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2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg says Max Verstappen’s talk of early retirement “started in the year when he battled Hamilton”.
Soon after Max Verstappen won his first F1 world title in F1 (under very controversial circumstances), he started talking about a possible retirement.
Although the Dutch driver is only 25 years old, he has said on numerous occasions that that he does not intend to drive into his 30s, suggesting he might even retire at the end of his current deal with Red Bull, which expires in 2028.
Nico Rosberg, who retired at the end of 2016, after three years of intense battles with Lewis Hamilton, says he believes Verstappen’s 2021 title battle with Hamilton made him to consider early retirement.
“That talk from him [about possible retirement] started in the year when he battled Hamilton,” Rosberg said on Sky Sports.
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“Where he said ‘I won’t go on for very long if every year is like that’. Those battles are so fierce and intense, it takes a lot of the fun away as well.
“The sport will always be an intense environment, especially when you are fighting for championships every year.
“You are the guy who has it all to lose. Every expectation is you are going to win over and over, it’s quite demanding.
“I can’t put myself in his shoes. Money-wise he’s done, he has so much he won’t have to work again or worry again.
“Record-wise he’s already one of the best of all time by the end of this year,” the German concluded.
