Talk about going out on a high and shocking everyone at the same time. Nico Rosberg, less than a week after winning his first Formula 1 title, announced his retirement from the sport.
Rosberg achieved his dream of winning the drivers' championship after pipping fellow Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton in a hotly-contested title battle this season, and just like that, the German decided it was time to end his career.
Rosberg won the F1 title through sheer consistency. While Hamilton won races, he also suffered a lot of engine problems, something Rosberg managed to avoid.
The German, having lost out on the title to his Mercedes teammate in the previous two seasons, finally got to the pinnacle and felt it was the right time to leave.
"I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak, so this feels right," Rosberg said. "My strongest emotion right now is deep gratitude to everybody who supported me to make that dream happen."
Rosberg revealed he thought about retiring in October, when a win at the Japanese GP moved him ever closer to the title, with that feeling only increasing going into the final race of the season in Yas Marina, where a top three finish would have sealed the title. He finished second, behind Hamilton.
"When I won the race in Suzuka, from the moment when the destiny of the title was in my own hands, the big pressure started and I began to think about ending my racing career if I became world champion," Rosberg added.
"On Sunday morning in Abu Dhabi, I knew that it could be my last race and that feeling cleared my head before the start. I wanted to enjoy every part of the experience, knowing it might be the last time... and then the lights went out and I had the most intense 55 laps of my life.
"I took my decision on Monday evening. After reflecting for a day, the first people I told were (my wife) Vivian and Georg (Nolte, from his management team), followed by (Mercedes-Benz head of motorsport) Toto (Wolff).
Rosberg admitted the never-ending pressure of such an intense season had taken its toll and the decision was taken with his family in mind as much as anything else.
"I cannot find enough words to thank my wife Vivian; she has been incredible," the 31-year-old said. "She understood that this year was the big one, our opportunity to do it, and created the space for me to get full recovery between every race, looking after our daughter each night, taking over when things got tough and putting our championship first."
The German did not elaborate on his plans after retirement from F1, but said he would savour the fact that he is the world champion and take it a day at a time. "Now, I'm just here to enjoy the moment," Rosberg said. "There is time to savour the next weeks, to reflect on the season and to enjoy every experience that comes my way.
"After that, I will turn the next corner in my life and see what it has in store for me."
