Why Nico Rosberg ruled out sensational 2020 F1 return

Nico Rosberg

Why Rosberg ruled out sensational 2020 F1 return

Rosberg "considered" a return when Hamilton was struck with Covid last year

Sam Hall

Thursday 4 November 2021 17:44

Nico Rosberg would have "considered" answering a call from Mercedes after Lewis Hamilton was hit with Covid last year although concedes he would only have lasted "two laps".

When Hamilton contracted coronavirus ahead of the Sakhir Grand Prix, Mercedes handed Williams driver George Russell the seat.

Although happy in retirement, 2016 champion Rosberg revealed in a recent podcast that despite temptation, a lack of physical fitness would have forced him to turn down the drive had his phone rung.

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"I would definitely have considered picking up the phone there," said Rosberg. "But I physically would not have been able to drive. No way.

“I would not have managed more than two laps with that car. My arms would solidify rock solid. My fingers, I wouldn’t be able to hold a steering wheel anymore after two laps, I am sure.

“Not to speak of the neck, falling between my legs on braking because I wouldn’t be able to hold my head up.

“The g-forces on those things and the challenge and development that you need on all your specific muscles, the arm muscles and so on, it is very on the edge.

“[There is] no way physically. No chance, because I was thinking about it.”

Rosberg, who announced his retirement from F1 at the post-season FIA prize-giving ceremony following his championship year, has since taken on a number of projects both inside and out of racing including the running of his Extreme E team.

Asked by 2009 champion Jenson Button if he missed driving F1 cars, Rosberg answered: “If you tell me I can try tomorrow Valtteri’s car in Bahrain in a day of testing, I will be like ‘That is so cool. I would love to do it’.

“But if you tell me I have the chance to be back in a season now, no. Thank you very much everybody. I am very happy with my second life. That is all done and fulfilled.”