2016 Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg has confirmed he is launching his own team in the new all-electric Extreme E championship.
The off-road series takes racing to the most remote areas of the world to demonstrate the ever-changing damage caused by the climate change crisis.
Rosberg will be the second F1 World Champion to compete in Extreme E, with ex-Mercedes AMG F1 team-mate Lewis Hamilton announcing his entry, ‘Team X44’ last month.
Known as ‘Rosberg Xtreme Racing’, the team is an evolution of ‘Team Rosberg’ – an organisation his father founded in 1994 and who have had success in series such as DTM.
“We are thrilled to unveil Rosberg Xtreme Racing as the latest addition to Extreme E,” Rosberg stated.
“The series represents an amazing opportunity to not only drive awareness but also inspire action in the fight against climate change – the single biggest threat to our planet today.
“Since retiring from F1 I have dedicated my career to sustainable technologies so to be able to combine these endeavours with my passion for racing is incredibly fulfilling.”
Rosberg is no stranger to investing his time and energy into sustainable start-ups. He founded GREENTECH FESTIVAL, a global platform to showcase pioneering green technologies, and is an investor and shareholder in Formula E.
Due to launch next year, Extreme E has already gained support from big manufacturers and motorsport teams such as current Formula E constructors’ champions Techeetah and Chip Ganassi Racing in their first electric adventure.
Alejandro Agag, the CEO and founder of Extreme E, said in a statement:
“We are ecstatic to finally announce that Rosberg Xtreme Racing will be joining our line-up for the first season of Extreme E.
“We have been talking about this project for many months and we are thrilled he has chosen Extreme E for his formal return to motorsport as Founder and CEO of his own racing team.
“There is clearly a great synergy between Nico’s endeavours in the sustainability field and the aims of Extreme E so his team is a hugely welcomed addition to the series.”
