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More than six years after suddenly quitting Formula 1 at the age of 31, Nico Rosberg admits it was fear that drove his decision to retire.

The 2016 world champion admits in the latest German edition of Men’s Health magazine that his entire “identity” raced away from him when he left F1.

Now 37, he subsequently became a TV pundit in Formula 1 but also an investor in sustainable mobility projects.

“As a world champion and driver I was at the top, but with these new projects you start at the bottom,” said the German. “That is interesting and instructive.”

After a highly intense battle, in which his relationship with former friend and then teammate Lewis Hamilton was shattered, Rosberg admits he decided to retire from F1 five days after the 2016 finale because he was “afraid”.

“I was afraid that if I had continued, I would not be fast enough. And then at some point there would be no team left that would want me,” he said.

“So I’d rather stop too early than too late. I wanted to be able to decide for myself.”

Nico Rosberg Age

As of September 2023, Nico Rosberg is 38 years old. He was born on June 27, 1985, in Wiesbaden, West Germany. Rosberg began his racing career at a young age, starting with karting and eventually moving up to compete in Formula One. He won his first world championship title in 2016, at the age of 31, before announcing his retirement from the sport just five days later. Since retiring, Rosberg has remained involved in the racing world as a commentator and analyst, and has also pursued other interests outside of racing.

When did Nico Rosberg retire?

Nico Rosberg announced his retirement from Formula One on December 2, 2016, just five days after winning his first world championship title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The announcement came as a surprise to many in the racing world, as Rosberg was only 31 years old at the time and had just achieved the pinnacle of his career.

Rosberg had been racing in Formula One for over a decade, and had competed against some of the sport’s greatest drivers, including his former teammate Lewis Hamilton. Despite the intense competition and pressure of the sport, Rosberg was able to achieve his dream of becoming a world champion, and decided to retire on a high note.

Since retiring from Formula One, Rosberg has remained involved in the sport as a commentator and analyst, and has also pursued other interests outside of racing.

Why did Nico Rosberg retire?

Nico Rosberg announced his retirement from Formula One just five days after winning his first world championship title in 2016. The decision came as a surprise to many, as Rosberg was only 31 years old at the time and had just achieved the pinnacle of his career.

In interviews following his retirement, Rosberg cited a desire to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests outside of racing as the main reasons for his decision. He also spoke about the physical and mental toll that racing had taken on him, and the sacrifices he had made in order to achieve his championship-winning season.

Rosberg had been racing in Formula One for over a decade, and had competed against some of the sport’s greatest drivers, including his former teammate Lewis Hamilton. Despite the intense competition and pressure of the sport, Rosberg was able to achieve his dream of becoming a world champion, and decided to retire on a high note.