Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nico Rosberg

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Nico Rosberg made an impact.

Nico Rosberg is a German-Finnish former Formula One driver. He competed under the German flag from 2006 to 2016, driving for Williams and Mercedes. His career culminated in winning the 2016 Formula One World Drivers' Championship with Mercedes. Over his 11 seasons, Rosberg secured 23 Grand Prix victories, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the sport. Following his championship win, he retired from Formula One.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1993: Alain Prost retirement

In December 2016, Nico Rosberg retired from Formula One. He was the first reigning champion to retire from Formula One since Alain Prost in 1993.

1995: Inspired by Father's DTM Racing to Aim for Formula One

In 1995, Nico Rosberg observed his father competing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM), which inspired him to pursue a career in Formula One motor racing.

1996: Won the Côte d'Azur Mini-Kart Regional Championship

In 1996, Nico Rosberg won the Côte d'Azur Mini-Kart Regional Championship.

1997: Won Trophee Jérôme Bernard and Trophee de France

In 1997, Nico Rosberg won the Trophee Jérôme Bernard and the Trophee de France.

1998: Progressed to European karting championships

In 1998, Nico Rosberg progressed to the European karting championships, competing in the 100 Junior category in a CRG kart.

1999: Runner-up in the Italian Junior Karting Championship

In 1999, Nico Rosberg was the runner-up in the Italian Junior Karting Championship.

1999: Father requested to establish a separate karting team

In late 1999, Rosberg's father asked CRG executive Dino Chiesa to establish a separate karting team for his son and Lewis Hamilton.

2000: Raced for TeamMBM.com (Mercedes-Benz McLaren)

In 2000, Nico Rosberg raced for TeamMBM.com (Mercedes-Benz McLaren).

2001: Competed in karting championships

In 2001, Nico Rosberg participated in the South Garda Winter Cup and the Formula Super A World Championship, concluding his karting career with a third-place finish in the latter series.

2001: Competed in Formula BMW Junior Cup Iberia

In 2001, at the age of 16, Nico Rosberg competed in three races for the Formula BMW Junior Cup Iberia, finishing 18th in the Drivers' Championship.

2002: Won the 2002 Formula BMW ADAC Championship

In 2002, Nico Rosberg won the Formula BMW ADAC Championship with VIVA Racing, securing nine race victories.

November 2003: Tested a Formula 3000 car and entered Macau Grand Prix

In November 2003, Nico Rosberg tested a Formula 3000 car and entered the Macau Grand Prix with Carlin Motorsport.

2003: Moved to Formula 3 Euro Series

In 2003, Nico Rosberg moved to the higher-tier Formula 3 Euro Series with Team Rosberg.

January 2004: Tested for Williams in a modified FW25A car

In January 2004, Nico Rosberg tested twice for Williams in a modified FW25A car at the Circuit de Catalunya, as the team evaluated his ability as a test driver.

2004: Compared BCN Competicion's form in the 2004 International Formula 3000 Championship

In 2004, Nico Rosberg compared BCN Competicion's form in the International Formula 3000 Championship, which factored into his decision making for his racing career.

2004: Competed in the Formula 3 Euro Series

In 2004, Nico Rosberg continued to compete in the Formula 3 Euro Series with Team Rosberg, winning two races at the Hockenheimring and one at the Nürburgring, finishing fourth in the Drivers' Championship.

April 2005: Signed by Williams as a test driver

In April 2005, Nico Rosberg was signed by Williams as its second test driver.

October 2005: Assured of a role on Williams team

In October 2005, Nico Rosberg was assured of a role on the Williams team as either a racer or test driver for 2006.

2005: Focused on GP2 Series and chose ART Grand Prix

In 2005, Nico Rosberg focused on his GP2 Series career, choosing to drive for ART Grand Prix after being persuaded by the team founders.

2005: Won the inaugural GP2 Series championship with ART Grand Prix

In 2005, Nico Rosberg won the inaugural GP2 Series championship with ART Grand Prix.

2006: Contract to race for Williams in 2006

In 2006, Nico Rosberg signed a contract to race for Williams, with the team aiming to provide him with car acclimatisation.

2006: First Formula One Season with Williams

In 2006, Nico Rosberg started his Formula One career with Williams.

2006: Improvement from 2006

In 2006, Williams restructured itself to become more efficient and began employing more experienced and capable personnel, leading to a major improvement in Rosberg's performance during the 2007 season.

2007: Improved Performance

In 2007, Nico Rosberg's performances improved greatly due to Williams restructuring and employing more experienced personnel.

2008: Achieved two podium finishes for Williams

In 2008, Nico Rosberg achieved two podium finishes while racing for Williams.

2008: Linked to several teams and contract extension

In 2008, Nico Rosberg's performances led to links with several teams, including an offer from McLaren to replace Fernando Alonso, which Williams rejected. Rosberg's contract was then extended to the end of 2009.

2008: 2008 World Champion

In 2013, Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 World Champion, joined Mercedes alongside Nico Rosberg

2008: First podium finish at Australian Grand Prix and season challenges

In the 2008 season, Nico Rosberg experienced his first podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix, finishing third. However, the rest of his campaign faced challenges due to the FW30 car's performance and slow development by Williams. He finished 13th in the WDC with 17 points.

2009: Continued Racing for Williams

In 2009, Nico Rosberg continued to race for Williams in Formula One.

2009: Improved season with Williams

In 2009, Nico Rosberg had an improved season, compensating for the kinetic energy recovery systems by losing weight. Driving the Williams FW31, he led the Malaysian Grand Prix and consistently finished in points-paying positions, achieving a season-best fourth at the German and Hungarian Grand Prix. He finished seventh in the WDC with 34.5 points.

2009: Contract extended and desire to remain

In 2009, Nico Rosberg's contract was extended to the end of the year based on Williams' Constructors' Championship finish. He expressed his desire to remain with the team, contingent on receiving a competitive car.

2009: Talks with Mercedes and departure from Williams

In mid-to-late 2009, Nico Rosberg discussed driving for Mercedes-Benz in 2010, pending their acquisition of Brawn GP. He confirmed his departure from Williams and was officially released on January 1, 2010.

January 2010: Official release from Williams

On January 1, 2010, Nico Rosberg was officially released from his contract with Williams. One week later, Mercedes purchased 75 percent of Brawn GP, employing Rosberg to drive for the team alongside Michael Schumacher.

2010: Association with Thomas Sabo

From 2010 to 2015, Nico Rosberg was associated with the jewellery and watch brand Thomas Sabo.

2010: Moved to Mercedes, partnering Michael Schumacher

In 2010, Nico Rosberg moved to Mercedes, partnering with Michael Schumacher.

November 2011: Contract extension with Mercedes

In November 2011, Nico Rosberg signed a contract extension to remain at Mercedes until after 2013 due to the team's technical restructure and his belief in their potential for improvement.

2011: Mixed season with Mercedes

In 2011, Nico Rosberg had a mixed season with Mercedes, leading the Chinese and Belgian Grand Prix but struggling with Pirelli tyre wear. He consistently qualified higher than Michael Schumacher but finished no higher than fifth in any race, ending the season seventh in the WDC with 89 points.

2012: First Career Win at the Chinese Grand Prix

In 2012, Nico Rosberg achieved his first career win at the Chinese Grand Prix.

2012: Teamed with Ein Herz für Kinder

In 2012, Nico Rosberg teamed with the children's aid organisation Ein Herz für Kinder (German: A Heart for Children) and has raised capital for the charity through various events.

2012: Linked to Ferrari

In 2012, the press linked Nico Rosberg with a move to Ferrari to replace Felipe Massa, who was underperforming. Ultimately, Rosberg stayed with Mercedes.

2013: Joined by Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

In 2013, Lewis Hamilton joined Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, replacing the retired Michael Schumacher. Rosberg was granted equal status and assisted in the development of the F1 W04 car.

2013: Teammate of Lewis Hamilton

In 2013, Nico Rosberg became the teammate of Lewis Hamilton, his former karting friend.

2013: Mercedes contract

In 2013, Nico Rosberg was under contract with Mercedes, due to the extension signed in November 2011.

2014: Championship contention and energy recovery system failure

In 2014, Nico Rosberg was considered a favorite for the WDC due to Mercedes' development of the F1 W05 Hybrid car. Despite leading the championship at various points and winning multiple races, an energy recovery system failure in Singapore and other issues led to him finishing second in the WDC with 317 points.

2015: Association with Tumi

From 2010 to 2015, Nico Rosberg was associated with the luxury travel accessory maker Tumi.

2015: #DriveForGood Campaign

From the 2015 Chinese Grand Prix to the season-ending 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg accumulated €160,900 for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation as part of a campaign called #DriveForGood, where €100 was donated for every kilometre he led in a Formula One race.

2015: Contract and Runner-up finish

In 2015, Nico Rosberg continued to drive for Mercedes and sought to correct a body deficiency. Despite wins in Spain, Monaco, and Austria, retirements and errors prevented him from winning the championship, ultimately finishing as runner-up with 322 points.

2015: Carrying form from 2015 season

Nico Rosberg carried over his form from the 2015 season, winning the first four races in 2016. He and Hamilton made high-speed contact at the Spanish Grand Prix. Niki Lauda visited Rosberg's home to help him regain his confidence. Rosberg changed his diet to remove sugars from his body and abstained from alcohol.

December 2016: Public announcement of retirement

On December 2, 2016, five days after winning the championship, Nico Rosberg made public his decision to retire at an FIA Prize Giving Ceremony in Vienna. He cited reaching the "pinnacle" of his career, a desire to avoid skill atrophy, and a wish to spend more time with his family as reasons.

2016: Preparation for the 2016 season

Before the 2016 season, Nico Rosberg made several changes to improve his performance, including altering his racing gloves, removing paint from his helmet, employing a mental trainer, and studying philosophy and sleep patterns. He focused on family and winning the next event.

2016: Contract and Runner-up finish

In 2016, Nico Rosberg was under contract with Mercedes worth a reported €55 million. During the 2015 season, he had a runner-up finish with 322 points.

2016: Won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship with Mercedes

In 2016, Nico Rosberg won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship with Mercedes.

2016: Won Formula One World Drivers' Championship

In 2016, Nico Rosberg won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship, defeating his teammate Lewis Hamilton.

July 2017: Visit to Formula E headquarters

In July 2017, Nico Rosberg visited the headquarters of the all-electric Formula E racing series and became fascinated by the e-mobility movement.

October 2017: Joined Team Rosberg as an advisor

In October 2017, Nico Rosberg joined Team Rosberg as an advisor for its ADAC GT Masters sports car championship team in 2018.

April 2018: Reduced involvement with Robert Kubica

In April 2018, Nico Rosberg reduced his involvement with Robert Kubica to focus on his business career.

2018: Existing contract end

In 2018, Nico Rosberg was due to come to the end of a two-year contract with Mercedes, signed mid-2016.

2018: Investment in Formula E

In early 2018, Nico Rosberg became a long-term investor and shareholder in Formula E, focusing on European start-up technology and e-mobility companies.

February 2019: Launch of Greentech Festival

In February 2019, Nico Rosberg launched the annual Greentech Festival trade fair in Berlin with Sven Krüger and Marco Voigt, showcasing sustainable technologies.

April 2019: Declined offer to drive RS5 DTM

In April 2019, Nico Rosberg declined an offer from the Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass to drive an RS5 DTM as a wild-card entrant in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) because he did not feel fit enough to return to racing.

June 2020: Donation to NAACP

In response to the murder of George Floyd, in June 2020, Nico Rosberg donated €10,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund to aid its efforts in educating the public on racism and ending segregation.

2020: Heineken anti-drink-drive campaign

In 2020, Nico Rosberg was part of Heineken's anti-drink-drive campaign, including appearing with his father in an advertisement for zero-alcohol beer.

2020: Rosberg established RXR

In late 2020, Nico Rosberg established Rosberg X Racing (RXR), using parts of his father's DTM team, to compete in the all-electric SUV off-road racing series Extreme E.

2021: RXR competed in Extreme E

In 2021, Rosberg X Racing (RXR) competed in the all-electric SUV off-road racing series Extreme E, with Johan Kristoffersson and Molly Taylor as drivers.

2022: Launch of Rosberg Philanthropies

In 2022, Nico Rosberg launched the non-profit organisation Rosberg Philanthropies that focuses on environmental protection and supporting children.

2022: RXR missed out on retaining the constructors' title

In 2022, Rosberg X Racing (RXR) narrowly missed out on retaining the Extreme E constructors' title by two points to Lewis Hamilton's Team X44.

December 2024: RXR to cease operations in Extreme E

In December 2024, Nico Rosberg announced that Rosberg X Racing (RXR) would cease operations in Extreme E, due to the racing series being replaced by Extreme H for 2025.