Nico Rosberg has not ruled out the possibility of Max Verstappen taking a surprise retirement from F1, as he did when winning the drivers' championship in 2016.
Although it was an unorthodox move, the former Williams and Mercedes driver chose to retire at the age of 31, something he can imagine the current title holder doing.
Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 F1 season, when he will be the same age as the German when he called time on his career.
While unconventional, especially for someone of his caliber, the four-time world champion has repeatedly insisted in the past that he would be open to early retirement, despite the very real possibility that he could one day supplant Lewis Hamilton as the most successful driver in F1 history.
The Dutchman does not wish to race until the age of 40, as the British driver does, and has already declared that his next F1 contract, if there was one, would be his last.
“It's possible to see Max leave before, like I did. Max has already accomplished so much despite his young age,” analyse Rosberg.
“The intensity of Formula 1 leaves its mark, both mentally and physically. If he feels he has accomplished what he set out to do and wants something else from life, I I would understand his choice.”
Rosberg does not see his former teammate, Lewis Hamilton doing the same.
“Lewis is driven by a deep love for the sport and the desire to constantly push his limits. A change like the one he faces this year, racing for Ferrari, can reignite the passion.”
-“Lewis is already a legend, he would have nothing to prove, but his choice shows the hunger of a man who wants to continue to grow, both as a driver and as a person.”
Hamilton is now 40, more than double the age of some of the six rookies he will face in 2025. For Rosberg, he sees the challenge faced by Hamilton and Fernando Alonso as a motivating factor.
“For me, these rookies would be a motivation. When you see young people pushing their limits, you are forced to stay focused and improve every day.”
“I had two of the greatest drivers of all time as teammates – Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton – and I loved that level of challenge, it’s what motivated me.”
“These drivers are incredibly prepared and hungry for success, it was only a matter of time before we saw a change coming from the minor series.”
“The timing is perfect because 2025 will be a learning year for them as the teams get to know their F1 cars well, ahead of the new regulations in 2026, where by that time the youngsters will be prepared and ready to attack.”
