Sebastian Vettel vs Nico Rosberg

Lore & Background

Rosberg was born on 27 June 1985 in Wiesbaden, West Germany, the only child of Finnish 1982 World Champion Keke Rosberg and his German wife. He was raised primarily in Monaco. He began competitive kart racing at age six, winning regional and national French championships. He progressed to car racing at 16, winning the 2002 Formula BMW ADAC Championship. He won the inaugural GP2 Series championship in 2005. Rosberg drove in Formula One with Williams from 2006 to 2009, then moved to Mercedes in 2010, partnering Michael Schumacher. He took his first career win at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix. From 2013 to 2016, he was teammate to Lewis Hamilton, finishing runner-up twice before defeating Hamilton to win the 2016 title. He announced his retirement five days after clinching the title, citing wanting to spend more time with his family and not wanting his driving ability to atrophy.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere inside the Mercedes garage at the Yas Marina Circuit was thick with unspoken pressure. As Sebastian Vettel prepared for his final qualifying lap, he glanced across the pit lane to see Nico Rosberg staring intently at the track, a cold determination in his eyes that had been absent in years past. The noise of the hybrid engines roared like beasts, drowning out the crowd, but the silence between the two drivers was deafening. It wasn't just about points anymore; it was a final reckoning for two friends who had become enemies, destined to settle their score on the last corner of the season.

Reader's Guide

Rosberg started 206 Grands Prix, achieving 23 wins, 30 pole positions, 20 fastest laps and 57 podium finishes. He was awarded the Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year and was inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame in 2017. In retirement, he moved into driver management, television punditry, and became an eco-entrepreneur.

Did You Know?

• Rosberg competed under the German flag in Formula One from 2006 to 2016.
• He is a citizen of both Germany and Finland, but switched to a German racing license after his first season in Formula 3 Euro Series.
• He was taught five languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, but not Finnish or Swedish.
• He married interior designer Vivian Sibold in Monaco on 11 July 2014 and has two children.
• He saved a five-year-old child from drowning in Monaco.