F1 legend struggling with serious health problems

Keke Rosberg has revealed he is suffering through some serious health issues, including long Covid and deteriorating eye sight.

The 1982 F1 drivers' champion, who won his title with Williams, has not attended a grand prix for a number of years, but stepped away from the paddock just after his son, Nico, joined Mercedes in 2010.

In a rare interview with Finnish publication APU, the 76-year-old explained why he retired from the public eye, feeling he no longer had a place in F1 and was only answering questions about Nico.

"I couldn't continue. I categorically ended everything and became a hermit," he stated.

The younger Rosberg would go on to win an F1 drivers' championship too, defeating Lewis Hamilton across the titanic 2016 season.

Despite his own achievements, which include five grand prix victories as well as his own crown, Rosberg maintains his son's title is the highlight of his career.

"Definitely Nico's world championship title," he replied when asked. "Especially in terms of our family history, that was a milestone."

However, Rosberg's solitary life took a turn for the worse when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the effects of which he is still living with.

"The understanding of long Covid is still largely unknown," he said. "There are a great many people who are suffering severely from it."

"For me, too, it's a secondary condition - one that has been exacerbated by the isolation. I have hardly any energy left. I used to have a list of things that still needed to be done. I still have a list - but with things I won't be able to do anymore."

Rosberg went on to add he had recently consulted a specialist, in large part due to his failing eyesight.