Rosberg rubbishes 'Hamilton could quit' headline!

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Nico Rosberg denied saying that Lewis Hamilton looked set to retire sooner rather than later, a story relayed by a British media outlet earlier today.

After witnessing Hamilton's defeat at the hands of team mate Valtteri Bottas, Rosberg suggested the Briton had perhaps lost part of his edge after clinching his fourth world crown in Mexico, an assumption even Hamilton agreed with when he said he had not been at 100 percent in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

Rosberg also alluded to comments made by his former nemesis about his will to wind down his travels in the future.

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"He has hinted this year that he doesn't want to spend so much time travelling. He wouldn't do that if he wasn't thinking of it at least a little," Rosberg told the German news agency DPA.

The German's comments were taken at face value by part of the media whose interpretation led an outlet to report that Rosberg believed Hamilton could quit the sport at the end of 2018, the last year of his current contract with Mercedes.

The 2016 world champion, who is present in Abu Dhabi this week to oversee Robert Kubica's test with Williams, quickly took to Twitter to rubbish the nefarious headline.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.