“You were playing in your room and I was your first sponsor in karting” – Former World Champion Nico Rosberg recalls meeting Mika Hakkinen during his childhood

Both of them now share a close bond which is often seen in Rosberg’s videoblogs. They are neighbours as well living in the same apartment building in Monaco which is separated by a few floors.

Despite not being present in the same Formula One timeline, the duo quite has a unique history. Nico Rosberg actually met the Finnish legend well over twenty years ago.

While Rosberg was winning trophies in his karting world, Häkkinen worked with Keke Rosberg. Yes, you have read it right, Keke Rosberg actually managed the two times world champion in his F1 career.

“I don’t remember when we first met but maybe Mika does!” said Rosberg when asked when he first met Häkkinen.

“Well, I think the first time we met must have been down here in Monaco in the early ’90s. I was visiting Keke, and you were playing in your room. It’s possible I was his first sponsor in karting,” replied Häkkinen.

The German driver recalls having posters of sponsors in his room and Häkkinen being one of them. He further added: “Yeah, sure. It was 1997, I was 11 years old and competing in the French go-karting championship.”

Former Michael Schumacher rival has lived in Monaco for well over 20 years. He expressed how winning the Monaco Grand Prix is like winning in a home street. Explaining that he added: “The thing you realize is that the people who work on the race track are also the people who live and work in Monaco. In everyday life, these are the guys you see in the street and they say ‘hi’ as you walk past.”

Rosberg emphasized how growing up in Monaco makes it special. In conclusion, he said: “It’s home for me too as I’ve grown up here. All my friends are here and my family, I know everybody and it’s very special to race here.”