Nico Rosberg has no plans to return to Grand Prix racing (Image: Getty)
Former world champions returning to F1 after retirement is not uncommon—Kimi Raikkonen, , and have all done so in the modern era—but has no plans to join that cohort.
After helping establish themselves as the dominant force of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014, Rosberg looked destined to end his time with the Silver Arrows as the perennial bridesmaid.
He finished runner-up to in 2014 and 2015, watching on empty-handed as his team-mate enjoyed the fruits of years of hard work. However, after starting the 2016 campaign with four successive Grand Prix victories, Rosberg sensed an opportunity and seized it with both hands.
The German racer fended off a late-season charge from Hamilton, securing the title with four second-place finishes in a row. He followed up the crowning moment of his career by announcing an early retirement that left the whole paddock in shock.
However, Rosberg has since been fleetingly linked with a return to the sport, although he has vehemently denied any desire to return to the cockpit of an F1 car. This is despite remaining in the paddock as a pundit and occasional co-commentator for Sky Sports F1.
“That’s over, I’m not planning a comeback,” he told last year. “I have great respect for the danger. I couldn’t just do that either. I would have to prepare intensively for a whole year if only to train the synapses in my brain.
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Nico Rosberg became a world champion in 2016… and then retired (Image: Getty)
“A racing driver has to react super-fast at top speed and be precise. I’ve lost that after the long break. The muscles are also put under so much strain just to hold the steering wheel with all the centrifugal forces.”
Another retired former champion who has been linked with a motorsport return is Sebastian Vettel. The legendary former and driver was touted as a potential replacement for both and the Maranello-bound last year but was not called out of retirement.
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Vettel was also linked with a drive in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans with German manufacturer Porsche, but this did not materialise in 2024, and according to , the project is on hold due to ‘family reasons’.
Instead, the four-time world champion is dedicating his time to the future of sustainable agriculture. Vettel has already sat written exams for his agricultural degree at BBZ Pfaeffikon, and will reportedly take his oral exams in April and May ahead of the completion of his programme.