F1 News: Rosberg reveals F1 career decision that cost him $100 MILLION

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Rosberg reveals F1 career decision that cost him $100 MILLION

The German was set to earn a substantial figure at Mercedes before he decision to retire

Tyler Rowlinson

Saturday 27 April 2024 18:00

Former Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg has revealed the significant contract he was set to receive before retiring from the sport in 2016.

The German debuted in 2006 with Williams - the same team that his father Keke won his world championship with 24 years prior.

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After spending four years with the team and achieving one podium, Rosberg moved to Mercedes to partner the returning Michael Schumacher in 2010, who he spent three years with until the seven-time champion retired from F1 for good in 2012.

That year, Rosberg grabbed his first win in China and a year later, he would be teamed up with best friend Lewis Hamilton after the latter left McLaren.

Nico Rosberg joined Mercedes with Michael Schumacher in 2010

Rosberg had a tense team-mate battle with Lewis Hamilton

Rosberg reveals £100 million Mercedes contract

Losing out to the Brit for the title in 2014 and 2015, the 38-year-old would achieve title success in 2016 and shockingly opted to retire from the sport following that season.

Speaking with the Business of Sport podcast, Rosberg revealed he was under contract with Mercedes for a few more years when he announced his retirement and that it would have been worth £100 million.

But the German explained that the money was not a reason for him to continue racing.

The German was supposed to under contract for two more years

“I had an existing contract for two further years,” he explained.

“Just continuing to race a couple more years was, easy going to be 100 million, yeah.

“But I’m so lucky that I made such a lot of money from my sport, that that money was not a consideration because I know that what I’ve earned is so anyways, I can fulfil anything, you know even for my kids and grandkids.”

Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Michael Schumacher Nico Rosberg