The Rosbergs have always done things a little differently. Keke Rosberg won just five Grands Prix throughout the course of his Formula One career, yet history recognises his status as a World Champion.
During that successful campaign, the Finn claimed a solitary victory. He would proceed to sire a son, Nico – far removed from his persona, German by birth and notionally Monegasque, who many years later would follow his father’s path into the sport.
Thus, the younger Rosberg’s ‘shock’ retirement shouldn’t be so surprising. At 31 years young, the German hangs up his helmet following eleven seasons on the grid, comprising 206 Grands Prix, 30 pole positions, 57 podiums, 23 victories, though most pertinently, one World Championship.
That Rosberg chose to ride into the sunset barely a week following his polarising yet ultimately deserved title is a refreshing outcome. While most were contemplating, and some lamenting, the merits of his crown, the man himself was unperturbed and as it came to pass, we now know why.
If the 31-year-old is guilty of one charge, it is that hasn’t afforded himself an opportunity to definitively silence those who can’t bring themselves to acknowledge that the right man was the 2016 champion. So far as the fickle nature of Formula One is, this is rendered academic and there always be another perceived injustice around the corner.
To chart Rosberg’s retrospectively logical decision, the proof is in the considerable grafting endured throughout his formative seasons both in Formula One and again once he joined Mercedes as a foundation driver. Patience doesn’t come easily to many drivers, and most are lost to the sport prior to realising the ultimate success, though the German remained stubbornly unyielding.
His four seasons at Williams represented solid grounding, thus when he was teamed with a returning Michael Schumacher upon his arrival at the reformed Silver Arrows, his learning curve was rapidly expedited. Victory at the 111th time of asking at the 2012 Chinese GP was vindication, yet the arrival of Lewis Hamilton in 2013 was surely the moment that he realised he had to raise his performance to a new level if he wanted to make the transition from respected campaigner to a legitimate force.
Having bided his time during those frustrating early campaigns at Brackley, it must have been a galling experience to concede the 2014 title to the Briton, yet in defeat he preserved his dignity in magnanimous fashion, a significant paradox to the events which would occur two years later.
The latent beast which was severely chastened on account of the calamitous friendly fire with Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix that season, contributing to an uninspiring final portion of his title quest, which manifested in a forgettable 2015, resurfaced upon his teammate claiming his second successive crown at the United States Grand Prix.
As meaningless as it appeared, three victories to conclude the season were priceless in renewing his vigour, and it is this juncture which could be cited as the catalyst for the following twelve months.
Nobody needs reminding how 2016 transpired. All that needs to be stated is that it culminated in Nico Rosberg becoming World Champion, and representing the German’s final season in Formula One. It doesn’t matter how he reached this point, he did everything required, and then he decided that he’d had enough.
His family will be enriched for his selfless act. Instead of the media’s glare, the Rosbergs will be enjoying a vastly simpler life. Whoever steps into his shoes has a tough act to follow, for they will be filling the breach of the reigning champion.
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