Lewis Hamilton was one of the many attending the FIA prize winning gala in Vienna last night when his teammate, Nico Rosberg, stunned the room by announcing his retirement from racing with immediate effect. After racing alongside each other since they were in karts to dueling it out on the big stage of Formula One, the rivalry between Rosberg and Hamilton has always been mega intense.
However, while everyone else sat there stunned by Nico's announcement, Lewis admitted that he wasn't that surprised at all….
"This is the first time he's won in 18 years, hence why it was not a surprise that he decided to stop,” he told Reuters. “He's also got a family to focus on, and wants more children, and Formula 1 takes so much of your time. Will I miss the rivalry? Of course."
But it wont just be Lewis missing the rivalry between them, the whole of F1, paddock and fans will miss seeing what has been some very intense battles between them over the past few years….
"It's going to be very, very strange and it will be sad not to have him in the team next year. The sport will miss him and I wish him all the best. Of course it is a shame that he won't allow me to take it [the title] back or fight to take it back but that is his choice and I respect his decision: go out on top while you can."
Now the question on everyone's lips will be…just who will Mercedes get to replace him?
"It doesn't matter who...I'll race them, I'm here to race," said an unconcerned Lewis Hamilton.
