'Not Lewis again!' - Mercedes boss Zetsche confounded by Rosberg retirement

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Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zetsche was the first man Toto Wolff called when Nico Rosberg told him that had called it a day on his career as an F1 driver.

The German executive's first reaction when Wolff's name blinked on his phone was, 'Not Lewis again!'. But when learning the true reason for the call, Zetsche admitted to have been caught by surprise.

"I was stepping out of the shower lacking any clothes - which I normally do when I get out of the shower! And my phone was ringing,” Zetsche told Autocar.

"And I saw it was Toto [Wolff, Mercedes F1 boss] and I thought, oh again, something with Lewis! But then I got the news. And I did not expect that, I must say."

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The Mercedes boss admitted that Rosberg's decision thwarted the manufacturer's plans for 2017, which included the luxury of having two world champions racing its Silver Arrows.

"I respected that decision. I mean, obviously, one [Hamilton] is saying 'I want more and more and I want to break more records and make history', and the other one [Rosberg] is saying 'well, I finally fulfilled my life dream and what can be on top of that?', and both approaches are legitimate.

"Of course, it would have been easier and more pleasant for us to have two world champions in our team for the season to come - not necessarily less fight but this was part of the entertainment, and now we need a new driver and that’s how life works.

"And so I was not insulted or totally disappointed. I respected his decision."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.