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Rosberg's rocky road to recognition - but not acceptance

Nico Rosberg's detractors have been high in number at times, and the retiring Formula 1 world champion deserves more than that

That Nico Rosberg retired immediately after punching aside the demeaning burden of the 'son of...' mantle was surprising, yet certainly not shocking. Here was a driver who achieved the absolute pinnacle of his career, yet, even as he tearfully celebrated with wife Vivian and parents - 1982 Fomula 1 world champion Keke and Sine - "only the second son of a..." comments were whispered in Abu Dhabi's paddock.

Just what did Nico need to do to be accepted in the paddock as his own man, as just plain 'Nico', or as 'Nico the driver who beat arguably fastest man of his generation to the championship over the longest season in history in the same car'? Score a second title, only to become known as the 'first son to beat his own father's championship record'?

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