Two potent sports cars face off in an unusual but gorgeous setting.
With the backdrop of the clustered highrises and the turquoise Mediterranean, the 2016 Formula 1 Champion demonstrates just how capable the latest Silicon Valley supercar is against the current ‘Ring King. Nico Rosberg, who hasn’t slowed down much since his retirement from racing in 2016, takes great pride in showing us just where the future of motoring is headed. Some might not be too pleased with the forecast.
The Tesla is bringing a lot to this fight. The twin-engined Model 3 Performance enjoys 450 horsepower, all-wheel drive, immense torque from zero, and an advertised 0-60 time of just 3.2 seconds. With a slippery Monaco pier used as the drag strip, perhaps the Porsche was at a major disadvantage putting that power down from a dig, but it nonetheless demonstrated the versatility and accessibility of the Tesla. Wherever there’s a relatively straight piece of road, every electrified pony can be administered to the pavement without so much as a hiccup.
Given a stickier surface and a longer runway, the GT2 RS’ horsepower advantage would’ve undoubtedly shown through and carried it ahead, though it should be said that it was just barely beaten. However, the Tesla’s real-world performance can trump the GT2 RS’ otherworldly thrust in less-than-ideal conditions—if drag racing down a Monégasque pier could ever be considered less than ideal.
