BREAKING: Nico Rosberg shares ‘noticeable’ change Michael Schumacher ‘wouldn’t regret’ from Mercedes F1 comeback
Nico Rosberg suggests that Michael Schumacher might not have regretted his return to Formula 1 with Mercedes, but despite this belief, the 2016 champion himself has made it clear that he won’t be making a comeback to the sport. Mercedes, upon acquiring Brawn GP in 2010, brought Schumacher out of retirement, leading to him and Rosberg sharing a team for three seasons when Mercedes returned to Formula 1 as a constructor after a long hiatus since 1955. However, Schumacher’s return didn’t unfold as desired for either him or Mercedes, as the team struggled for performance. Nevertheless, Schumacher demonstrated his prowess at the Monaco GP in 2012, despite a grid penalty, by setting the fastest lap in qualifying, serving as a reminder of his exceptional skills.
Michael Schumacher returned to F1 with Mercedes from 2010 to 2012
Schumacher, who hadn’t participated in Formula 1 since 2006, teamed up with Rosberg to replace Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello at Mercedes. Despite his illustrious career, his return to the series only resulted in one podium finish, a third place at the 2012 European GP, before Lewis Hamilton took over the seat.
Mercedes chose to enlist Schumacher to lead their return as a constructor, recognizing his unparalleled achievements as the only seven-time champion at the time, boasting records for the most wins (91), poles (68), and podiums (155) in F1 from his memorable stints with Benetton and Ferrari.
Hamilton has since equaled Schumacher’s seven titles, clinching six championships for Mercedes between 2014 and 2020. Rosberg secured the 2016 title at Mercedes before promptly retiring. Additionally, Hamilton now holds the records for most wins (103), poles (104), and podiums (197).
Despite Schumacher’s relatively modest finishes in the drivers’ standings during his three-year stint with Mercedes (ninth, eighth, and 13th), Rosberg believes the legendary racer doesn’t regret his return to F1. Rosberg suggests that Schumacher embraced the opportunity to compete in F1 again at the age of 41, finding renewed vigor in the thrill of racing and intense on-track battles. Rosberg conveyed this sentiment to the Koelner Express, noting that Schumacher seemed revitalized by the experience, akin to finding the fountain of youth through his comeback.
Nico Rosberg rules out returning to F1 after Lewis Hamilton joined Ferrari
The opportunity to return to Formula 1 with Mercedes may seem enticing for Rosberg, especially after Hamilton invoked a release clause in his contract to join Ferrari for the 2025 season. Rosberg, who spent seven seasons with Mercedes from 2010 to 2016, notching up 23 wins, 55 podiums, and 30 poles during his tenure, could potentially fill the void left by Hamilton’s departure.
However, the idea of making a comeback to Formula 1 is currently not appealing to Rosberg. The 2016 champion expresses contentment with the conclusion of his career as a driver in the pinnacle of motorsport, stating that he is happy with his roles as a pundit and an active investor outside of F1.
Rosberg firmly states, “It’s over. I’m not planning a comeback.” He acknowledges that returning to competition would require intensive preparation for an extended period to retrain the brain’s synapses.
Regarding Hamilton’s decision to switch to Ferrari, Rosberg admits, “It surprised me.” However, he understands the allure of fulfilling a personal dream by driving for one of the two legendary teams in Formula 1: Ferrari and Mercedes.