F1 champion Nico Rosberg 'scared' to tell Toto Wolff of shock RETIREMENT

Toto Wolff during press conference — Photo: © IMAGO

Upset F1 champion 'scared' to tell Wolff of shock RETIREMENT

Nico Rosberg walked away soon after his world title win in 2016

Stuart Telford

Tuesday 30 April 2024 16:57

Nico Rosberg shocked the Formula 1 world when he retired as word champion in 2016, and now he has lifted the lid on his decision - and how Toto Wolff took it.

Lewis Hamilton was already a three-time world champion - the previous two seasons with Mercedes - when his team-mate swept to the title in 2016, five points clear of the Englishman.

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The German had emerged as a superstar in his own right, but almost immediately after taking the top prize, he announced his retirement, and he hasn't been behind the wheel of an F1 car since.

Rosberg was the first reigning champion to retire from the sport since Alain Prost in 1993, and he reflected on his decision during a recent YouTube chat with Business of Sport.

Nico Rosberg edged Lewis Hamilton in 2016

Toto Wolff ended up taking the decision well

Rosberg retires while on top

While Hamilton went on to win a further four world titles with Mercedes, Rosberg has since become a successful eco-entrepreneur - something he is passionate about but doesn't necessarily give him the same buzz.

"It was the perfect exit," Rosberg said. "My dream was to win the championship, once, and that was more than I thought I'd be able to do anyways. So I got the championship. I decided, I felt that it was a great opportunity to move on at the highest point.

"To be at the pinnacle of a sport is so huge and after that it's like everything else, forever, will be less intense than that," he said.

It also wasn't easy for Rosberg to tell team boss Wolff.

"We were actually sitting together on a flight, even having dinner in the flight together, but I was scared that I would burst out in tears if I mentioned this now so I decided 'I'm going to chicken out!' - so I just called him right when we left the plane!

"He kind of got it. It was crazy and unexpected."

F1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Nico Rosberg Alain Prost