Nico Rosberg Makes a Shocking Revelation About His Mercedes F1 Exit

Nico Rosberg retired from Formula One after winning his first and only drivers’ championship in 2016. The German driver was involved in one of the intense rivalries in F1 history with teammate Lewis Hamilton. The 2016 season especially was a tense affair between the Mercedes drivers.

Rosberg mentioned he had achieved his childhood dream of being Formula One champion and wanted to leave on a high. But recently the Monegasque native revealed Mercedes offered him 100 million dollars for him to stay.

WATCH STORY: Ugliest Moments in Hamilton-Rosberg Rivalry

I wanted to avoid going out as a has-been: Nico Rosberg

As reported by PlanetF1, Rosberg clarifies he does not have any regrets about leaving the sport the way he did. He also mentioned that he wanted to be remembered as an F1 champion when he left and as a has-been.

“I wanted to avoid going out as a has-been or someone who is not wanted anymore,” said Rosberg.

“I mean, there was $100m on the table that I gave up on. I longed for a different kind of life. You don’t have flexibility when you’re racing. It was the best decision for my family–I didn’t think about the money for one second.” said the 2016 world champion.

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The former F1 champion reviews his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton

Rosberg and Hamilton were teammates at Mercedes from 2013 to 2016. They fought for drivers’ title for three consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2016. Hamilton won the 2014 and 2015 titles with Rosberg triumphing in the 2016 season.

Rosberg described the falling out between two drivers as two songwriters falling off. “But that’s why they break up eventually because there is so much at stake,” he said.

“And they start fighting more and more and they eventually break up because there’s so much money at stake, so much recognition at stake.

There were the two camps, the Nico camp, and the Hamilton fans,” he said. “And all the Hamilton fans were against me, of course.” stated the former Mercedes driver.

The rivalry produced several moments that are noteworthy when turning back the clock. What is your favorite moment of the Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry? Let us know.