2016 Formula One World Championship podiums, Rosberg beat teammate and defending World Champion Lewis Hamilton by five points. In doing so, Rosberg followed the success of his father in and became the second son of a champion to become champion himself, a feat previously achieved by Damon Hill. Rosberg announced his retirement from the sport shortly after winning the title. As of 2018, this was the only season in the 2010s decade won by a driver other than Sebastian Vettel or Lewis Hamilton. In the World Constructors' Championship, Mercedes successfully defended their title for the second consecutive year, beating Red Bull Racing by 297 points.
Sebastian Vettel his life achievements, on his behalf, along with Schumacher's long-term manager Sabine Kehm a year later. Vettel also made an emotional speech commemorating Schumacher's achievements in the sport. The two of them had got to know each other well from racing together in Formula One and in the Race of Champions and are – along with Nico Rosberg – the only German Formula One title winners. In 2014, Vettel cited Schumacher as one of his inspirations in becoming a Ferrari driver from 2015 saying; ""When I was a kid, Michael Schumacher in the red car was my greatest idol and