Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky Interview

From her early days in go-karts to her recent triumph as the 2023 Extreme E Champion Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, alongside teammate Johan Kristoffersson, has forged a path of unprecedented success, defying odds and leaving a trail of victories in her wake.

The Swedish racing driver made motorsport history by clinching victory in the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup, marking her as the first woman to achieve such a feat in Germany in 2014. This victory served as a precursor to a remarkable journey spanning a decade, where the racing sensation has continuously shattered barriers and dominated circuits worldwide, which we will discuss more in detail in the interview.

In 2024, we will keep on witnessing her skills on track with Rosberg X Racing. Headed by 2016 Formula One World Champion Nico Rosberg, who has transitioned his racing passion into a platform for sustainable innovation, RXR represents the culmination of Nico’s commitment to both motorsport and environmental sustainability.

As we delve deeper into Mikaela’s journey and accomplishments, it’s evident that her partnership with RXR embodies not only her prowess on the track but also a shared commitment to advancing sustainability in motorsport.

Let’s now turn our attention to the insights Mikaela shares about her career, challenges, and aspirations in this exclusive interview.

Hope you enjoy.

First and foremost welcome and thank you for joining me here on Is It Fast today. How has life been lately after a victorious 2023 season? How was the winter break? How does it feel to be back in Extreme E where you secured the number one spot again in the first two rounds of the series?

It feels great to be back. I had a great winter break, after the high of winning the Extreme E Championship, but I also used it as an opportunity to prepare for this coming year. RXR is currently number one in the Extreme E standings after two rounds, and that’s a good sign that the hard work is paying off. However it’s still early days, and the competition this season is more intense than ever.

Image: Rosberg X Racing

When we look at the very beginning, how did your racing journey start? I know that up north, like in Sweden, winter sports are quite popular such as skiing or snowboarding and you were into dancing as well. What made you decide on motorsports?

My journey into motorsports was a bit unconventional. Growing up in a family passionate about racing, the love for motorsport was always around me, but I was more involved in gymnastics and dancing when I was younger. However, that pull to motorsports was always there. My first go-kart experience wasn’t great, but I was stubborn and gave it another go six years later. That persistence paid off, and here I am today, living my dream.

Congratulations on a brilliant 2023 season. You were incredibly close to winning your first Extreme E championship back in 2022 also but in 2023 you finally got your maiden title with your team mate Johan Kristoffersson. I have to say that the last race was quite eventful. Can you walk us through that weekend? Were you confident going into it and how was the overall feeling at the team?

Thank you! Winning the Extreme E Championship with Rosberg X Racing last year really was a dream come true for me. Especially after coming so close to winning the title back in 2022. The 2023 season was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions, and that finale was like something out of a movie. Going into the last race, the stakes were super high, but even when things seemed impossible after things took a turn, I kept going. Securing the championship was a testament to great teamwork for sure.

Image: Rosberg X Racing

Would you say that the last race as you secured the championship was your favourite race of the season? If not can you please share which race in the calendar holds a special place in your heart?

The last race will always be imprinted on my memory, but Sardinia is probably the best race location for the team.

Now onto the track that challenges you the most… Do any of the tracks stand out to you when it comes to difficulty?

Extreme E’s tracks all come with their own challenges. But the one that stands out in terms of difficulty for me personally would be the Desert X Prix and desert terrain. The shifting sands and unpredictable conditions definitely test our adaptability, and driving skills, to the limit!

Although you had a near-perfect season, I am sure you will never stop learning and growing as a racing driver. What is something that you hope to improve going into 2024?

There’s always room for growth. Continual learning and adaptation are key in motorsports.

You come from a family of racing drivers. What has been one of the life-lessons that they’ve taught you about racing that stuck with you?

My family has taught me to never give up. My parents started enforcing this mindset with us when we started go-karting, so even if we had a bad race and came out last, they told us to never give up and just keep on driving.

This is still so important to me, as there is always something you can learn and improve upon. This never-giving-up spirit was definitely showcased in the final race just before we won the Championship.

You are in close contact with many legendary names in motorsports whether it be in your family or your team. Do you have an idol when it comes to the motorsports landscape, someone that you look up to?

Having my mom as a role model to look up to has been amazing, as has being able to speak to her about her experiences. Other than my mom, I also look up to Anja Pärson, a Swedish skier, and Annika Sörenstam, a Swedish golfer who was the very first golfer to play against a man.

Image: Rosberg X Racing

Being one of the drivers to race in the first ever season of Extreme E, it is safe to say that it was a courageous move. The series was challenging the status quo of motorsports and also had aspects to it that you as a pilot weren’t familiar with, such as being all off-road. How did you take that leap of faith?

When I did the first race in 2021 I just thought “What have I gotten myself into? This is not my thing”. I had never raced in anything like it, and I was kind of terrified during the first laps. But luckily the fear didn’t last long, and I was just so grateful to have been given the opportunity to be a part of such a revolutionary series. It’s opened up a whole new world to me.

Joining Extreme E was about embracing the unknown and seizing the opportunity to be part of something groundbreaking. The series’ commitment to sustainability and equality especially resonated with my values.

You are racing on so many different tracks and series, you do a lot of traveling, there is always a circulation of people around you… How do you adapt to ever-changing conditions and sustain your mental power?

I’ve worked with a mental coach for many years. Staying in the present moment helps me to stay calm.

Now let’s take a trip down memory lane… 10 years ago, back in 2014, you became the first woman in history to win a race in a Volkswagen-supported championship. Similarly, in 2018 in your second season in the STCC, you became the first female racing driver in Swedish touring car history to win a race. While you are taking these steps writing history, do you feel the momentum of it at that moment? Were you aware of how big of an achievement it was at that time and how did that feel?

These milestones have been incredible personal triumphs, and for me, they’ve always been steps towards challenging norms and inspiring young girls in motorsport. Experiencing these moments has been humbling and fuels my drive to continue breaking barriers.

Image: Rosberg X Racing

We all know that you advocate for sustainability and your career choices showcase that perfectly. However, I feel like the social equity pillar is often neglected when we talk about sustainability. Even though gender equality is a big part of it, it is often left in the shadow of the environment talk. When you reflect back on the status of women in motorsports in the last few years, what are your general thoughts? Do you see progress and how do you foresee the future of gender equality in the world of motorsports?

The progress in women’s representation and opportunities in motorsports is encouraging, but there’s still much work to be done. Series like Extreme E, and now F1 Academy play crucial roles in closing the gap, providing young female drivers with the exposure and experience needed to advance their careers. My experiences have shown me the importance of having the right support and opportunities to compete and excel at the highest levels.

Another achievement of yours that I believe inspires so many talented young women out there is your role in the Sweden National Team Motorsport. How does it feel to have been selected to represent your country while doing something that you love?

Representing Sweden on the international stage is an immense honor and a dream come true. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and it fuels my drive to excel.

Thank you for your time and sharing your world for us to understand your journey better. Is there anything you would like to add?

I feel like I’ve grown and developed so much as a driver, and the stats for all the female drivers in Extreme E speak for themselves. I’m more determined than ever to push the boundaries this year with everything that I do. I’m racing not just for the thrill but for a better, more inclusive future. I hope to break more barriers and set new benchmarks for equality in motorsports.

To keep up with Kottulinsky’s adrenaline-packed racing journey, make sure to follow her on

Mikaela’s social media or RXR’s socials. As we wrap up this insightful interview with Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, we wish her all the best on and off the track, as she continues to push the limits and break down barriers.

Author: Öykü Ceylan