Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg has announced his retirement with immediate effect.
Speaking ahead of Friday night’s FIA Prize Giving Gala, Rosberg confirmed his retirement from F1, just five days after beating Lewis Hamilton to the title in Abu Dhabi by five points.
"I want to take the opportunity to announce that I have decided to end my Formula 1 career in this moment here," said Rosberg.
"Since I started when I was six years old, I had a very clear dream and that was to become Formula 1 world champion.
“It was very clear in my mind, whatever I could think, I have achieved it. I will remember it forever.
"Now I've achieved that, I've put everything into it for 25 years of racing and with the help of everybody around me, with the help of fans and the help of my team and my family and friends I have managed to achieve that this year.
"I want to call it a day and go on to other things and it feels right to me," he added. "I feel excited, my wife is excited. Thank you very much for the support these years."
Speaking about how the decision came about, Rosberg revealed it first popped into his head at the Japanese Grand Prix.
"It was after Suzuka. In Suzuka, it became my title to lose – and that is when the pressure really started also, and when I started to think about this: 'If I do achieve my childhood dream, then it would be great to end there.'
"This year was the best I can be, definitely. In the preparation and anything, I put everything into it.
"I achieved what I set out for. It is clear from six years old, starting off in go-kart, it was dream already, inspired by my dad, and all the way through. There it was more a childhood thing, going for that – I have done it and I am so happy.
"At the same time, it was a very, very tough year and I don't want to do that again."
