Nico Rosberg to take on Lewis Hamilton in Extreme E

A curious one for F1 champs to be drawn to, we’ll grant you but officially, it represents Nico Rosberg’s formal return to motorsport since his departure from F1 in 2016 following his championship win.

“We are thrilled to unveil Rosberg Xtreme Racing as the latest addition to Extreme E,” Nico Rosberg said of his team’s debut.

“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.”

As above, he joins reigning F1 world champion and world record-breaking driver Lewis Hamilton in founding an Extreme E series team, X44. This means yes, come the season’s first race of five in Senegal in January, it’ll be Hamilton vs. Rosberg all over again, X44 vs. RXR. They’ll be taking on other stars of motorsport who have entered the series, with Chip Ganassi and Andretti Autosport also being present.

What is Extreme E? Think Formula E but for Trophy Trucks. That means, like Formula E, electric-powered standard spec vehicles run by multiple teams. Like Trophy Trucks, it’s less jutting aerodynamics racing slicks and more big bulky body, giant knobbly tyres and extreme dune-hopping suspension specs.

Williams Advanced Engineering helped develop the battery and the end result is the Odyssey 21. It’ll crack 62mph in 4.5 seconds and do so on gradients of up to 130 per cent.

With star teams and high-powered all-electric off-road monsters, it should be a lot of fun.