That Nico Rosberg retired immediately after punching aside the demeaning burden of the 'son of...' mantle was surprising, yet certainly not shocking. Here was a driver who achieved the absolute pinnacle of his career, yet, even as he tearfully celebrated with wife Vivian and parents - 1982 Fomula 1 world champion Keke and Sine - "only the second son of a..." comments were whispered in Abu Dhabi's paddock.
Just what did Nico need to do to be accepted in the paddock as his own man, as just plain 'Nico', or as 'Nico the driver who beat arguably fastest man of his generation to the championship over the longest season in history in the same car'? Score a second title, only to become known as the 'first son to beat his own father's championship record'?
During last Sunday evening's Autosport Awards Damon Hill, forever known as 'the first son of' after emulating two-time champion father Graham in 1996, jokingly welcomed Nico to the 'son of' club, adding that he, Damon, was president and Nico vice-president.