Rosberg: Timing of shock retirement was 'for Toto and the team'

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Nico Rosberg has revealed that his decision to announce his retirement from F1 just days after winning the 2016 World Championship was out of respect for the Mercedes team.

Rosberg sealed the 2016 title versus Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in the final round of the season in Abu Dhabi on November 27.

While F1 and indeed his fans expected the German to race on in 2017, Rosberg stunned the world by announcing his departure from motorsport just five days later.

"I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak, so this feels right," he said on the day he was set to collect his trophy for winning the world championship at the FIA prize-giving ceremony in Austria.

Read also: Mercedes' Vowles still 'can't work out' why Rosberg retired

Over five years later, speaking to Motorsport-Total, Rosberg opened up about the timing of his decision to call it quits, insisting he didn't want to differ the announcement and leave Mercedes hanging with too few options to replace him.

"I would have loved to have celebrated the world championship title for another month and then at some point said: 'I'm going to quit!'" Rosberg explained.

"If it had been up to me, I would have done it in January. Another month of celebrating as World champion, and then Christmas and all that, and then sometime in January say, 'I'm going to quit.'

"I only did it for Toto and for the team, very simple."

Rosberg also revealed that several among the Brackley squad's top brass tried to convince him to change his mind, and not least Mercedes F1 non-executive chairman Niki Lauda.

"Especially Niki," Rosberg said. "Sure, it would have been easier if I kept driving."

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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.