Rich Energy Haas F1 Team driver Romain Grosjean’s new partnership with cryptocurrency firm Soccercoin is the first of its kind in Formula One.
Not only is the Frenchman the first F1 driver to endorse a cryptocurrency, but the deal has been administered entirely using Soccercoin’s virtual currency.
The idea to introduce cutting-edge finance technology to Formula One appealed to Romain, who worked as a banker in Geneva to support his early racing career.
“I enjoyed my time in the bank and I’ve followed the markets and taken a keen interest in what’s going on ever since. I have followed cryptocurrency for a long time and I am a big fan of it,” Romain explained.
Romain will race with the Soccercoin logo on his Bell helmet in 2019 after being convinced by the firm’s vision for a new type of digital transaction network.
“As soon as I spoke to Soccercoin, we were very quickly on the same page. I love the thought of being able to use cryptocurrency to buy football tickets, to exchange your seat, to buy merchandise or drinks, basically everything, without having to use your wallet.
“For now the focus is soccer. But I believe there are big opportunities in other sports and places where the product can be used more generally.
“It’s a challenging time for financial markets and cryptocurrency too, but I love the concept. I thought it was cool and I wanted to be the first driver in Formula One to have a partnership of this type.
“I’m fully happy to be paid in cryptocurrency. That wasn’t a problem for me because it shows I am confident about it and I believe in the project. I look forward to working together with Soccercoin to help make this a next-generation thing.”
Launched in 2018, Soccercoin is a digital infrastructure for the exchange and storage of data, allowing fast transactions. Beyond applications in soccer, it’s a product with the potential to benefit all areas of sport, from national and club level, as well as to support welfare and environmental projects.
Soccercoin founder and CEO Andreas Heigl said: “We are delighted to have the support of Romain as we begin a crucial year in the development of Soccercoin. Together we aim to take soccer to the next millennium with a new digital-payment system that is global, fast, secure and unique.
“Romain understands the possibilities in this field and his natural enthusiasm for the concept makes him the perfect partner as we develop the next phase of the project.”
