Nico Rosberg hits back at Niki Lauda criticism.

  • Published on 08 Dec 2016 10:06
  • comments 4
  • By: Dominik Wilde

Nico Rosberg has hit out at Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda after the Austrian criticised his decision to retire.

Rosberg called time on his career last week, days, after winning the championship, but Laud slammed the German who he feels has now put the team in a difficult position.

"I don't understand what Niki was riding when he said that. He must have misunderstood something," Rosberg told Die Zeit

"If it had only been up to me, I would rather have waited until Christmas to announce my retirement, but I didn't want to do that to the team," he added.

Rosberg said there can't be too much selfishness in F1, "But my life belongs to me".

The former Williams driver also revealed that he would have continued if he hadn't won the championship.

"It was strange," he said. "The thought of quitting was motivating. At the same time I couldn't think about it too much, otherwise I would lose focus."

Rosberg also revealed that defeating Hamilton to this year's title came with a great deal of mental pressure.

"Fighting Lewis in the same car and losing twice was horrible - disgusting," he told Bild.

"I had to fight back again and again. Beating him is just exhausting. It sucks a lot out of you physically but most of all mentally.

"I did mental training, started to meditate. In Japan, I met a zen master before the race. I raised everything to the next level.

"Last winter, I bought two go-karts and drove, drove, drove -- as much as when I was 14 and fought for the karting world championship. And I analysed why Lewis beat me so often in fights and realised I had to take more risks.

"Now I have reached my goal. Sure, I could have gone on, trying to defend the title. But why?

"It's easy to want more, more, more, but you also have to be careful and not lose yourself as a person. For me there is nothing more than this title. I wanted it and I got it.

"I feel as though I have climbed Mount Everest, I'm standing on the top and no peak that I see is higher."

Kevin

Posts: 5,297

I have gained a lot of respect for Nico in the past few weeks. He always came across as a robot in the media, but I feel we now finally get to see the man underneath the helmet. It was a brave decision to leave, and also the comments he made in this article are very honest and clear. Niki Lauda s... [Read more]

  • 1
  • Dec 8 2016 - 11:57

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • Kevin

    Posts: 5,297

    I have gained a lot of respect for Nico in the past few weeks. He always came across as a robot in the media, but I feel we now finally get to see the man underneath the helmet. It was a brave decision to leave, and also the comments he made in this article are very honest and clear. Niki Lauda should be ashamed for saying what he has said. It's Rosberg's life, and he can do what he wants with it. He doesn't have to tell his employer about his plans either, no one in his position would have.

    Mercedes agreed on terminating their contract. End of the line.. Lauda should show some respect and should know when to shut up for once in his life.

    • + 1
    • Dec 8 2016 - 11:57
    • Well, at first I did that too, he seemed likable but neutral, but then I saw his Facebook streams, and he seems very likable. He wasnt the best driver in F1, but he is a good person, and I'll miss seeing him on the grid, even if he had a good reason to leave.

      And I agree on what you say about Lauda there.

      • + 0
      • Dec 8 2016 - 17:20
  • Wolfgang

    Posts: 313

    well said kevin..
    Nico is a first class character..

    • + 0
    • Dec 8 2016 - 12:00
  • Nick13578

    Posts: 11

    Everyone that calls him a wuss or "cheat" or whatever else should be forced to read this article. Ultimate respect for you Nico.

    • + 1
    • Dec 8 2016 - 17:28

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 3,162
  • Podiums 127
  • Grand Prix 186
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (39)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar