This is how Rosberg told Wolff about his retirement

Just five days after cinching the World Championship title in 2016, Nico Rosberg announced his retirement from Formula 1. Now, he has shared his memories of how he broke the news to Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff. 

Rosberg's career with Mercedes

Rosberg joined the team in 2010 and raced alongside Michael Schumacher. That year, he finished seventh in the World Driver's Championship with 142 points. In 2013, the team saw the arrival of 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. The two developed one of F1's most fiercest rivalries, often referred to as 'Brocedes'.

The two battled it out for the championship, with Hamilton winning in both 2014 and 2015. However, in 2016 it was Rosberg's time to win. The fight for the title went down to the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, with Rosberg in the end securing the championship.

Just five days later, he announced his retirement from Formula 1. Despite having two years left on his contract, Wolff agreed to release Rosberg and instead replaced him with Valterri Bottas. Hamilton continued to win every championship until 2021 when he was succeeded by Red Bull's Max Verstappen. 

How did Rosberg tell Wolff?

“So we flew back together. We were actually sitting together on the flight. Even having dinner on the flight together. But I was scared that I would burst out in tears because I was so tired also by that time. We didn't sleep anymore. We were just partying all the time, going nuts," Rosberg said on the Business of Sport podcast.

"I was really scared that I would burst out in tears if I mentioned this now. And so I decided I'm going to chicken out. And then I just called him right when he left the plane." 

Would Rosberg return to Mercedes?

The German and Finnish former racing driver has expressed no interest in returning to the sport.  Recently, he told Sky Sports: "I’m done with that! Even though there would be an opportunity at Mercedes." 

Instead, he was seen providing commentary and interviews at the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend, which returned for the first time since 2019. Online, fans praised Rosberg for his contribution across the weekend.