Ex-Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg recently got to drive Volkswagen’s ID.R, which is one of the fastest cars on the planet, around Germany’s famous Nurburgring that recently hosted a round of the 2020 Formula 1 series.
Volkswagen’s ID.R is one of the fastest electric cars in the world and currently holds the record as the fastest electric car to complete a lap of the 12.93-mile (20.81km) Nurburgring circuit. This record-breaking lap was completed in 06:53 minutes by French racing driver Romain Dumas.
Fortunately, Dumas was on hand to offer Rosberg a few tips before he headed out in the 500-kW (680-PS) VW ID.R electric race car. When the conditions are right the ID.R can hit speeds of 0-62 mph(0-100kph) in just 1.65 seconds. Unfortunately, the circuit was damp when Rosberg drove the car so he wasn’t able to match these numbers.
Nico Rosberg, ex-Formula 1 champion, said: “It is a while since I have driven a real race car in the rain, but I immediately felt like a fish in water again in the ID.R. It feels fantastic to drive. The traction, the acceleration and the downforce was all very familiar.
“Compliments to the engineers at Volkswagen, who have done important pioneering work in the field of electro-mobility with the ID.R. Motorsport’s job is to change mobility as a whole. It should be the test and development platform that transfers technology into production. That is exactly what has happened with the ID.R and the ID.3. I could even imagine getting an ID.3 for my family.”
Sven Smeets, Volkswagen Motorsport Director, said: “We are delighted that Nico wanted to test our ID.R. The fact that our electric racer put a smile on the face of a Formula 1 world champion is great feedback and underlines the fact that electro-mobility can create a lot of fascination and emotion.
