Reigning Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg says that “life has more to offer than driving around in circles” in a very candid interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Rosberg made headlines twice within five days, claiming his maiden world championship on Nov. 27 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before announcing his shock retirement on Dec. 2. Now an ambassador for the Mercedes F1 team, Rosberg discussed the changing focus of his new life out of the spotlight.

"First of all, to do sport at the highest level it is really 110 percent focus that is required and there is no room for any compromise whatsoever, at least that's the way I went about it," Rosberg said. "Everything else is secondary and so far behind, and that's even family. I have a 1 1/2-year-old daughter now -- it's friends and any exciting and fun 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 matter of having more time for family, more time for friends and being in control of my whole life as well. Since I was 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 I have this complete freedom."

Among other things, Rosberg is looking to spend much of his free time visiting sick children in Germany and working on various charitable projects.

With F1 focusing increasingly on finding new ways to save fuel, it’s hardly surprising that Rosberg is showing an interest in renewable energy sources, explaining that a recent trip in a Tesla sparked his interest.

"Renewable energy could be quite interesting, there are so many things and opportunities -- electric cars, for example. I had a Tesla as a taxi the other day in Switzerland, so it's quite impressive we have come that far."

During his championship year, Rosberg studied philosophy in a bid to win the mental battle between himself and teammate Lewis Hamilton -- something that helped him to understand and strengthen his control over his emotions.

"I think every person has to go about it in his own way, and I have definitely struggled with that at times but managed to find my way with it," Rosberg said. "I've studied philosophy for 10 years, and that has been a huge benefit because every little issue, suffering or doubt you have, there has been someone in the past who has had exactly that same thing -- and there's been a genius in the past who has had exactly that same thing and has been able to write it down to make it really understandable.

"So you learn (to understand) why am I jealous, why am I now angry, why do I have fear, why am I scared, why am I nervous. You really lean to understand all of that. You can't switch off all those emotions, that's impossible, but you can change the way you act once you get them. Because if you understand why you have it, you can change your action and your reaction afterwards, and that can have a huge snowball effect as a person in your life."

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