Magnus Carlsen Love for Cars

7/15/2015 – He himself owns a Teslar. On a trip to Volkswagen, the biggest automaker in Germany and Europe, World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen got ride a 700 hp Lamborghini and visit the secret Volkswagen test site. There he took a spin with FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier in a 318 hp Polo and discovered that chess and rallying had more in common than you would think.

On his trip to Wolfsburg, chess genius Carlsen, the youngest world number one in the history of the sport, donned a racing suit and took his place alongside Ogier as his co-driver. That wasn't the only highlight for the motorsport fan and current number one in the world rankings of the World Chess Federation FIDE.

First, he enjoyed a lap at lightning speed on the secret Volkswagen test site in Ehra-Lessien. Carlsen was chauffeured by works driver Michal Kutina in an Aventador of group brand Lamborghini. After the ride in the 700 hp sports car, the Norwegian chess genius got into the Volkswagen Polo WRC with Ogier. The two-time rally World Champion not only showed Carlsen his place of work and what everyday testing is like, he also really went for it sideways on the handling course near Wolfsburg.

Carlsen was impressed by the trip in the 318 hp Polo: "It's fantastic how Sébastien masters his car and flings it around the corners," said the 24-year-old. "Chess and rallying have more in common than you would think. They both require utmost concentration and precision. And you always have to look two steps ahead."

This was followed by a tour of the Autostadt in Wolfsburg – and Carlsen signed the visitor's book at the Volkswagen Group's museum and amusement park. The day was rounded off with Carlsen being given an exclusive tour of the manufacturing halls belonging to the car manufacturer from Wolfsburg.

"I was delighted to meet Magnus," said Ogier. "He is a great guy and a really interesting personality. As Chess World Champion, naturally he has an incredible memory. It's crazy what Magnus can keep in his head. In the cockpit I noticed that he was really enjoying himself. I bet he could recite entire special stages after the 'recce' without even looking at the pace notes."