Rosberg rules out racing in Formula E

Last December the German made the shock announcement that he would not continue in F1, just days after clinching the 2016 title in Abu Dhabi with Mercedes.

Rosberg said he made the decision so he could spend more time with his young family but did not rule out racing in another category in the future.

He has since taken on an ambassadorial role with Mercedes, which has an option to enter FE in the 2018/19 season.

That led to some speculation that Rosberg could be a part of a future programme in the electric single-seater series, but he has ruled that out.

"No, I don't think so," he said at the SPOBIS summit in Germany when asked if he thought he would become involved in the championship.

"I'm interested in Formula E. It's certainly increasing very quickly.

"We're seeing how much success it's having. It's very new, it's going in a different direction.

"It's cool to follow. It has a good future and I'm definitely interested in it."

Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag said he had "big respect" for Rosberg's F1 retirement but would welcome him should he choose to return to racing.

He told Autosport: "I would obviously love to have Nico in Formula E, but I think he is quite decided at the moment not to race anymore.

"If he ever changes his mind, our door is wide open for him."

Rosberg would not be the first F1 world champion to race in FE - 1997 champion Jacques Villeneuve is one of 19 F1 drivers to have competed in the series since its inaugural race in 2014.

Seven of the 20 drivers on the current grid have started a grand prix, including 2015/16 series champion Sebastien Buemi and runner-up Lucas di Grassi, while Williams F1 driver Felipe Massa is due to test Jaguar's FE car this week.