Nico Rosberg will tackle his home grand prix this weekend - one of five drivers to do so at Hockenheim - having spent part of the gap between rounds demonstrating his Williams-
Toyota to a virgin audience.
Formula One entered new territory at the weekend when Rosberg and the
Williams took part in a demonstration run around the streets of Moscow. Billed as 'Moscow City Racing', the event was the first of its kind to be staged in Russia and was the country's first major international sporting event since it staged the Olympic Games in 1980. Together with
Red Bull Racing, the Williams team was the headline act of a day filled with a diverse mix of high octane motorsport demonstrations all set against Moscow's dramatic city backdrop.
In front of a capacity audience, Rosberg carried out two three-lap tours of a 4.6km track at the wheel of last year's FW29, starting next to Red Square, before running past the Kremlin, around the Kremlyovskaya and Moskvoretskaya embankments of the Moscow River and finishing at Bolshoi Theatre Square with some spectacular 'donuts' and burnouts.
“I'm in the privileged position to be a part of many big events, but this really rates as one of the most amazing," Rosberg admitted, "What a city - driving around the Kremlin and through Red Square was just awesome. To take Formula One out of its natural environment and show what we do to a completely new audience is great and this experience is certainly one I'll never forget."
It will be back to business as usual this weekend, however, as Rosberg,
Kazuki Nakajima and the rest of the Williams team attempt to get back on terms with the closely-matched midfield battle in
Formula One. Although Germany has lost some of its fervour for
F1 since the departure of
Michael Schumacher, the five 'local' pilots should still receive a traditional welcome from the Hockenheim crowd in what is usually one of the most atmospheric events of the season.
![Nico Rosberg entertained the crowds in Moscow when he demonstrated a Williams-Toyota FW29 [pic credit: LAT/van Egmond]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/467749.jpg)
