“Search for the next Michael Schumacher”

Photo series with 20 pictures

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Fulfilled his childhood dream with the 2016 World Cup title: Ex-Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg. (Source: HochZwei / imago images)

Rosberg is also a shareholder in the Formula E electric racing series and invests in sustainable mobility concepts. When it comes to sustainability, he sees a certain responsibility not only in himself, but also in the premier class of motorsport. “Formula 1 has enormous potential to convey content and values ​​to people everywhere,” says the 23-time race winner and looks ahead: “If Formula 1 succeeds in becoming climate-neutral, it also serves as a role model.”

t-online.de: Mr. Rosberg, you drove in Formula One for eleven years. Do you sometimes have a guilty conscience about CO2 emissions during your active racing career?

Nico Rosberg (34): No. When I drove in Formula 1, I had only one goal in mind: to win. I didn’t have time to worry about anything else. But I felt that there are things that I want to change in the long term, including myself. And I’m working on that now.

What things are these?

Through my current and future projects, I will massively reduce my carbon footprint. My goal is to make my personal and professional life not only climate-neutral, but also climate-positive, which means that I offset more CO2 than I cause.

The FIA ​​recently signed the UN Action Plan, which commits to becoming climate neutral by 2030. To what extent are commercial motorsport and climate protection compatible in your opinion?

Motorsport – especially Formula One – is one of the most important platforms for automobile manufacturers to develop new technologies that will later find their way into road vehicles. In this respect, you will also face the challenges of future mobility here and develop possible solutions.

What role does Formula 1 play?

Formula 1 is of course one of the most popular sports in the world and has enormous potential to convey content and values ​​to people everywhere, regardless of their culture and nationality. This is an incredible advantage, especially when it comes to accepting more efficient drives and alternative fuels. If Formula 1 succeeds in becoming climate neutral, it also serves as a role model.

What steps would you like Formula 1 to take in terms of sustainability and climate protection?

With its sustainability initiative, Formula 1 has already set very ambitious goals. The series is to become climate neutral by 2030. I also hope that Formula 1 will continue to play a major role in the development of sustainable technologies, for example through synthetic fuels.

As a Formula E shareholder, you are interested in a growing awareness of competition. What must happen that the electric racing series emerges from the shadow of Formula 1? Do you need more familiar faces?

I don’t see Formula E in the shadow of Formula 1. They are two fundamentally different racing series. They do not compete for the same sponsors, partners or spectators, as Formula E takes place in city centers and is a spectacle for the whole family, the offer of which goes beyond pure entertainment on the track. Formula E is a platform for sustainable mobility and addresses a different target group than conventional Formula 1 fans. For example, Formula E also attracts people who are normally not interested in motorsport, but are interested in sustainable mobility.

One of Rosberg’s investments: The Formula E electric racing series, here at the race in Mexico City. (Source: Kräling / imago images)

With your racing driver academy, the “Young Drivers Academy”, you promote young racing talents. How much does it cost to get a young driver into the high Formula series these days?

Unfortunately too much. One year of kart training alone costs 200,000 euros. But I try to support the young drivers wherever I can. Of course I support my own team and I am always available for them. I will also help you find sponsors and partners.

So far, you have talents from China, England and Italy under contract in your academy. Where does Germany stand in the junior area of ​​karting or racing?

Germany is my top priority. I am looking for the next Michael Schumacher and I am sure that Germany has the potential to produce great talent again.

What skills and experiences have you been able to transfer from your racing career to investing?

A team can always achieve more than the individual. That was an important finding for me as a racing driver and it is also an entrepreneur. In addition, of course you need a certain tenacity for both and the will to always get the best result in order to be successful. As a racing driver, I have regularly undergone mental training and have drawn a lot from it, which continues to advance me.

Is there a role model that you as an investor use as a guide?

Elon Musk (Tesla boss and PayPal co-founder Note d. Red) is a great inspiration. I think it’s incredible what he does.

After your Formula 1 career, you have already taken a new path and become an entrepreneur. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

It is important to me that I am successful in areas that bring real added value for society, which is why I invest in sustainable technologies, sustainable mobility concepts and am committed to projects that have a social or ecological orientation. In the next few years, I will concentrate even more on these business areas.

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