EXTREME E starts this weekend! My regular readers know that I love both Formula 1 and Formula E. EXTREME E though is even more exciting because of what it represents. Formula 1 is all about speed. Formula E is an electric alternative to Formula 1 and the involvement of manufacturers in racing drives forward innovation for electric cars destined for the road.
EXTREME E is different because of their focus. The 2021 season, the first one, has key locations for their races, showing the problems these places face due to climate change. The races have a double impact. One is to raise awareness of the problems made by climate change, in the most remote corners of the planet. The second impact will be made by the Legacy Programme they made, this means they will work alongside those communities, according to their individual needs.
The races are in:
Wadi Rum, AlUla, Saudi Arabia – 03-04 April 2021
Lac Rose, Dakar, Senegal – 29-30 May 2021
Kangerlussuaq, Greenland – 28-29 August 2021
Santarem, Para,
Brazil – 23-24 October 2021
TIERRA DEL FUEGO, ARGENTINA – 11-12 December 2021
The SUV cars are all-electric, furthermore there will be no spectators to the races because they want to protect these places. Big names in motorsport joined in this adventure, with people like Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, and Nico Rosberg being involved.
The cars are impressive on their own, as they can reach 100km/h in 4.5 seconds, that is not far to what a sports car (for the road) can do, but, as I mentioned, these are SUV! On top of that they can travel at gradients of up to 130 percent.
Drivers, from left to right: Cristina Gutierrez (ESP) and Sebastien Loeb (FRA) for X44,
Timmy Hansen (SWE) and Catie Munnings (GBR) for Andretti United Extreme E,
Kyle Leduc (USA) and Sara Price (USA) for Segi TV Chip Ganassi Racing,
Stephane Sarrazin (FRA) and Jamie Chadwick (GBR) for Veloce Racing,
Johan Kristoffersson (SWE) and Molly Taylor (AUS) for Rosberg X Racing,
Mattias Ekstrom (SWE) and Claudia Hurtgen (GER) for ABT CUPRA XE, and Jenson Button (GBR), JBXE Extreme-E Team
As if everything so far was not amazing enough, this is also the first gender equal motorsport series in the world, with each team having a male and a female driver.
The rules state that each team will have one female and one male driver in identical cars, over a two lap race. This is making a level playing field amongst competitors.
In UK you can watch the races on BBC Red Button, starting from tomorrow morning at 7am. If it’s too early, just record them and have a look during the day. Even if you don’t usually watch races, have a look, maybe you might discover you like this new championship with spectacular views, electric SUVs, and a very mix driver line-up.
My partner loves Formula 1 but I’ve never heard of formula E. Looks interesting! My partners best friend a mechanic for mercedes so we see him all the time on TV during pit stops and stuff!
Formula E is even more exciting that F1 because the cars are much more close to each other and there is a lot of overtaking. I think he would like both Formula E and Extreme E as sports. How fab to see a friend on TV at a race, that must be exciting!
I’m not a fan of car racing, but I’m impressed by this. Electric SUVs!
Kelly recently posted…Lawn Mower Race
It’s very impressive. They reached high speeds (over 130 kilometres an hour) in the desert, on sand. I was amazed by what those cars can achieve.
I have never even heard of Extreme E but I love the concept behind it. It is like an eco-friendly alternative to Formula 1. It’s wonderful that it brings forward innovation for electric cars.
Happy Easter weekend!
I saw the qualifying today and it’s amazing. I love their views on climate change and what they are doing.
Happy Easter weekend too! xx