Rosberg receives enthusiastic reception in wiesbaden
The visibly drawn nico rosberg enjoyed the home bath in the crowd after the extensive celebrations in the wide world.
In his hometown of wiesbaden, the new formula 1 champion climbed the podium with his last ounce of strength to shout to the 500 or so fans: "we are world champions!"Rosberg waved a germany flag with his name and number over his black leather jacket, beamed into every cell phone camera and patiently signed fan paraphernalia of his supporters.
"I’ve been partying almost through to today," the mercedes driver said of his state of mind after the festive season, which rosberg had visibly enjoyed with his family and team since winning the title in abu dhabi. "I’m not at 100 percent, but maybe at 40," he admitted. The wiesbaden native was all the more pleased to make his first stop in europe in his home country: "when i think of germany, i think of wiesbaden. I have fond memories of my childhood," said the third german world champion in formula 1 history.
The 31-year-old also presented himself accordingly close to home. Rosberg and his family first enjoyed a portion of "handkas mit musik" (handkas with music) at the home of sven gerich (SPD), the mayor of the city of hamburg. "I’m thrilled, i hadn’t eaten that before. It’s quite tasty," said the world champion. Press appointments, an autograph session and a tour of the wiesbaden christmas market followed.
In his lightheartedness, rosberg even addressed federal president joachim gauck. "Can we meet here in wiesbaden today," the racer asked via facebook. Later he learned that gauck was not in town at all. After his triumphant ride in abu dhabi, rosberg had already virtually invited himself to OB gerich. "I would like to enjoy this time as much as possible," he said of his detour. Already in the afternoon he traveled on to his adopted home in monte carlo.
Mayor gerich initially thought the news from rosberg was a joke. "I thought to myself: so relaxed, so cool. This can’t be real, it must be a fake," the politician replied. Rosberg then had to "make a very personal call" to clarify the matter. "I was then on hold for another two and a half minutes to verify that i really was the nico," rosberg said.
For his this time beaten teammate lewis hamilton and his controversial race tactics at the season finale, the german again expressed understanding. "I can understand the team side, we always drive under certain conditions. At the same time i can understand lewis, we are fighters in the car, it’s about the world championship title. I can understand that he also goes over the limit sometimes."The third german world champion after michael schumacher and sebastian vettel reckons that his british rival will have to gnaw on his defeat "for a while.
Eventful and turbulent days ahead for rosberg. After half a day in his home town of wiesbaden and half a day in his adopted home town of monte carlo, he heads off to the mercedes factory in brackley. From there, the 31-year-old will travel on to vienna, where he will receive the trophy as world champion at a gala event. Sindelfingen and stuttgart are the next stops – rosberg will visit the mercedes plant there and be invited to dinner by dieter zetsche’s board of directors before traveling on to london for an award ceremony.
