Nico Rosberg retires from F1Formula 1

[sems4arsenal]

WHAT??

 

[Liquid]

ERMAGERD HE CERNT HERNDL LOOISS ERN DERTS Y HE RETIRRRED

Bloody hell, that's a shock.

 

[TS050]

IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?

 

[TheCracker]

Wow. Didn't see that one coming

 

[Samus]

Well I didn't see that one coming. I guess he's got what he wanted, now he wants a family life. I mean fair play to him, but it's rather sudden.

However this is F1, things move on quickly so naturally it's now - who takes his seat?

Is it going to be a surprising final year in a top car for Alonso? Otherwise I'm thinking it could well be another German, currently a little unhappy in Italy.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

It's Hamilton's fault

Really sudden announcement, wonder what is the real cause of the retirement ? Age ? Family ? or he has found another pursuit in life ?

 

[Liquid]

Is it going to be a surprising final year in a top car for Alonso?

Not with Hamilton ascending to his golden throne now that his thorny crown is out of the way.

---

Nico's statement.

 

[sems4arsenal]

Really shocked, I get that he has a wife and a kid but wow. His seat will cause a massive silly season shift now.

 

[SVT Cobra GT]

Imagine putting a tenner bet on that!

I don't think anybody saw that coming...

 

[TRGTspecialist]

Holy moly! My brother actually rang home from work to get confirmation about this he was so shocked

I always thought if someone was going to leave F1 early, it would be probably Lewis (leaving in a huff/to find God/pursue hip hop career etc).

 

[TenEightyOne]

Imagine putting a tenner bet on that!

I don't think anybody saw that coming...

I wonder if I can get to the bookies before they realise it's happened? Astonished, I am.

More from the BBC, just a stubby but they'll likely expand it.

 

[Samus]

Not with Hamilton ascending to his golden throne now that his thorny crown is out of the way.

It probably won't be Alonso but hypothetically at this stage in his career I think Hamilton would relish another battle with Alonso, both more mature and Hamilton has his titles.

 

[Liquid]

It probably won't be Alonso but hypothetically at this stage in his career I think Hamilton would relish another battle with Alonso, both more mature and Hamilton has his titles.

Jenson Button will be dusting off his telephone around about now.

 

[sems4arsenal]

Wonder if Button is tempted? Mercedes won't use Wehrlein I don't think, they need a proven talent.

 

[Famine]

Wow. Didn't see that one coming

No-one did. Not even Mercedes AMG F1, given the obliviousness of its Twitter account...

 

[Samus]

Actually you know what, I bet it will be Alonso....

Then it'll turn out their 2017 car is a bit of a dog with the new regs and he's still racing for 5th.

It's classic Alonso.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Alonso and Hamilton would both be able to handle such a battle.
That said, Mercedes are likely to just plonk Wehrlein in the seat, so don't expect much, unless they somehow nab Verstappen.

 

[Dotini]

It's not unprecedented for a driver to "retire" upon becoming champion. Some of them make a comeback, often into other series.

 

[Famine]

Someone, somewhere in Affalterbach (or Brackley), is trying to work out if they can leverage the entire Germany economy to a caffeinated soft drinks company to rent a Dutch/Belgian teenager.

 

[Dodzzz]

Maybe he just want to save his friendship with Lewis, by retiring, they can be best friend again.. (I'm serious!)

 

[TheCracker]

I bet Wehrlein will be the 2nd driver next year. Merc enjoy a German driver.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Someone, somewhere in Affalterbach (or Brackley), is trying to work out if they can leverage the entire Germany economy to a caffeinated soft drinks company to rent a Dutch/Belgian teenager.

Meanwhile in Fuschl-am-Zee zeroes are being retrospectively added to the paperwork.

 

[occasionalracer]

Da frick? Kind of dissapointed he's running for the hills with his victory and doesn't want to put up another (clean) fight next year with a new car. I respect he's been on the scene now for so long now, but this just smells like either "I don't want to lose" or "my Formula 1 career has my finacial worries covered, why bother making more..". I don't get it, he's currently one of the best Drivers on the grid and he just walks away..!??

 

[mcsqueegy]

Looks like 2016 wasn't finished throwing surprises at us! Talk about leaving on a high... it explains why we never heard an answer on if he was using the #1 on his car though!

 

[Vinylshark]

That's so out of the blue. I first thought it was some kind of fake news when I saw it pop-up on Facebook.

I seriously hope they won't put Wehrlein in that seat or Verstappen. I'd kinda like to see Nico replacing Nico.
Or Alonso. I surely would like to see that.
Maybe they will give Massa a chance?

 

[Samus]

I bet Wehrlein will be the 2nd driver next year. Merc enjoy a German driver.

There is another one, bit unhappy at the moment in the Maranello area.

 

[Brend]

Damn, can't fault him though. Had a terrific year.

God speed, Nico.

 

[doblocruiser]

Didn't see that coming! Courageous from Nico! Wish him all the best 👍

Jenson Button will be dusting off his telephone around about now.

Would like to see him leave as a great champion as well so yes Jenson pick up the damn phone!

 

[spyrrari]

Whoooottttt??....

Not even going to defend his title?... pffff


But ok,bye bye Nico...Hello ... well that will be the big question


Spy.

 

[Peasantslayer]

I have a feeling that a queue is forming outside Toto's office.