[DevilsCry]

Believe it or not: Nico Rosberg has retired from F1 with immediate effect.

One source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/127368

[asr245]

Didn't see that coming. So a top drive is suddenly available. I guess Alonso or Seb might be looking at their contracts to see how to tear it up.
Certainly makes the off-season a little more interesting!

[tharian]

Unbelievable!
I just watched a clip of Rosberg celebrating his championship at the Mercedes race center in UK.

It looks like he wanted to beat Hamilton and retire and probably can't take the stress anymore.
Wonder who is going to take the seat who can cope with Hamilton.

Probably explains why he got emotional in every interview after his win.

[batterylow]

Maybe he just wanted to show that he is capable of beating Lewis and becoming the Champ, and now that he has done that, nothing left to prove. Quit when you winning maybe!

[speedmiester]

This is surprising, don't think anyone would have guessed this news.
Good for Nico.
This means things at Mercedes will be interesting.
Hamilton will definitely have his say on his team mate

[arun_josie]

For the last 4 years, he had to handle only hamilton. However, now when the field is expected to get closer(next year), he will have to tackle the likes of Verstappen, Ricciardo, Vettel as well. This obviously will add more pressure and could be one of the reason for this surprise decision.

[ecenandu]

WOW, never saw that coming.

Pascal, see, losing that Force India seat wasn't that bad after all.

[Nitrous Power]

This is a shocking decision. It's hilarious to read comments from British f1 fans on BBC sports website though.

http://m.bbc.com/sport/formula1/38185846

It will be interesting to see who fills up the available driver seat at Merc. I don't know if Seb will be interested as it's big unknown with rules changing in 2017.

[ecenandu]

Talking about queues, the situation at Merc headquarters is no different. People already started camping

[Surprise]

Originally Posted by ecenandu

Talking about queues, the situation at Merc headquarters is no different. People already started camping

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2...t-backs-alonso -

Ecclestone said he would like to see Spaniard Fernando Alonso replace Rosberg alongside Lewis Hamilton.

The double world champion is contracted to McLaren for next season, although given that team's poor performances in recent seasons he could well be scanning his contract for escape clauses.

McLaren are going through change, with Ron Dennis - who twice signed Alonso to the team - ousted last month as chairman and chief executive while American Zak Brown coming in as executive director.

"It's possible I suppose, let's see. They've got new management now at McLaren. Maybe he's fed up being there and they're fed up having him," Ecclestone said.

It would be fantastic to have Alonso alongside Hamilton


and this

http://www.autosport.com/news/report...erg-retirement

Mercedes has said it will take its time to sign a replacement for Rosberg, and Hamilton says he will not try to influence the team's decision.

"I've never been a driver to ever request - I know a lot of the other drivers, Sebastian [Vettel], Fernando [Alonso], make sure that's in their contract," he said.

"I've just always asked to have equal rights.

"So as long as we are treated fairly then it doesn't matter who is sitting alongside you.

"We've got great team bosses and I'm sure they will choose the right people to represent them.

"I'm here to race, I still love racing, and now the focus is onto next year and I'm hoping for a better season."

[fz_rider]

Rosberg just broke the internet!!!! The off season became hell interesting....
Who will get the Mercedes seat? Maybe BUTTON comes out of retirement, or Weherlein would be laughing all the way after losing Force India seat.
Maybe Alonso gets a last chance at winning again with Mercedes, I would love to see that, would love to see Hamilton having harder time.
Popular vote will be Alonso, but I think they will go with Weherlein. Unless Mercedes does something out of the box.
Wow the 2017 season just had a great start

[RWD]

This is extremely shocking. No one could have seen this coming. Although, I faintly remember reading about Nico's point of view on the dangers of motorsports, and how he is a family man. So, I can somewhat relate to the fact that he has now decided to retire and is looking forward to a beautiful life with his wife and daughter, comfortable in the knowledge that he was a successful driver and a world champion. Life as a formula one driver can be very demanding, especially as a team mate of someone as ruthless as Lewis, and now he has achieved what he had wanted, so good luck to him in his future endeavours.

[BoneCollector]

Holy cow! This is insane news. But then going away at the top of your game is the way to do it. Superb. As others have said, the off-season just became super interesting. Great job Nico.

[RWD]

Originally Posted by Surprise

http://www.autosport.com/news/report...erg-retirement

Hamilton continues to win hearts with his arrogance. Quoted below from the autosport article mentioned above.

"This is the first time he's won [in their rivalry since karting] in 18 years, hence why it was not a surprise that he decided to stop."

Of course, he then goes on to say obligatory nice things about Nico, in the article, but he can't seem to contain his bitterness towards Nico.

[searchingheaven]

You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

"For Nico, one world title was enough. He had proved what he needed to prove. To himself and anyone who doubted him. And two days later, he retired."

I got flashbacks of this scene from Rush when I heard the news. Massive respect to Rosberg for doing this.