Nico Rosberg retired from Formula 1 after winning his first and only drivers’ championship in 2016. The German driver was embroiled in one of the most intense rivalries in F1 history with teammate Lewis Hamilton. The 2016 season in particular was an exciting affair between the Mercedes drivers.
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Rosberg mentioned that he had realized his childhood dream of becoming a Formula 1 champion and wanted to go with a high. But recently the Monegasque native announced that Mercedes had offered him $ 100 million to stay.
WATCH HISTORY: Uglyest moments in the Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry
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I wanted to avoid going out as an old friend: Nico Rosberg
As reported by PlanetF1, Rosberg makes it clear that he has no regrets leaving the sport the way he did. He also mentioned that he wanted to be remembered as an F1 champion when he left and as a former player.
“I wanted to avoid going out as a familiar or undesirable person,” said Rosberg.
Motorsports: FIA Formula One World Championship 2015, Grand Prix of Spain, # 6 Nico Rosberg (GER, Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team), Toto Wolff (AUT, Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team), (Photo by Hoch Zwei / Corbis via Getty Images)
“I mean, there was $ 100 million on the table that I gave up. I longed for another life. You have no flexibility when you are racing. It was the best decision for my family – I didn’t think about the money for a second, ”said the 2016 world champion.
DIVE DEEPER
The former F1 champion reviews his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton
Rosberg and Hamilton were teammates at Mercedes from 2013 to 2016. From 2014 to 2016 they fought for the driver’s title three times in a row. Hamilton won the titles in 2014 and 2015, Rosberg triumphed in the 2016 season.
Rosberg described the argument between two drivers as the breakup of two songwriters. “But that’s why they split up at some point because there’s so much at stake,” he said.
Nico Rosberg (left) of Mercedes shakes hands with Lewis Hamilton as he celebrates winning the Formula 1 World Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. (Photo by David Davies / PA Images via Getty Images)
“And they keep struggling more and more and eventually disintegrate because there is so much money at stake, so much recognition.
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There were the two camps, the Nico camp and the Hamilton fans, ”he said. “And of course all the Hamilton fans were against me.” said the former Mercedes driver.
The rivalry has spawned several moments that are noteworthy when turning back the clock. What is your favorite moment in the Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry? Let us know.
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The post Nico Rosberg makes a shocking revelation about his Mercedes F1 exit first appeared on monter-une-startup.
