MONACO, February 13, 2017 – Formula Onechampion Nico Rosberg spoke ahead of the Laureus Sports Awards, being held inMonaco this year, about what made 2017 special for him. The German racer spokeabout his relation with former rival and world champions Lewis Hamilton and hisexpectations for the upcoming season.

After finishing second in the Formula OneWorld Championships to Mercedes teammate Hamilton in 2014 and 2015, the Germanfinally made the breakthrough in 2016 to win the title for the first time inhis 10-year racing career.

For that, the 31-year-old champion – now officiallyretired - has been nominated for the “Breakthrough of the Year” category at the2017 Laureus Awards amid tough competition with England champions Leicesterfootball club, Euro 2016 quarter finalists Iceland, Ethiopian athlete Almaz Ayanawho broke the world record by over 14 seconds to win gold at the Rio Olympicsin the women’s 10 000 meters among others.

 “Itis the biggest award in the world of sports. It’s been there for 17 years. Thelist of winners over the years is incredible. I hope I will be able to win ittomorrow night, it will be so special for me. It’s not going to be easy ofcourse,” Rosberg said.

Mercedes team has dominated thechampionship recently by winning the title for the past three years. Finnishdriver Valtteri Bottas has been announced as Rosberg’s replacement for the 2017season.

“Mercedes is an incredible team and thereis a good chance that they are going to be at the front but the rules aretotally different starting this year, everybody has to start from zero withthose new regulations. Nobody knows, it will be interesting how things will go.Mercedes biggest threat is Red bull,” the German said.

Monacotradition

Rosberg has won the Monaco Grand Prix threetimes in a row between 2013 and 2015 and there is no better place to speakabout this race than in the city itself.

“It is a legendary track and the mostdifficult and challenging of all. It’s a glamorous and spectacular race so itwas an honor for me to win it three times in a row.”

Lewis Hamilton

Hamiltonand Rosberg spent four seasons together as teammates at Mercedes battling forthe title in three of them but with the German announcing his retirement just31 days after winning the title, he ended one of the fiercest rivalries in thesport’s history after numerous of controversial on-track incidents between thetwo drivers.

And when asked about an advice to give toHamilton new teammate Bottas, Nico said: “Don’t expect an easy ride [laughs].It is going to be challenging because the level is extremely high. But I willstay neutral and not give any Lewis secret. Valtteri will be his biggest rivaland then Red Bull.”

“Itwill take time to find our way, we had some nice relaxed moments and we areopen to have good relations in the future. We were best friends 15 years ago.”

Rosberg’s compatriot Sebastien Vettel is afour-time world champion having won them in a row between 2010 and 2013 withRed Bull Racing but has ended third and fourth in the past two seasons sincesigning with Ferrari.

“Ferrari will take time to become the bestteam in the future. But I guess that Vettel and Mercedes should consider eachother especially that he doesn’t have a contract for 2018. He is one of thebest drivers out there so they should explore the possibilities.”

Retirement

Even though Rosberg has announced hisretirement from F1, he still feel that he has to give back to the sports thatmade him who he is now.

“I am exploring new challenges; I want togive something back. Life gave me success and an amazing family. My main focusis to found projects I am passionate about, start with children especially thatthis is what Laureus is about.”

Nico earned his love for Formula One fromhis Finnish father Keijo Erik Rosberg, the 1982 world champion and they havebecome only the second father-son partnership to hold a Formula One world titleapiece.

The German has a one-year old daughter butwhen asked about whether he would like to see his future children following hisand father’s steps, he said: “The most important thing is to let them findtheir own ways and chose their paths.”

Rosberg will be among a lot of sportscelebrities who will attend the Laureus Awards ceremony and will be eyinganother new win.

Follow Rayane Moussallem on Twitter @RioMoussallem