Ferrari not expecting a "weaker" Mercedes after Rosberg's exit
Ferrari's chief executive Sergio Marchionne does not think that the Mercedes Formula 1 team will be weakened in 2017 by the shock retirement of Nico Rosberg.
Speaking at the Ferrari World Finals event in Daytona on Sunday, Marchionne said he was as surprised as everyone else over Rosberg's retirement revelation – and immediately sent a text to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
When asked by Motorsport.com for his reaction to the Rosberg news, Marchionne replied: "I sent a message over to Toto, I was flying when the news came out, and I was surprised in a sense.
"I actually complimented Rosberg for having had the courage for what he did.
"I think timing in life is everything. He's exiting the F1 season as a champion. He can't get better than that.
"I think Nico had reached an age where he'd invested a long part of his life to racing. And coming out as a champion is a culmination of his expectations.
"I compliment him for making his choice, and I'm not sure where that leaves Mercedes for 2017.
"I do not expect a weaker Mercedes at all. Let's not forget that they still have Lewis Hamilton on board, and I'm sure they'll choose a driver of equal potential calibre as they've had in the past."
Respect from Arrivabene
Team principal Maurizio Arrivabene believes Rosberg that is "looking for a different life" outside of F1, having achieved his primary goal in the sport.
"This world we are so focused on technology that sometimes we forget that we're human beings," he said. "I respect his whole decision.
"Sometimes we look left, look right and we forget that in the middle we have a heart and brain. Nico was feeling this, and looking for a different life."
Share Or Save This Story
Mika Hakkinen on his darkest day in F1
Dillon: Spotter was “wrong” to shout “wreck him!” before Hamlin clash
Hamlin: NASCAR stripping Dillon of win would be “warranted”
Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein worried about Formula E rivals “manipulating” London finale
Porsche backs Stephane Ratel over GT3's direction: "We don't want prototypes"
Why Mercedes finds other F1 teams' upgrades "scary" with its out-of-phase plan
How F1 drivers were "drooling over" Formula E's Gen4 car
Could McLaren follow Red Bull’s path with its own F1 engine – and should it?
Top 10 rookie seasons in F1
Why F1 shouldn’t be hiding its most interesting characters
100 not out: Alex Albon on Williams’s desire to atone for its 2026 struggles
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments