Getty
SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 09: Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP gets a hug from Mercedes GP non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, and is congratulated by Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff after winning the race and the Mercedes GP team winning the constructors championship during the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 9, 2016 in Suzuka. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Getty
SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 09: Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP gets a hug from Mercedes GP non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, and is congratulated by Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff after winning the race and the Mercedes GP team winning the constructors championship during the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 9, 2016 in Suzuka. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Nico Rosberg retired from Formula One after winning his first and only drivers’ championship in 2016. The German driver was involved in one of the intense rivalries in F1 history with teammate Lewis Hamilton. The 2016 season especially was a tense affair between the Mercedes drivers.
Rosberg mentioned he had achieved his childhood dream of being Formula One champion and wanted to leave on a high. But recently the Monegasque native revealed Mercedes offered him 100 million dollars for him to stay.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
WATCH STORY: Ugliest Moments in Hamilton-Rosberg Rivalry
I wanted to avoid going out as a has-been: Nico Rosberg
As reported by PlanetF1, Rosberg clarifies he does not have any regrets about 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 has-been.
“I wanted to avoid going out as a has-been or someone who is not wanted anymore,” said Rosberg.
Getty
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 $100m on the table that I gave up on. I longed for a different kind of life. You don’t have flexibility when you’re racing. It was the best decision for my family–I didn’t think about the money for one second.” said the 2016 world champion.
Read More: Why Do Mercedes Dominate F1?
The former F1 champion reviews his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton
Rosberg and Hamilton were teammates at Mercedes from 2013 to 2016. They fought for drivers’ title for three consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2016. Hamilton won the 2014 and 2015 titles with Rosberg triumphing in the 2016 season.
Rosberg described the falling out between two drivers as two songwriters falling off. “But that’s why they break up eventually because there is so much at stake,” he said.
Getty
Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg (left) shakes hands with Lewis Hamilton as he celebrates winning the Formula One world championship during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
“And they start fighting more and more and they eventually break up because there’s so much money at stake, so much recognition at stake.
There were the two camps, the Nico camp, and the Hamilton fans,” he said. “And all the Hamilton fans were against me, of course.” stated the former Mercedes driver.
The rivalry produced several moments that are noteworthy when turning back the clock. What is your favorite moment of the Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry? Let us know.
