Nico Rosberg may have retired as a driver but he’ll continue to work with the Mercedes team in 2017 as an ambassador.

Rosberg’s sudden retirement after winning the world championship shocked everyone, not least of which were Mercedes themselves, who were unexpectedly left without their current world champion driving for them.

It turns out Nico can’t out of his responsibilities that easily though, as it’s been announced that he’ll stay on with the team as an ambassador in 2017. That means he’ll do things like making appearances for sponsors and team partners – basically all the things racing drivers have to do apart from the bit where they, you know, race the cars.

If Hamilton thought he was rid of Rosberg once and for all, he was wrong – Nico’s first commitment in his new role will be to appear at a sponsor event in Geneva…alongside Lewis.

This is excellent news for Hamilton, who now gets to be reminded of how he was beaten to the championship every time they appear at events together, which will be great for his mental state in 2017.

It’s also an interesting insight into Mercedes’ strategy for 2017. It seems they’re choosing to sabotage Hamilton through mind games this year, rather than by using the big red button in the garage that makes his engine explode.

Nico Rosberg may have retired as a driver but he’ll continue to work with the Mercedes team in 2017 as an ambassador.

Rosberg’s sudden retirement after winning the world championship shocked everyone, not least of which were Mercedes themselves, who were unexpectedly left without their current world champion driving for them.

It turns out Nico can’t out of his responsibilities that easily though, as it’s been announced that he’ll stay on with the team as an ambassador in 2017. That means he’ll do things like making appearances for sponsors and team partners – basically all the things racing drivers have to do apart from the bit where they, you know, race the cars.

If Hamilton thought he was rid of Rosberg once and for all, he was wrong – Nico’s first commitment in his new role will be to appear at a sponsor event in Geneva…alongside Lewis.

This is excellent news for Hamilton, who now gets to be reminded of how he was beaten to the championship every time they appear at events together, which will be great for his mental state in 2017.

It’s also an interesting insight into Mercedes’ strategy for 2017. It seems they’re choosing to sabotage Hamilton through mind games this year, rather than by using the big red button in the garage that makes his engine explode.