J’can Mcconnell’s racing team wins round three in Extreme E
JAMAICAN rally cross sensation Fraser Mcconnell and his team maintained their top-qualifying form to take the win in round three at the Hydro X Prix in Scotland on Saturday.
The victory marks Fraser Mcconnell’s first win in Extreme E and the season two champions’ first win of the 2023 campaign.
Mcconnell and Cristina Gutiérrez crossed the line in second place, but a penalty for on-course winners Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E dropped British star Catie Munnings and teammate Timmy Hansen down to second place.
“It’s amazing to get my first win for X44. It’s been something that I’ve been working towards, not just for me but for the whole team. It just goes to show that prioritising opportunity and inclusivity doesn’t have to come at the cost of performance, and we’re proud to be showing what’s possible here in Extreme E.
“We didn’t have the best starting position — second from the outside — so I knew I was going to have to do something a little risky to get in front, which I managed, then I went a little wide and they got the better run, but that’s racing. We were able to stay close enough to capitalise on their [Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E] penalty. A win is always a win and [we were] very happy to do this one for X44,” said Mcconnell.
The Jamaican carried this pace into the first steep ascent of the course, but Mcconnell’s speed caused him to run wide, opening the door for Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E’s Hansen to pull up alongside and exit the climb in the lead.
Coming in third were Carl Cox Motorsport, scoring their maiden podium finish in the championship after just three rounds and at International DJ Carl Cox’s home, X Prix.
Mcconnell is in fourth of 10 teams in the overall standings on 51 points, with the third event set for July 8-9 at the Island Xprix in Sardinia, Italy.
Mconnell’s X44 team are the reigning champions, having taken the 2022 title with Gutierrez and Sebastien Loeb behind the wheel. They will be looking to defend their crown with seven more rounds to come in the season.