Nico Rosberg’s Rosberg X Racing has introduced will probably be ceasing operations following 4 years competing in Excessive E.
The staff — centered round its #DrivenbyPurpose marketing campaign all through its existence and led by 2016 System 1 world champion Nico Rosberg — competed within the all-electric off-road collection since its inception, being the seventh staff to signal on forward of its inaugural season in 2021 after Andretti, Chip Ganassi Racing, Techeetah (which ended up not competing), X44, Abt, and Veloce Racing.
Rosberg described his staff’s closure as “bittersweet.”
“Constructing RXR wasn’t nearly racing; it was about making a purpose-driven staff that might make an actual distinction,” he stated. “From our championship wins to our environmental and equality initiatives, we’ve achieved a lot collectively. Whereas it’s bittersweet to shut this chapter, I’m pleased with what we’ve achieved.”
With 9 wins from 24 races and two championship titles, RXR was Excessive E’s most profitable staff. It received the primary season, with Johan Kristoffersson and Molly Taylor claiming three occasion victories from 5 — together with the primary occasion in Saudi Arabia — to defeat Lewis Hamilton’s X44 staff which had Sebastien Loeb and Cristina Gutierrez as its drivers that yr.
Taylor departed the staff forward of the second season, with Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky taking her place, and the duo of Kristoffersson and Ahlin-Kottulinsky received one other two occasions, however completed second to X44 after technical points within the penultimate spherical in Chile, and a crash on the season finale in Uruguay derailed their hopes of retaining the title.
“RXR gave me the possibility to push boundaries, race with objective, and develop in methods I by no means imagined,” stated Ahlin-Kottulinsky, who, with six victories, ends her Excessive E run because the collection’ second-most profitable feminine driver behind Taylor who went on to have success with Veloce Racing following her departure from RXR. “From our championship wins to our driven-by-purpose marketing campaign to planting hundreds of timber and galvanizing children, this journey has been unforgettable.
“I’ll additionally without end be pleased about the chance to study, moreover Johan, who’s now a 7-time World Rallycross champion. Whereas I’ll miss the staff, I’m excited to see the place this subsequent chapter takes me subsequent.”
Excessive E expanded to a 10-round schedule (throughout 5 occasions nonetheless) in Season 3 and RXR was as soon as once more collection champion courtesy of three wins in Sardinia and Chile. It started the curtailed 2024 season with one other win in Saudi Arabia, however slipped to 3rd within the standings after a run of three fourth-place finishes earlier than the season was halted after the Hydro X Prix in Scotland to ensure that the collection to focus its efforts into its re-invention because the hydrogen-powered Excessive H for 2025.
Staff boss Nico Rosberg shares a successful second together with his drivers Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky and Johan Kristoffersson in 2022. Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Pictures
“Successful two championships was an unimaginable achievement, however what stands out most is the affect we made past racing,” stated Kristoffersson, who dovetailed his Excessive E commitments with RXR with a sustained presence in World Rallycross, the place he received the championship consecutively from 2021-24, including to his earlier triumphs in 2017, ’18 and ’20. “This has been greater than a racing staff; it’s been a household, and I’m grateful for all the nice occasions.”
The choice to close up store signifies that RXR received’t be competing in Excessive H when it debuts in 2025, one thing that was all however confirmed in a staff assertion shared on social media which concluded, “Wishing Excessive H and all of the groups competing subsequent yr each success as they pioneer a brand new period in hydrogen-powered motorsport.” Thus far, different groups have been coy on their involvement within the revamped collection, however SUN Minimeal and Veloce Racing are amongst those who have signaled their intent to proceed.
“This chapter of RXR has been actually nice,” stated RXR’s managing director of economic operations Maximilian Wasler. “It’s uncommon to discover a staff so dedicated to successful and making a distinction. I’m pleased with our achievements and stay up for seeing how the legacy of RXR will encourage future endeavors.”
