It wasn't a surprise, but it was still the talking point of the German Grand Prix weekend: two times World Champion Mika Hakkinen announced his retirement from motor racing. Hakkinen, one of the most amicable drivers in F1's recent history, elected to bid his farewell via video, filmed at his summer house in Finland, alongside wife Erja and son Hugo. It is a moving, bittersweet goodbye, done with the same class that epitomized the Finn's entire career. Atlas F1 offers, exclusively on the Internet, the full video version as well as the transcript of Mika's message

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Mika Hakkinen: "I'm not so emotional guy (laughing) I'm not very emotional...

"This is the summer place where come here, with Erja and Hugo, but our home is Monaco obviously and that's where we spend most of the time. But at times like this, at this time of the year - when the sky is blue and the water is warm - we come here; it's good fun.

"I decided to do it this way, that way we can go through the television and film, so I can really sit down in a relaxed environment and at the same time you guys can shoot a little bit about my family and how we spend time together. And, if I was sitting now in a press conference or the communications centre and talk about my retirement, I don't think I could give the best picture of what I really mean and the best commotion about my feeling. So this is the best way to do it, so that everybody can really see it and look at it very carefully. So this is my way.

"So in 2001, in Monaco GP, I went to speak to Ron in the motorhome, and I felt that way - that I want to stop, basically. And when I went to see him - Ron was really good. You know, he came into the idea that way - 'Mika don't make quick decisions, think about it, and why don't you do it this way, have a one year off and come back to me later on, in 2002, and tell me what you want to do then.'

"For some people it can be very difficult to motivate yourself, if you know what you are planning to do; but I had races I wanted to win, and it was definitely Silverstone and it was definitely Indianapolis. So I went to these Grands Prix with maximum confidence of course, and I won them. I won both of these Grands Prix and I cannot really explain it, why it happened and how I was able to do it. It just happened. And that definitely, those two Grands Prix made me even stronger and made me feel even more comfortable about my decision.

"Then came 2002, Monaco GP, and I went to see Ron and said, I do like to complete my retirement, and I was very grateful to him that he gave me that opportunity to think about it and now it was the time to retire... it's time to stop."

Erja Hakkinen: "The retirement for me is a very heavy word, especially when I think about Mika being 34 years old and then somebody says 'he's going to retire'. It's quite shocking, and I'm not thinking about it in the way that 'retirement' is really the word to use, because he's young and he can do things in his life and in the future. It's sort of life without any plans.

Mika Hakkinen: "I would say that this is more about the time I want to spend with the family, to see Hugo growing. Spend time with my wife, and simply also I think I don't want to hurt myself. I've been so much through in my career in Formula One, particularly in 95, so I did receive so much, I thought it's not worth it anymore to push your luck further.

"Ron definitely works in the details very much. And he can at the same time look at the overall picture. He can motivate the people and he can push the people to the limit, and at the same time he can understand when these people need a break. So working like crazy, I've never been home and see my kid's growing. But what I have been listening to people they tell me that once your kid is growing and getting older, you cannot ever get that time back.

"So that's what I am trying to do - I'm trying to maximise at the moment my time with Hugo; see him learning to walk, learning to talk, and eating properly, and stuff like that. You know, I want to see that time. And at the same time you know I want to be with Erja - and that's part of my future, and I want to feel that. "

Erja Hakkinen: "This year - especially these moments here and in Monaco - Wherever we go, it's a family thing. Now we can travel around, enjoy the world as a family. And I want this family to grow; this is my wish."

Mika Hakkinen: "My final thoughts? The future? I think the future will go about what is going to happen in one hour's time, because we're going to jump in the sauna, go swimming, enjoy. And I think that's the first thing of what we're going to do."

"Well now basically when the decision came, to stop racing, many of you have been supporting me for so many years... there is a list which is to be honest quite long, but I just want to thank you very much, and I will miss you guys a lot. I hope you understand. And I want to say - thank you."