Extreme E returns with Saudi double header

THE first race of the 2023 Extreme E championship takes place this weekend at the Desert X Prix in Saudi Arabia. The allelectric off-road series, which races close to fragile ecosystems to highlight the impact of climate change, will host 10 events at five venues. Following the double-header in Saudi, the series moves to Scotland and Sardinia, then two further venues still to be confirmed in either the US, Brazil or Chile.

Last year saw rally icon Sébastien Loeb and Dakar Rally stage winner Cristina Gutiérrez take championship victory for the Lewis Hamilton-owned X44 squad, narrowly ahead of Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky and Johan Kristoffersson driving for the RXR team backed by Nico Rosberg.

This year, Carl Cox Motorsport, run by the world-renowned DJ, takes to the field with a line-up that pairs double DTM German touring car champ and rallycross driver Timo Schieder with Christine

Giampaoli Zonca, who competed in Extreme E for Veloce Racing in 2021.

Carlos Sainz has stepped down from driving for the Sainz XE team as a result of injuries he sustained in a crash at the Dakar Rally in January. The 60-year-old double World Rally champ will be replaced by Mattias Ekström, who has previously won titles in rallycross, DTM and super touring cars, and has competed in Extreme E.

Coverage of Extreme E’s qualifying rounds will be available to watch live on Extreme E’s social channels, while the final will be broadcast on ITV4.

“Following the Saudi double, the series moves to Scotland and Sardinia, then two further venues”