Lewis Hamilton reacts to Nico Rosberg's shock retirement from Formula One, but says not surprised

German Sportsman, Nico Rosberg, 31 stunned Formula One when he announced his retirement two days ago, just five days after winning his very first title and became the sport’s world champion, saying he had “climbed my mountain”.

His Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who won 10 races to Rosberg’s nine this year but was beaten by five points, on Sunday reacted to Rosberg's shock retirement from the game saying the move was not unexpected to him.

Speaking in Vienna, where Rosberg was handed the champion's trophy during a gala dinner on Friday night, Hamilton said:

“I’m probably one of the only people that it was not a surprise to. 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. 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,” said Hamilton.

 But it will be strange not having him there in the team next year.' he added.

Speaking further, Hamilton said he doesn't care who Mercedes will announce as his partner for next season :

"It doesn't matter who they put alongside me. I'll race them. I'm here to race. The focus is on next year and hoping for a better season."

"The better the driver, the better it is for me when I finish ahead of them.

"You need someone with good values coming in and representing the team in a positive way, good work ethic and consistency, obviously, so we can those win constructors' championships. "So, in terms of challenging for constructors' titles, which is obviously the team's first goal, we need to make sure we have someone equally as consistent as what we had before."