2016 Formula One World Champion Nico Rosberg has quit the sport 5 days removed from winning his first title.
The German said that he made his decision within 24 hours of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Rosberg announced his decision on Facebook.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff joined him for a live interview on Facebook and the German wrote on his personal page: ?Since 25 years in racing, it has been my dream, my ?one thing? to become Formula One World Champion. Through the hard work, the pain, the sacrifices, this has been my target.And now I?ve made it. I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak, so this feels right.
He continued: “I took my decision on Monday evening. After reflecting for a day, the first people I told were Vivian and Georg (Nolte, from Nico?s management team), followed by Toto.
?The only thing that makes this decision in any way difficult for me is because I am putting my racing family into a tough situation. But Toto understood. He knew straight away that I was completely convinced and that reassured me. My proudest achievement in racing will always be to have won the world championship with this incredible team of people,the Silver Arrows.
The 31-year-old walks away from the sport after 206 Grand Prix with Williams and Mercedes, celebrating 23 wins and 57 podiums.
During the 2016 season Rosberg won 9 Grand Prix and beat Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to the the title by 5 points.
thanks for your words. it is unbelievable that what we were talking about on that night at our holiday in Greece has actually come true. https://t.co/ATs1P6auQH
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) 1 December 2016
just grateful pic.twitter.com/RVmdcsOc6O
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) 1 December 2016
