Extreme E: The future of racing is here – everything you need to know
Published on Apr 24, 2022 at 12:00 PM (UTC+4)
by Thiemo Albers-Daly
Last updated on Apr 21, 2022 at 2:46 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Extreme E is an international off-road racing series that uses spec silhouette electric SUVs to race in remote parts of the world.
From the deserts of Saudi Arabia to the glaciers of Iceland and the tropical backdrops of Chile, Extreme E lives up to its name.
With drivers from every corner of the motorsport universe and close wheel-to-wheel action throughout, there’s something for everyone here.
How does it work? Which drivers are involved? Can fans get involved? Why should I watch? The answers to all of these questions can be found below.
Let’s get stuck in.
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How does Extreme E work?
Every round of the electric-racing series will incorporate two laps over a total distance of “approximately 14 kilometres”.
In a motorsport world-first, teams will field one male and one female driver, promoting gender equality and a level playing field amongst competitors.
The teams determine which driver goes first to best suit their strategy. Driver order selections are made confidentially.
Because of this, competitors are kept in the dark to other teams’ choices until the last possible moment.
The race weekend really starts to ramp up following the two qualifying sessions. Here’s what the remainder of a weekend looks like:
- Semi-Final 1 – Three-car race with top two cars going through to the Final
- Semi-Final 2 – Three-car race with top two cars going through to the Final
- Crazy Race – Four-car race with first place going through to the Final
- Final – Five-car Final with the top three going to the podium
Which drivers take part?
Imagine if DC Comics, Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter and Game of Thrones all had a massive crossover, that’s essentially what the Extreme E driver line-up is like.
Individuals from across the entire motorsport spectrum have flocked to Extreme E to see if they’ve got what it takes: Sebastien Loeb, Christine GZ, Johan Kristoffersson, Molly Taylor, Carlos Sainz, Tanner Foust, Catie Munnings, Nasser Al-Attlyah, Timmy Hansen and Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinksy.
These are just some of the epic names that take part in Extreme E.
Extreme E also has a big Formula 1 presence. F1 World Champions Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Jenson Button all own teams that compete in the electric-racing series.
What is the Extreme E mission?
The series’ goal is to use electric racing to highlight remote environments under threat of climate change issues. In doing this, they do encourage everyone to take positive action to protect our planet’s future.
Extreme E is also a signatory of the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework.
As a result of this, Extreme E promotes greater environmental responsibility, reducing the overall climate impact from sports, using its platform to educate people on climate action, promote sustainable and responsible consumption, and to advocate for climate action through communication.
“Extreme E is involved with Count Us In that gives some suggestions on everyday habits we can slowly start to change. Switching to meatless meals, being conscious of energy consumption, taking shorter showers, these are all steps we can take that will not only lessen our carbon footprint but benefit our own health.”
Extreme E star Izy Rekiel
The cars used in Extreme E are shipped from country to country in the St Helena, a repurposed old Royal Mail delivery ship that has now become a floating garage and research lab.
Research is carried out on the ship by scientists from both Oxford and Cambridge on their season-long voyage. Anyone else getting classic James Bond vibes?
Finally, at each race location, Extreme E plans to leave behind a legacy project. For example, creating projects that benefits the local environment and community.
Furthermore, the drivers will get involved which is always great to see.
Therefore, the electric racing series aims to empower local communities and to promote renewable energy in order to grow economies while reducing carbon emissions, etc.
Can fans get involved?
Grid Play puts the fans at the centre of the action to help influence the outcome of a race.
Fans get to vote for their favourite drivers and the team with the most votes will get to choose their spot on the grid for the Final Race on Sunday.
They can vote twice a day. The total number of votes for both drivers in a team are added
together to present the final result.
The five teams that qualify for the final will take their percentage of the votes.
Anything else?
Extreme H, a new spinoff championship, will debut in 2024.
The brand-new, hydrogen-powered championship will race in the same locations as Extreme E on the same days and with the same sporting format.
Extreme E is brilliant new form of motorsport. Currently in its second season, now is the perfect time to get on board.
With EV technology constantly improving, it’s only a matter of time before Tesla enters a team, isn’t it?
If not in Extreme E, then surely in Extreme H because that has Elon Musk written all over it.
In conclusion, with extreme locations, electric racing, famous motorsport names, groundbreaking research and a feel-good factor – how could you not watch Extreme E?
The next round of Extreme E takes place in Sardinia on July 6-7, 2022.
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Thiemo is a motorsports writer and podcast producer for ‘On the Kerbs’. A film connoisseur, he can easily give a two hour long dissertation on why Skyfall is the best Bond film. Like ever.
