welcome addition to mainstream punditry of the sport.