Former world champion Nico Rosberg is not thinking about returning to Formula 1 even after the spectacular move of his ex-teammate Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes to Ferrari became known.
“It’s over, I’m not planning a comeback,” said the 38-year-old in an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
From Rosberg’s point of view, it is simply not possible to get into a Formula 1 car again.
“I would have to prepare intensively for a whole year, just to train the synapses in the brain. A racing driver has to react super quickly and be precise at top speed. That’s gone for me after the long break,” said the 2016 champion today is active as an investor.
Rosberg emphasized that he also had “great respect for the danger.” “I’m not a daredevil – unlike many other drivers.”
In addition, during his active time on the race track, he “had given up a lot, which was also difficult for my family,” said the ex-Formula 1 star.
Formula 1: Nico Rosberg “surprised” by Hamilton’s move
The then surprising step of ending his career as a newly crowned world champion was therefore “well considered”. “I felt: This was the right moment, an exit at the highest level. The title was my Mount Everest.”
“My last memory of my racing career is the best. But it was a difficult step and associated with a lot of fear,” Rosberg looked back.
Hamilton’s move “surprised” him, admitted Rosberg, who fought intense duels with the Briton during his time at Mercedes and especially in his world championship season. “But if you look at the big picture: There are two legendary teams that everyone wants to drive for – Ferrari and Mercedes. I can understand that he is fulfilling a personal dream.”
Hamilton will complete the 2024 season in the Silver Arrow. He then joined Scuderia from Maranello, which had been in crisis for years, where he received a multi-year contract. The second Mercedes cockpit next to George Russell is still available from 2025.