[EdM5]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/38185846

[drchuck72]

Bitch move

[Elsabor67]

All he wanted was to win the championship. He got that and calls it a day. Wonder who will be beside Hamilton now? Would be surprising if they move Wehrlein up. I don't feel he's ready.

[Ric in RVA]

Daughter, Hot Wife, Millions of dollars, been racing something since he was 5 probably, F1 champion.....whats next?

Go enjoy life.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by drchuck72

Bitch move

^this +1

[Fundguy1]

Who?

[EdM5]

Would love to see Fernando as Lewis' new teammate.
Probably never gonna happen.

[jaco]

The Merc could suck next year, he has made millions.

Enjoy life.

[3798j]

Knowing what you want is more than 1/2 the battle. Congratulations Nico.

[3798j]

Nico explains:
“Since 25 years in racing, it has been my dream, my ‘one thing’ to become Formula One World Champion. Through the hard work, the pain, the sacrifices, this has been my target.And now I’ve made it. I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak, so this feels right. My strongest emotion right now is deep gratitude to everybody who supported me to make that dream happen.

“This season, I tell you, it was so damn tough. I pushed like crazy in every area after the disappointments of the last two years; they fuelled my motivation to levels I had never experienced before. And of course that had an impact on the ones I love, too – it was a whole family effort of sacrifice, putting everything behind our target. I cannot find enough words to thank my wife Vivian; she has been incredible. She understood that this year was the big one, our opportunity to do it, and created the space for me to get full recovery between every race, looking after our daughter each night, taking over when things got tough and putting ourchampionship first.

“When I won the race in Suzuka, from the moment when the destiny of the title was in my own hands, the big pressure started and I began to think about ending my racing career if I became World Champion. On Sunday morning in Abu Dhabi, I knew that it could be my last race and that feeling cleared my head before the start. I wanted to enjoy every part of the experience, knowing it might be the last time… and then the lights went out and I had the most intense 55 laps of my life. I took my decision on Monday evening. After reflecting for a day, the first people I told were Vivian and Georg (Nolte, from Nico’s management team), followed by Toto.

“The only thing that makes this decision in any way difficult for me is because I am putting my racing family into a toughsituation. But Toto understood. He knew straight away that I was completely convinced and that reassured me. My proudest achievement in racing will always be to have won the world championship with this incredible team of people,the Silver Arrows.

“Now, I’m just here to enjoy the moment. There is time to savour the next weeks, to reflect on the season and to enjoy every experience that comes my way. After that, I will turn the next corner in my life and see what it has in store for me…”

[larryn]

I don't really like him as a driver, but I respect this. It's the proverbial 'microphone drop' after nailing it. He'll have endorsements for a few more years, and if he manages his wealth well, he's all set to live a cushy life with a few consulting gigs.

[NickyC]

Wow, what a surprise announcement!

Can you imagine what's going on behind the scene right now with drivers like Alonso/Vettel/Verstappen/Riccardo etc.? Hell I bet even JB and Massa would come out of retirement for that spot! Everybody in the world wants that seat right now!!! :O

[E9TOU]

I was actually pretty shocked to read it this morning.

I bet Werhlein isn't going to be complaining about not making it to FI anymore. I think he will be the top candidate for the open seat since he has been their test/reserve driver for the last couple seasons.

[SonnyJack]

Gotta be more to it, although I have no idea what it could be. Driver's are like any other sports athletes. Only the best of the best ever walk away on top. Almost always end up being shown the door unceremoniously.

Any chance they let Button drive for a year or two until someone like Max becomes available? JB ain't the best, but he treats his equipment well and won't rock the boat.

Better question....is Merc brass happy or pissed?!

Get that rumor mill going!

[SonnyJack]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Daughter, Hot Wife, Millions of dollars, been racing something since he was 5 probably, F1 champion.....whats next?

Go enjoy life.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Hot wife????

I guess in a FUGLY kinda way.

[DieGrüneHölle]

The 5 people in his fan club will be disappointed.

[spumoni1984]

Originally Posted by EdM5

Would love to see Fernando as Lewis' new teammate.
Probably never gonna happen.

McLaren?

Agreed - it'll never happen

[overcoil]

I liked him, and kind of tried to mimic his workout routine - but some of his coordination routines were way out of my capability.

I'm wondering if partnering with Hamilton took the joy away?

[Mtxzptlk]

Everybody wants Alonso in that seat.

But I also heard this guy is available...

[KingOfJericho]

Congrats to Nico. As someone said earlier - he's been racing his whole life, he has a kid now, a wife, more money than he could possibly need (he started life on third base, in this respect), and now a world championship.

The last race was a perfect metaphor for his life. Why continue to push when you have everything you need in your lap? An egomaniac like Hamilton will never have enough, but a family man with his head on his shoulders like Nico knows exactly when the time is right. Why risk anything more than you need to?

Kudos to you, Nico. Job well done and a smart move.

[E90SLAM]

I guess his priories change after winning the Championship. He is probably sick and tired of the media asking him every race about Hamilton's relationship, and fighting internally and externally of the Merc camp. Probably to him is to enjoy more time with his family and daughter, where most of the year he's away from home and family, and doing simulation and testing etc.

His decision also saved his and Hamilton's friendship, or what was left of it. After three years of battle and serious damage to the 20+ years friendship.
And saved Mercedes management, so that they don't have to make a decision if they want to penalize or fire Hamilton, after the Abu Dhabi incident.

The empty seat, Mercedes might have to settle with Pascal Wehrlein for one season. And snatch another top driver (Alonso, JB return in 2018?, Verstappan, Riccarido, Vettel if Ferrari fails him again in 2017) in 2018 season.

Power Unit dominance should be Mercedes in 2017, however aero and tyre changes might bring other teams very close to Mercedes. There's still a big unknown how the regulation will change the gap time and grid order. 2017 could be an observation season and 2018 will see lots of seat swapping. As we get a more clearer picture of which team gets the better car, and several drivers have their contracts ends in 2017.

Although contracts can be negotiated and mutually ends.

[Ramos]

As a huge Hamilton fan, my thoughts are:

1) Kudos to Nico for the championship. He played it safe and smart and did what he had to do. A true racer, he's not
2) Mad respect for any athlete who walks out at the top of their game
3) No athlete who believes they can still win or have what it takes will ever walk away
4) See #2 and #3 above, Nico knows he got lucky this year and he knows he doesn't stand a chance ever again against Lewis or the improving competition from RB and Ferrari and maybe even Mclaren next year. Smart man to walk away on top while he can.
5) As a Hamilton fan, it would have been nice for Hamilton to retake the crown back from Nico on track next year. But Hamilton doesn't need to prove anything. Everyone knows he's faster anyway. He will finish his career with 5 or maybe 6 world championships.