Formula One: Dad-to-be Nico Rosberg thinks of baby before lucky to escape in crash
Mercedes driver, who has a private jet on standby in case wife Vivian goes in labour, admits his confidence has been affected after spinning out 360 degrees
Nico Rosberg had every reason to stop and consider his mortality yesterday on Friday after escaping unhurt from a spectacular high-speed tyre failure during second practice at the Belgian Grand Prix.
At 30, and married for a year, he will surely have thought of his wife Vivian who is expecting their first child at any time.
He has a private plane on stand-by at Liege airport in case she goes into labour and he is needed – and the Mercedes team allow him to make a flying visit home to Monaco.
A 360 degree spin at 320km/h, or 200mph, is not something you expect at all. Luckily, I did not hit the wall
And he has just spent the last four weeks during Formula One’s annual mid-season break staying home to prepare for life as a family man.
“Things are great, she’s feeling very, very comfortable, which is nice,” said Rosberg before Friday’s accident. “Doctors say the due date is next week, so let’s see.”
He showed easy enthusiasm for life as a father when he was asked how he enjoyed his holidays.
“In the last period, before giving birth, you can’t go very far, so it was pretty much all at home. Everything’s packed, the car engine was running in the garage. I’ve prepared for all that, so we just have family cars at the moment in the garage.
