Nico Rosberg says there is more to life than “driving around in circles” after retiring from Formula 1 at the end of last season.
Rosberg clinched his maiden F1 drivers’ title in Abu Dhabi at the end of November before sensationally announcing his immediate retirement from racing five days later.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this week, Rosberg opened up on his decision to call it quits.
“To do sport at the highest level, it is really 110 per cent focus that is required and there is no room for any compromise whatsoever,” Rosberg said.
“Everything else is secondary and far behind, and that’s even family. I have a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter now. Friends and any other fun or exciting projects – everything is way, way behind.
“So, there’s a time for everything and I find that life has more to offer than driving around in circles and it just felt like the right moment. I want to go for new challenges.
“Of course, there is the side now of having more time for family, more time for friends and being in control of my own life as well.
“For the last 21 years of racing, even starting as a 10-year-old, the whole season is planned by other people, telling you where you need to be and especially in F1 – it’s really, really intense. And now all of a sudden I have this complete freedom.”
Rosberg said that he plans to spend some time focusing on charity work, particularly helping children.
“One of the avenues that I want to go down is to give something back, find something that really touches my heart,” Rosberg said.
“Now I have the time, I’m going to go exploring different avenues. I’m going to go to Germany and visit children who are quite ill, especially of the age of children who are really happy to see me.
“I would really like to go and see them at the age where I can give them a great time.”
