From champion to F1 retiree
Only five days after winning his first F1 title, Nico Rosberg surprised the world by announcing his retirement from the elite motorsport. Here's a look at some of the highlights of his career.
On top of the world
"I have reached the top," wrote Nico Rosberg explaining his surprise retirement to his fans through his Facebook page after only five days of winning the Formula One title. "I've decided to follow my heart and it has told me to stop there, it's been wonderful and this just feels right," said the 31-year-old newly retired F1 driver.
Made it at last!
Nico Rosberg savors his debut world title with compatriot Sebastian Vettel on the podium at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. Finishing second behind Mercedes team mate and long-term rival Lewis Hamilton was enough for the German to pip the Briton to the drivers' crown.
Going to the track with his mother
Even as a toddler, Nico Rosberg attended his father Keke's (above left) races with his mother Sina (right). Keke won his only F1 drivers' title two and a half years before Nico was born. Nico grew up around racing and was given his first go-kart when he was nine years old.
Passing the torch
Finnish driver Keke Rosberg competed in his last race as a driver for Opel in the German Touring Car Masters series in October 1995. His son, who holds both German and Finnish citizenship, joined him on the roof of his car for the lap of honor. One year later, Nico would obtain his racing license in Finland and begin racing go-carts in various racing series.
Close friends
The road to Formula One begins on the go-cart track. This is where Nico Rosberg first met Lewis Hamilton. The two young men who shared a passion for motor racing, quickly became friends.
Teammates for the first time
In 2000, the two teenagers became teammates - while still driving go-carts. In 2005, Rosberg won the GP2, the junior series along the road to Formula One, while Hamilton won the same title one year later.
An F1 legend as a teammate
Mercedes announced in late 2009 that Rosberg had signed on to drive one of the German carmaker's "Silver Arrows" the following season. Soon, Mercedes would have not just one but two German drivers, as seven-time champion Michael Schumacher announced his comeback. However, the young Rosberg finished above the driving legend in the standings.
Finally, his first checkered flag
It was a long time coming but on April 15, 2012, Nico Rosberg finally won his first Grand Prix race in Shanghai. "Winning in a Silver Arrow is amazing," he said afterwards. This was the first Grand Prix win for Mercedes in more than five decades.
From friends to bitter rivals
After Michael Schumacher decided to retire (again), Rosberg welcomed an old friend into the fold. However, they quickly became bitter rivals, with both challenging for the F1 title. Twice Hamilton has won the drivers' championship since joining Mercedes - in 2014 and 2015. He won is first with McLaren in 2008.
More rivals than teammates
Their bitter rivalry has been played out not only verbally, but also out on the track. The two got into a crash, which forced Hamilton to retire from the Belgian Grand Prix in 2014. In 2016 they've had two collisions, one in Barcelona (pictured here), which forced both to retire, and at the Austrian Grand Prix, which caused Rosberg to fall back to fourth place.
Family man
In July, 2014 Rosberg married his childhood friend and longtime fiancé, Vivian Sibold. In August 2015, the couple announced the birth of their daughter, Alaϊa.