Present at the FIA Prize giving ceremony at the Hofburg Palace in the Austrian capital on Friday was none other than FIA President Jean Todt and the Frenchman took the time to praise the 2016 Formula One World Champion for all his efforts throughout his career, which culminated in him winning the highest of high awards, the World Drivers Championship, in Abu Dhabi last weekend.
Rosberg, who has won 23 Grand Prix during his time in the sport, has been known to Jean Todt since he was a small boy, so his tribute to the now retiring champion came easy…
“I am very proud of Nico, he is an amazing champion,” he said. “I speak with a lot of emotion, because I knew him as a small boy. He was five, at the time I was head of Peugeot Motorsport and his father was one of the drivers of the 905 Peugeot, so I had friendly links with his father, with his mother and the little boy that was there. He has had an amazing career since then.”
“I was privileged to receive a call from [Mercedes F1 team boss] Toto Wolff this morning informing me of Nico’s decision,” added the FIA President. “I was very surprised, as I’m sure everyone is, but Nico has demonstrated across the year that he is extremely brave. I think he did five or six of the hardest laps of his life in the final race of the championship but the consequence is that he made it. So I would like to wish him many congratulations and a lot of good luck for the future, which he deserves.”
