Hamilton not surprised by Rosberg’s decision
Lewis Hamilton admitted he wasn't surprised when Nico Rosberg announced his decision to retire from Formula 1. The Briton, who has been very close to the German throughout his career, salutes the 2016 world champion and respects his choice.
The announcement of Nico Rosberg has caused a stir in the world of motorsport. The new reigning world champion has indeed decided to end his career and retire from Formula 1 as of today.
While many actors or observers of Formula 1 have given their comments on this news, the most anticipated reaction was surely that of his biggest rival, Lewis Hamilton.
The Briton, who has known Rosberg since childhood, said he was not surprised by the choice of his now former teammate: “I’m probably one of the only people not to be surprised. But that’s because I’ve known him for a long time,” said the three-time world champion at the FIA awards ceremony in Vienna.
« It’s the first time he’s won against me in 18 years of competition, so it’s no surprise that he’s stopping. But he also has a family he wants to focus on, a child; and Formula 1 takes up a lot of your time. We started at the age of 13 and always talked about being world champion. When I joined Mercedes, Nico was already there. And it’s something we’ve always talked about since we were little. » continues Hamilton.
The Briton also doesn’t fail to pay tribute to his rival but nevertheless friend: “It will be very strange and it will be sad not to have him by my side in the team next year. He will be missed in this sport and I wish him the best,” concluded the Mercedes driver.
