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F1 success largely down to genetics, says Rosberg

Retired Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg believes a dominating factor in being successful in racing is sparked by "a natural gift" from genetics.

Retired Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg believes a dominating factor in being successful in racing is sparked by "a natural gift" from genetics, having followed in the footsteps of his father Keke Rosberg.

Rosberg's 2016 title triumph emulated his father's 1982 F1 world championship, becoming the second father and son partnership to win F1 world titles after Graham and Damon Hill, while a long list of past and present drivers follow a similar story.

Max Verstappen and Kevin Magnussen have both reached F1 having seen their fathers achieve similar feats before them, as well as Jolyon Palmer who recently left Renault, with his replacement Carlos Sainz Jr having two-time World Rally Champion Sainz Snr to learn from.

While a number of current F1 drivers have similar stories of racing parents, reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton came into racing with no family history in motorsport.

Rosberg believes racing is "66 percent genetics" with "33 percent nurtured" going on his experiences in the sport, while being able to highlight his own weaknesses enabled him to unlock further potential to charge to the 2016 F1 title.

"From my dad I genetically inherited a natural gift to drive racing cars," Rosberg said at an event in London organised by Wired magazine. "I'm a firm believer that genetics are quite a big part of this.

"I would probably say 66 percent genetics, 33 percent nurtured. I would go to that extreme. In our sport it's very clear.

"The general Formula One driver is a big narcissist, in love with himself and he thinks he's the best in the world and it's always the other guy's fault. That gives you a certain strength in this crazy environment but it's also a weakness because you don't question yourself as much.

"I was more on the other side, the more sensitive, less narcissistic. Questioning myself all the time, trying to improve step by step."

Zdroj: crash.net