Nico Rosberg proud to follow dad’s footsteps

F1 Update – Nico Rosberg says “one of the most emotional parts” of clinching a maiden Formula 1 title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was following in the footsteps of his father, Keke.

Rosberg, backed into the pack by Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, held on for second position in a tense finale at Yas Marina, and thus ended the season five points clear.

Rosberg’s father secured the crown with Williams back in 1982, meaning the pair became only the second dad/son combination to win titles, after Graham and Damon Hill.

“It’s one of the most emotional parts of it to achieve what my dad did,” said Rosberg.

“My parents had prepared a video of me during my very first couple of days in a go-kart; when I saw it, I cried my eyes out, thinking of the support from both my parents across all those years.”

Rosberg says he has experienced “some unbelievable emotions” this week.

“I’m pretty tired after some hard partying in Abu Dhabi and I’ve got a few bruises, too, from how hard we celebrated with my friends,” the German driver went on to comment.

“It’s just an amazing feeling to think I have achieved that childhood dream and I’m World Champion.

“I have been working towards it since 25 years, my whole life, and it was extremely intense out there on Sunday, touch-and-go at times and it could have been really hairy to lose the championship.

“But afterwards, it was amazing to share it with everybody, especially with the team. Mercedes is my racing family in Formula 1 and we have been in this together since day one in 2010.”

Category: Formula One