Lewis Hamilton admits he will miss his rivalry with Nico Rosberg

So verkündet Nico Rosberg sein Karriereende | Formel 1

Lewis Hamilton has revealed he was not surprised by Nico Rosberg"s decision to retire from Formula One, but admits he will miss the intense rivalry with his former Mercedes team-mate.

Rosberg shocked the racing world with his announcement on Friday that he would be quitting the sport just five days after winning his first ever driver"s championship.

The German has thanked his wife Vivian for her patience this year, and Hamilton believes a desire to spend more time with his family has played a key role in his decision.

Lewis Hamilton congratulates Nico Rosberg on his Championship win in Abu Dhabi

"This is the first time he"s won (a title) in 18 years, hence why it was not a surprise that he decided to stop," the triple world champion told reporters ahead of the governing FIA"s gala prize-giving in Vienna.

"He"s also got a family to focus on, and wants more children, and Formula One takes so much of your time. Will I miss the rivalry? Of course.

"We started out when we were 13 and we"d always talked about being champions," he said. "When I joined this team, Nico was there, which was again something we talked about when we were kids."

The Mercedes drivers endured a frosty relationship during their time as team-mates

The British driver also added that he too may be walking away from the sport in the near future.

When asked about his own future today, Hamilton told reporters he does not have any immediate plans to stop, but mused: "Who knows, maybe my end is coming soon."

The recently-crowned world champion Rosberg revealed his shock decision to leave Formula One after a gruelling season going toe-to-toe with his bitter rival and Mercedes team-mate.

Rosberg has announced his retirement just five days after becoming Formula One champion

And the German felt it only right to inform the British driver of his intention to quit the sport before going public.

"I informed Lewis myself before this, it is the right way to do it," said Rosberg.

"We had so many battles and so many moments so I thought correct to let him know of my decision and especially in light of his post yesterday, which was kind of him.

"Maybe we can have a discussion tonight.

The picture Lewis Hamilton used in a message to Nico Rosberg to congratulate him on his title

"It has been so short notice. The priority was to let team know as quickly as possible. A bit of a compromise for me in not taking enough time to notify everyone who was close to me so I sent Lewis a message."

Hamilton had made his attempt to rebuild a fractured relationship between the pair on Thursday when he posted a message congratulating Rosberg on Instagram.

Accompanied with a picture of the pair from their junior days, Hamilton wrote: "We said we"d be champions back then, now we both are! Congratulations Nico, you did everything a champion needed to do. Well deserved."

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-3994692/Nico-Rosberg-reveals-told-Lewis-Hamilton-plan-retire.html