Since the inaugural E-Prix in Beijing's Olympic Park in 2014, there have been a fair few famous names pass through the gates of the FIA Formula E Championship over the years. Whether it's Leonardo DiCaprio walking the pit lane at the New York E-Prix, Naomi Cambell watching the race in Monaco or will.i.am chatting all things electric with Sir Richard Branson in London - the list goes on. Adding to that - for the first race of Season Four in Hong Kong - was none other than Formula One World Champion Nico Rosberg. Sensing he'd know a thing or two about world-class motorsport, we caught up with him about racing in the city streets, the "amazing" future of Formula E and why he's interested in getting involved.
It's a bright morning on Hong Kong's Harborfront. Fishing boats dart in and out of the jetties while the city's bustling financial district hums with the sound of shoppers and weekend workers. Rosberg, fresh from the Hugo Boss party the night before, is eager to reach the circuit as he makes his way to the front gate.
"The location is awesome, it is very special," he says looking up at the surrounding skyscrapers. At the age of just six, Rosberg made the decision to follow in his father's footsteps in a bid to become a Formula One World Champion. After achieving his aim in 2016, after a dramatic last-race showdown with his teammate Lewis Hamilton, the World Champion announced his immediate retirement from the pinnacle of motorsport.
But today - the opening day of the HKT Hong Kong E-Prix - he's swapped his race suit for a spectator pass to witness the all-electric action from the streets of Hong Kong. "I know quite a lot [about Formula E], I have been following it. It has an amazing future, a great future. It is on the right track and Alejandro [Agag] is awesome as well so he is going to do the right stuff."
In his first year of retirement, Rosberg welcomed the birth of another daughter with his wife Vivian. on top of his family commitments, he travels the world as an ambassador for Mercedes, as well as making guest appearances and giving motivational speeches. Despite his last drive being only a year ago, the German driver doesn't miss being in the racing seat. "For me it is really done. I’m totally fulfilled and I am really excited about these news steps that I am doing now."
Through the Allianz E-Village, Rosberg walks past the podium and surrounding sponsor stalls before catching a glimpse of the track, just moments ahead of the day's first practice session. "Let’s wait and see [about a role in Formula E]. I’m open to explore so let’s see what the possibilities are but I’m definitely interested." Despite his prior experience, the champ rules out any chance of entering the series as a driver.
Closer to the track, Rosberg stops to check out the circuit, nestled at the foot of the towering city skyscrapers. "It is perfect," he says. "It is great because you take the sport to the people and that is what makes it special - so it is perfect. It is very difficult – street circuits are very difficult as it is dusty, bumpy, tight so it is always difficult.
Once in the paddock, Rosberg is greeted by friends and familiar faces from the world of motorsport. "I went to school with Maro Engel – we grew up together," he says fondly. "I went to his wedding recently, he had the coolest wedding car in the world, his DTM race car!" Appearing from a nearby garage, a friend comments on his immaculate appearance - with the champ dressed head to toe in Hugo Boss. As a global brand ambassador for the brand, Rosberg takes the opportunity to explain the thinking behind Hugo Boss becoming Formula E's first official apparel partner. "It is a different approach," he says. "It is a bit of trailblazing on their [Hugo Boss'] behalf so it is good. They are early movers...It is a bit of a message they have sent out."
Surrounded by all 10 teams and 20 cars, he takes time to inspect one of them while sharing his thoughts on the future of the series. "Formula E has hit the nail on the head – the hype is there for e-mobility and that is why there is a guaranteed great future for this because people are going to be watching," he said gazing towards a nearby grandstand. "Never has there been a racing series where the technology is so one-to-one. It goes from the race car into the road car of the future that we are all going to be driving. All the best brands in the world are here fighting each other, so it is awesome."
As time goes on, the paddock gets busier as teams prepare for the start of a busy day of racing. "They don’t compete [F1 & FE] - they are separate," he says, looking down at the rows of garages. "With the engine regulation, it is going to be difficult for them to agree on something. The big change for Formula E will be when the pit stop goes so that is going to be interesting for them," he says with a knowing smile.
After a 20 year career in single-seater racing, something tells us this won't be the last time we see the seasoned champ on the sidelines of a city street circuit.