Nico: Mission accomplished
Vienna, Dec. 3: Nico Rosberg said it was “mission accomplished” as the German star received his Formula One world championship trophy on Friday, just hours after he stunned the Formula One world by deciding to quit.
The 31-year-old paid also tribute to long-time friend and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, the outgoing world champion, as well as his father Keke Rosberg who won the F1 title back in 1982.
“It’s mission accomplished as far as I am concerned,” the German told the FIA prize giving ceremony at a star-studded event in Vienna.
“I’m so proud to be here. It’s been a pretty intense period but it was my childhood dream.
“When I saw this trophy for the first time today, I immediately went and found where my dad’s name was on it. It’s very special and emotional to share with him what he did 34 years ago.”
Rosberg admitted that had he come up rather short in the championship this year, he would have carried on in 2017.
“When I was just six years old, I wanted to be the world champion and I have now done exactly that. Now I have to move on to other things — family first, see what the future holds and just follow my heart.”
Rosberg edged Lewis Hamilton to the title but he paid generous tribute to the Briton.
“Lewis was awesome so to take the title away from him is very special,” added Rosberg, who admitted that winning the title was the second most intense thing he has ever done.
“Well, watching my wife give birth, that was pretty intense.” — AFP