Extreme E – The Electric Odyssey is set to go green- literally on the desert sands of Saudia Arabia this coming weekend, April 3-4th. In what can be described as truly ingenious initiative by founder Alejandro Agag, the all electric 5 Round Series will test parameters of Motorsport racing for the future.
Sustainability of racing will come to the fore, gender equality will exist, collation of data on impacts of climate change will gain momentum as Extreme E crew, Teams, drivers and support personal travel the globe to race locations as diverse as the universe.
Motorsport action will be at its peak with Team and drivers racing against the clock with one-change-over of driver per race to secure position from Qualifying through to Final. All Teams compete in Odyssey 21 SUV’s with bodywork modifications only. All Teams and drivers enter on level playing field, having never raced the vehicle, never raced as a Team, never raced as duo drivers- one male, one female- so it will be exciting to say the least.
How will Teams fare? For starters, each Team comprises of drivers with varying Motorsport careers from Rally, to Touring, to single-seater- bike, car, SSV and in the case of American Sara Price include truck racing. Key factors will undoubtedly be, how in synch Team-drivers are, how adaptable each Team-drivers will be to navigate vehicle over varied terrain and speed.
The collaborative partnerships of Teams brings new impetus to Motorsport racing. Stalwarts of motor racing align with new age tech companies bringing together potent mix of passion to change how, why and where racing will head for the future.
The scope of Teams and drivers is massive. The knowledge each brings to the Series surpasses all expectations. The impact each person will have on the event will reach generations around the world. Breakdown of Teams and drivers as follows: ABT Cupra XE unites German Motorsport Tuning company ABT Sportsline with Cupra, a Spanish automotive manufacturer specializing in electrification. Drivers Claudia Hurtgen and Mattias Ekstrom have 25 and 22 years respectively racing history- a fact hard to beat in terms of experience, adaptability and endurance.
Acciona Sainz XE Team has global heavyweights of Rally Carlos Sainz and Laia Sanz representing Spanish companies Acciona and QEV Technology. Breaking record as the first Team to compete in The Dakar Rally with 100% vehicle, Acciona holds further credence with Carlos Sainz who has long list of career accomplishments. Laia equals on par hosting her own series of victories which includes ‘Legend’ status of Dakar.
It is not just the fact that America’s Andretti Autosports reigns supreme in Motorsport disciplines from Indy Series, to Formula E, to GT4, the pairing with British United Autosports cements 2 all mighty powerhouses together within one Series. If that’s not enough, driver selection of Brits Catie Munnings and Swedish European Rallycross Champion Timmy Hanson could very well add to the illustrious portfolios of their named Team: Andretti United Extreme E.
Hispano Suiza Xite Energy Team holds potent mix of fire in the belly when behind any wheel for that matter- with driver Christine Giampaoli and Oliver Bennett in driver’s front seat of Series Odyssey 21 SUV. With Hispano’s century long involvement within Motorsport coupled with the sheer exuberance of Christine GZ and British Rallycross driver- Bennett- formidable competition would be a sure thing across any terrain.
Inclusive of dynamic Team profiles within first ever Extreme E Series places Jenson Button JBXE Team among elite. Former Formula 1 World Champion in 2009, Jenson will take the helm alongside female driver Mikaela Kottulinsky. If Jenson’s race-craft will be put to the test, it will be Mikaela’s experience as test driver for the Series founding partner, Continental in developing the CrossContact Extreme E tyres, that will be a real benefit.
Nico Rosberg has dedicated post racing F1 career as entrepreneur in sustainable mobility. The former 2016 F1 World Champion has endless motivations to put principles of green technologies into action, along with passion to push the barriers of making racing serve a purpose. The Team’s tough competitors of Australia’s Molly Taylor and Swedish 3x World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson will be hard to beat.
Celebrating 30 years in Motorsport is true milestone for America’s Chip Ganassi. Outstanding achievements over 3 decades include 19 major Titles, 220 race wins from INDYCAR, to IMSA, to NASCAR to FIA World Endurance Championship. Not least, add in victories with 8 different manufacturers. For certain, selected drivers Sara Price and Kyle Leduc are honored to race for such a Team’s legacy, and equally Segi TV Chip Ganassi Racing are privileged to have such drivers race for them.
Veloce Racing sports collaborative partnership with double Formula E Champion Jean-Eric Vergne, tech genius Adrian Newey along with small group of young entrepreneurs. Driver line-up is quite startling with 2019 WSeries winner Jamie Chadwick paired with Stephane Sarrazin– the most diverse racing driver in the field. Chadwick’s steely resolve to battle up front lap after lap combined with Sarrazin’s vast array of racing knowledge from the circuits of Le Mans, to GP, to FIA World Rally Championship will mix up positions at the top.
Without any introduction, Lewis Hamilton’s Team X44 remains super special entry for Extreme E Series. Not only has the 7 x Formula One World Champion set heart, soul and life to making change count within Motorsport industry, but equally opened pathways for principles of equality, sustainability and making environs cleaner the highest priority of the future. In the hands of X44 Team, the highly accomplished drivers of Cristina Gutierrez and Sebastien Loeb will undoubtedly write the next chapter in Motorsport history.
Header photo: Extreme E Desert Prix. Words: Sharon Cox.
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