That was very surprising news to me, but I looked at it this way - he achieved his goal and also lived up to his father's reputation (huge pressure), toured the world and then there's testing etc. He's a young man and wants to probably settle down with his wife. It's tough to be a family man and be away so much and still compete at the highest level. Plus they move the goal posts every year, it's getting ridiculous.

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I think it takes lots of balls to do what he did - walk away from the best seat in F1.

But as you said, he has achieved his goal and that is all he wanted (and needed) to do to satisfy himself. From his account, it really took a toll on him and he wants to spend more time with his family. Reality check for all, more to life than driving around in circles as Niki Lauda once said.

It's not often you get personalities like Nico in F1, he has definitely left a really positive legacy.

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1977-1982
Gli Anni Della Febbre
Gilles Villeneuve

Bookies rate Valtteri Bottas (8/11) or Pascal Wehrlein (11/10) as the likely replacement for Nico

latest statement, an announcement on Rosberg’s replacement not until 3 Jan at the earliest

Bottas is a shoe in for the Merc seat.

According to Sky Italia, Massa has signed a GBP 5mi contract with Williams for 2017, coming out of a very short retirement. It has yet to be announced.

I can't find any sites offering bets on the Merc seat.

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1977-1982
Gli Anni Della Febbre
Gilles Villeneuve

currently, betfair
Valtteri Bottas 2/15
Nico Hulkenberg 20/21
Esteban Ocon 38/5
Pascal Wehrlein 9
Paul di Resta 66/5
Jenson Button 69/5
Others 20/1 & over

Cheers grizzle, I had not seen that.

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1977-1982
Gli Anni Della Febbre
Gilles Villeneuve

next season f1 early market

Lewis Hamilton 5/4
Max Verstappen 4/1
Daniel Ricciardo 4/1
Valtteri Bottas 5/1
Sebastian Vettel 16/1
others 33/1 & over

Might be a case of "wait & see" before placing any worthwhile bets

For 2017,,cars will be wider,,heavier & run on fatter tyres
Wings will also be wider,,with the rear wing lower than is currently the case

as expected the new Mercedes F1 driver is Valtteri Bottas