Nico Rosberg phoned Lewis Hamilton to inform him of his decision to retire from Formula One before announcing the news.
The two have battled for the drivers' championship over the past three seasons at Mercedes, with Hamilton winning in 2014 and 2015. This year Rosberg secured the title at the final race in Abu Dhabi, before making the surprise announcement that he would retire from the sport on Friday in Vienna.
Referencing a picture of the two as young team-mates early in their careers, Rosberg said he felt the need to let Hamilton know the news before it was made public.
"I phoned Lewis myself before this here because I wanted to let him know myself," Rosberg said. "Especially after his post [on social media] yesterday I wanted to let him know."
Rosberg says the decision was an easy one to take having been reminded he had achieved his childhood dream by a family video of him karting at a young age.
"It's very simple, because I've achieved what I set out for. It's unbelievable how clear it was for me. Even when I was six years old - I don't know if you've seen the video on my Facebook - starting out in go karts I remember that was my dream already, starting out, to win the world championship. Probably inspired by my Dad. All the way through.
"Of course then it was a childhood thing and then with later years it became more and more serious as a proper target and a proper aim, going for that, and I've done it. It was a very, very tough year and I don't want to do that again."
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