Nico Rosberg retires five days after winning Formula One title

World champion Nico Rosberg has announced he has retired from Formula 1 with immediate effect.

The 31-year-old German won his first world title on Sunday, beating Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton by finishing second in the final race in Abu Dhabi.

“I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak, so this feels right,” Rosberg said in a Facebook post.

Rosberg won nine of this season’s 21 grands prix, beating three-time champion Hamilton by five points.

Rosberg celebrated his world title triumph in Abu Dhabi on Sunday with his family – and now he wants to savour the moment with them. 

The German is talking about his decision live now on Facebook, with team boss Toto Wolff.

“We kept it within a small number of people to ensure it didn’t leak,” he says.

“I had a feeling something was going on, but it took me completely by surprise.

How much will Nico miss driving?

“I don’t know. Of course, there are so many wonderful times. There’s so many nice things and fun things about this job, so I will miss something.

“On a whole, I’m 1000% sure I’ll be happy with a new direction.”