Mercedes to begin search for new driver after Nico Rosberg ends career

03 December 2016 04:39

Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes team will begin their search for his new team-mate on Monday after Nico Rosberg sensationally announced he is quitting Formula One.

Rosberg, who was crowned the sport's new champion only six days ago in Abu Dhabi, stunned the sporting world on Friday after revealing he is to retire with immediate effect.

The 31-year-old German initially informed only a handful of people - including his great rival Hamilton - before telling the world of his stunning decision ahead of the FIA's annual prize-giving ceremony in Vienna.

Rosberg's jaw-dropping move leaves Mercedes, the sport's all-conquering team who have won 51 of the last 59 races, with a vacancy for 2017.

At this stage, it is unclear who Mercedes will choose to partner Hamilton, although they insist they are in no rush to reach a decision.

Sebastian Vettel, the four-time champion of Ferrari and McLaren's double world champion Fernando Alonso have been mooted as mouth-watering candidates, but both drivers are under contract with their respective teams next season.

Pascal Wehrlein, a protege of the Mercedes junior driver programme, and Valtteri Bottas of Williams are also in the frame.

"Now we have to consider all options, but it will be very hard to replace him," Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said. "We will start to look at this on Monday.

"For the team, this is an unexpected situation but also an exciting one. We are going into a new era of technical regulations and there is a free Mercedes cockpit for the seasons ahead. We will take the necessary time to evaluate our options and then find the right path for our future.

"This is a brave decision by Nico and testament to the strength of his character. He has chosen to leave at the pinnacle of his career, as world champion, having achieved his childhood dream. The clarity of his judgement meant I accepted his decision straight away when he told me."

Rosberg, who becomes the first reigning Formula One champion to retire from the sport since Alain Prost in 1993, has revealed he is now looking forward to the next chapter of his life with wife Vivian, and their one-year-old daughter Alaia.

Rosberg emulated his father Keke, the 1982 world champion, after he crossed the line in second place following a tense season finale last Sunday.

''Since 25 years in racing, it has been my dream, my 'one thing' to become Formula One World Champion,'' Rosberg, who started his career with Williams in 2006, said in a statement on Facebook.

''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.''

Source: PA