Nico Rosberg
German–Finnish former Formula 1 racing driver
Nico Rosberg: the 2016 Formula 1 champion
A path through karting and GP2
Rosberg began karting as a child and raced against Lewis Hamilton before either reached Formula 1. He won the inaugural GP2 championship in 2005 and made his Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2006. His father Keke had won the world title in 1982.
Building a Mercedes challenge
Rosberg joined Mercedes in 2010 and took his first Grand Prix victory in China in 2012. Hamilton became his teammate in 2013. Their competition for the championship grew sharper over the following seasons, with Rosberg remaining a title contender through the final race of 2014.
The title and an immediate exit
In 2016 Rosberg secured the drivers’ championship at the Abu Dhabi finale after a season-long contest with Hamilton. Five days later he announced his retirement from Formula 1. The decision made his championship season the final one of his Grand Prix driving career.