When Nico Rosberg retired from Formula 1 just weeks after winning the World Championship, it’s fair to say that racing fans across the world were in shock. However, the man himself knew that the day was coming and is still convinced that he made the right decision.
Speaking to Jonathan McEvoy of the Daily Mail, the 31-year-old says that he knows that he was right to walk away as he simply followed his heart. The German said that living the life of a racing driver was like being on a hamster wheel and that he’s happy to be able to do whatever he likes, whenever he likes.
I am excited because of all the freedom I have. When I was racing I was in a hamster wheel, a good one, of course, and I am so thankful for everything it gave me. I wouldn’t do anything differently. But to be the best in your sport you have to make a lot of compromises. Now I look at my calendar for March and it’s totally white, blank from start to finish. I can decide to explore whatever I want to. It’s about spending more time with my family, which last year was a serious shortcoming.
Although the lifestyle of an F1 driver is glamorous and very rewarding, both emotionally and financially, very few people understand how focused and committed drivers need to be every day of their lives.
During the season, everything they do is with race day in mind. Rosberg gave a perfect example of this by speaking about how his decision not to exercise ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix helped him achieve pole position in qualifying.
I stopped cycling in the summer to lose one kilo. The next race I was on pole in Suzuka by one hundredth of a second. One kilo is worth three hundredths per lap. So I was on pole thanks to losing my leg muscles. It got me the win. Those were the small details I went into.
Rosberg also spoke about how being in the F1 bubble affected his family life and how it led to him spending far less time than he wanted with his partner and daughter.
Vivian did absolutely everything. If our daughter needed something, Vivian would be there. Never, ever, did I do a tough moment with my daughter. I was working on beating jet-lag by moving to the time zone — I was going in one-and-a-half-hour stages per day. It meant I could be asleep into the afternoon and living at night. It was horrible and Alaia knew Daddy couldn’t be disturbed. She was so impregnated with the concept that whenever she came to the bedroom she had her finger over her mouth and said, “sush”. Now I am doing those tough moments. It creates a bonding. She gives the love back to you. It’s amazing that she knows when you are suffering with her.
So, now that the German driver has a lot of time, and money, he’s free to do whatever he likes and he says that he has his eyes set on working with children in some capacity.
I have received so much in my life: the world championship, my family. I’m exploring what I want to do. Maybe something with kids, 10-year-olds, an age where I can make a difference.
