The greatest challenge in life is discovering who one is. The second greatest challenge is being happy with what one finds. Nico Rosberg recently open up about his reasons to quit F1, nearly a week after defeating Lewis Hamilton for the 2016 World Driver’s Championship. Many believed that Nico Rosberg wanted to exit the sport while being on the top as a world champion. However, Rosberg’s reason is very different and has shocked the F1 paddock.

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton had one of the fiercest rivalries of the turbo-hybrid era. The Mercedes was very dominant during the V6turbo hybrid era and only someone with equal machinery could’ve challenged Lewis Hamilton. Nico Rosberg not only challenged but beat the Briton as well. However, the German announced his retirement from the sport soon after winning the World Championship. The F1 driver’s schedule is very hectic and all they think and plan about is the upcoming race.

The drivers live from race to race and never really get time for themselves. Nico Rosberg revealed that for him it was always about the next race. He suggested that everything in his life was about racing and leaving F1 felt like giving up his identity. The German never got the time to think about his passions. His system went into shock after going from being a world champion to nothing at all. Rosberg further explained how he had to accept the fact that whatever he did after F1, had to be started from scratch.

According to motorsport.nextgen-auto.com, Nico Rosberg said “In a way, I gave up my identity. Everything in my life until that moment had been the race, the race, and nothing but the race.” “It was a shock for my system to pass this parameter to zero at once. I had never even wondered what other passions I had. There was always only the next race.” Further adding “I had to accept that no matter what I did, I started again from scratch”

Read More: Lewis Hamilton Reflects on the Missed Golden Opportunities as He Weighs in on the Cost He Paid to Become an F1 Driver

Nico Rosberg felt like he was nothing outside the world of F1 so he went outside F1 and explored his passions. The German now has a youtube channel and appears on TV shows for F1 as a commentator and analyst. Rosberg is also famously known for criticizing and making comments about the current teams and drivers. He recently made comment about Max Verstappen’s reaction after losing the Saudi Arabian GP to Sergio Perez.

Nico Rosberg’s comment about Max Verstappen’s mentality and attitude

Max Verstappen failed to celebrate a 1-2 finish with the team after the Saudi Arabian GP and suggested that he is not here to finish second. Nico Rosberg criticized the Dutchman’s attitude and mentality as he pointed toward Verstappen’s post-race reaction. The German also suggested how the 25-year-old left the track early after qualifying and did not attend the team meeting. Rosberg believes this isn’t a good mentality especially when the team has worked so hard. Verstappen should’ve been a bit more gracious.

According to express.co.uk, Nico Rosberg said “It is not good to see that [Verstappen’s reaction] really,” “Also, [on Saturday], he left the track very quickly and skipped the team meeting apparently, that is what we have been told.” “That is not a good approach, not a good mentality this early in the season when the team has done such a brilliant job with the car and is working so hard. He could be a little bit more gracious, I would say.”

Watch this Story: Ugliest Moments in Hamilton-Rosberg Rivalry

What do you make of Nico Rosberg’s reason for leaving F1? What do you think about his post-F1 career choices?