New F1 champion Nico Rosberg quits Formula 1

What a turn up for the books, Nico Rosberg has quit Formula 1 with immediate effect.

I wonder what happened there then?

I wonder who will be Hamilton's co driver?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38185846

What!! Wow.

I was amazed too, reading between the lines of what has been revealed on Sky News I think he found this year a little stressful, in my opinion he knows Hamilton is the better driver and he struggles with that fact.

Looks like this year took its toll on him, probably not the time to tell him he only became world champion because of Hamilton's misfortune

Without doubt and I think Hamilton is also mentally conditioned better that Rosberg. His statement seems to suggest the effort required in order to reach that level and that he needs family time too. He's basically saying, he has peaked and he probably won't get there again so calling it quits.

You're probably spot on in your assumption, it took a lot out of him, he must realise he was a little lucky and yes he would probably not achieve it again.

its called quitting while youre ahead.

In my book its called quitting because you will never be able to do it again

From what I've seen he said his only aim was to be world champion and this last season he spent a lot of time away from his family. He's getting out on top and he's obviously not short of a bob or two. In truth I think he only won due to Hamilton not nailing his starts properly in too many races along with a few mechanical issues. Hamilton generally has been faster in the races I've seen. Be interesting to see who they get into replace him. I'd love to see Button in there but that obviously won't happen

I think Mercedes will be very careful who they choose for their next driver, couldn't be Verstappen for example or they would be crashing out every race, they need a sensible neutral kind of driver who is level headed.

I must admit I do not find F1 as appealing as I once did, it now lacks excitement as the top teams are not as evenly matched as they once were and you basically know the result before the start of the race.

You would need a replacement like a baricello for schumacher (always a bridesmaid and never a bride situation) in order to minimize the friction inside the team.

Because Mercedes are so far in front of the other teams they may consider a lesser known driver knowing full well they will still have a very good chance of getting a podium finish most racing.

Something needs to be done about the Mercedes dominance or indeed the dominance of any other team as it is making boring viewing compared with 15 - 20 years ago, nowadays its almost like watching a procession.

Maybe he has quit because he has achieved an ambition, and knows that next year he will be pushed harder and risks will be greater, he probably thinks its crap being a dead champion.
I agree F1 is pretty boring now.

It has now become rule-based point system.

in many sports now you can be tactical champions without being a winner all the time

Thing is for for teams the constructors is their first aim so ideally you want two capable drivers for maximum points every race.

Personally I thikn Bernie is taking the race in the wrong direction by making them go down the aero downforce route. This will make over taking harder and tyre wear will be increased. If they went down the mechanical grip route then cars would be more stable behind each other, reducing tyre wear and allowing more overtaking. Just my thoughts

It certainly needs something to liven it up, Bernie was saying on TV only last week that Mercedes dominance was spoiling F1, well, I thought he was in a position to do something about it.

To be honest it has always been that danger aspect that made it interesting and exciting in the past but no one is allowed to do dangerous anymore. I believe that F1 will go out of business in the not too distant future, its really difficult to see how they can get that spark back.

that's it, take a spark plug out.....

I agree about F1 becoming something of a procession. Mostly now the race is won on pit stop strategy and luck of the draw with safety cars. Thats why I looooove MotoGP.
Re dominance, I think it will be more open next year and Mercedes will not enjoy such a strong position. Red Bull and Ferrari will push them and I think McLaren will also be a force.