Nico Rosberg discusses life in retirement after dad called him 'crazy' for quitting F1

Nico Rosberg has opened up on the pressure he faced as the son of 1982 Formula One champion Keke Rosberg, before going on to match his father’s achievement and promptly call time on his career.

Keke Rosberg became the first Finnish driver to win the title 22 years ago, clinching the championship by five points over Didier Pironi, winning just one race that season as the Frenchman missed the final four Grands Prix due to injuries.

The original Flying Finn’s legacy speaks for itself, with his son following in that same path. He even managed Nico’s earlier career before stepping back to let him fend for himself, though Rosberg Jr has since admitted that there were both peaks and troughs in being the son of a motorsport icon.

“I recently came across an article highlighting an interesting statistic: despite having more opportunities, only a fraction of children from affluent or highly successful families reach the same level of success as their parents,” Rosberg wrote on Linkedin.

“Shortly after reading this, I was asked how I managed the pressure of having a World Champion father during the TUM Speaker Series.

“Growing up as Keke Rosberg's son wasn't just about following in his footsteps- it came with relentless scrutiny and comparison. The pressure was real. People expected me to match or surpass his achievements.

“But instead of being overwhelmed by it, I used that pressure as fuel to drive me further. It forced me to work harder, sharpen my focus, and, most importantly, find my own path.”

And he duly forged his own way into motorsport. It was one intertwined with a certain Lewis Hamilton, with the pair meeting throughout their youth days only to end up as team-mates with Mercedes.

But not before starting out in F1 with Williams, the team his father won a title with, spending three years there before joining Michael Schumacher at the Silver Arrows.

Alongside the iconic German in the twilight of his career, Rosberg scored his first race victory in China and then soon found himself working alongside a familiar face when Hamilton made the switch from McLaren.

Under the guidance of Toto Wolff, Mercedes soon moved away from the midfield and into title challengers, with Rosberg twice finishing as runner-up to Hamilton before then finally winning a championship in 2016.

After a dramatic finish in Abu Dhabi, Rosberg’s 25 years of hard work had paid off, but the effort had taken an almighty toll.

Five days after being crowned champion, Rosberg announced his immediate retirement from F1, shocking the motorsport world and even his father. But after reaching the pinnacle of the sport he was no longer interested in the same level of commitment.

“When I retired from Formula 1 after winning the 2016 World Championship, it wasn't about stepping away from success- it was about stepping toward something new,” Rosberg explained further on social media as he outlined his post-retirement vision. “Many, including my dad, didn't understand at first- he even said: ‘You're crazy!’

“But I believed in the future of electric mobility, and I trusted my vision of having a future as a sustainability and VC entrepreneur. It wasn't easy going against the grain or the expectations of those around me, but that's the essence of entrepreneurship- taking calculated risks, even when it challenges conventional thinking.

“In business and in life, success is not just about following the path laid out before you- it's about innovating, taking ownership of your journey, and having the courage to pursue what truly excites you.”