The reigning world champion in Formula One, made a shocking move. Nico Rosberg has decided to quit racing. The German announced his desire to step away from racing ahead of FIA ceremony in Vienna, Austria.  The 31-year-old then went to his Facebook page after the event to stress his desire to walk away from racing. 

"It's a very special day today of course, as you know to receive the trophy this evening is going to be amazing, but for another reason as well. I want to take the opportunity to announce that I have decided (on Monday) to end my Formula One career in this moment here. And yeah to explain - it's been, ever since I started, aged six-years-old I had a very, very clear dream and that was to become Formula One world champion."

"And that was very, very clear in my mind, as long as I can think, when I was growing up, now I've achieved that - I've put everything into it for 25 years of racing and with the help of everyone around me, with the help of the fans, and with the help of my friends, of my team and my family and everybody - I have managed to achieve that this year, so it's been an incredible experience for me which I will remember forever and yeah so - at the same time it's been very, very tough also because the last two years losing to Lewis (Hamilton) were extremely difficult moments for me which fuelled my motivation in a way that I didn't even know was possible to fight back and to achieve my dream finally," he said.

The shocking decision comes five days after winning his maiden world championship, the move was a shock in the motor sports world. Rosberg says the main reason for the decision, was the toll the season had taken on his family life. The German said he wasn't interested in compromising his career or his family life. Rosberg won the title on the final day -- beating out teammate Lewis Hamilton by just five points in the overall standings. Formula One's latest world champion made special mention of his father Keke, who won the title back in 1982. They are just the second father and son pair to win world titles.  Rosberg won 23 races and secured 30 pole positions in a Formula One career that spanned 11 seasons. 

"Of course we discussed it because this is a life changing event. We couldn't take this lightly and of course it has been discussed. I will find my way, I'm looking forward to it - I will have a great time," Nico Rosberg said.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the times ahead, like Christmas, just to relax for a change. Because as you know Nico was always training, every day of his life was dedicated to Formula One. And that this is over now makes me really happy," said Vivian Sibold, his wife.