What is Extreme E motorsport?
Extreme E is more than simply a sport; it's a movement! It draws attention to the urgent need to address climate change. The focus is on a positive shift from fossil fuel vehicles toward electric vehicles while displaying the strength of this breakthrough technology in the harshest environments on the planet. It attempts to reinforce that our shift to electric vehicles will be critical in the world's search for carbon-neutral goals. XTREME motorsports is a game-changing new racing concept created by Formula E co-founder Alejandro Agag and Champ Car World Series star Gil de Ferran in 2018. The successful debut of Formula E inspired Agag, a politician-turned-businessman, to create Extreme E. Extreme E is also a signatory of the United Nations' Sports for Climate Action Framework. The sport was formally recognized by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in 2018.
The series does not have fans on-site and thus avoids travel-related carbon costs. Instead, the races are broadcasted and highlighted on social media. St Helena, a converted ancient Royal Mail delivery ship that has now become a floating garage and research centre, transports the automobiles used in Extreme E racing from country to country. On their season-long cruise, scientists from Oxford and Cambridge research the ship. The vehicles are charged by hydrogen fuel cells to maximize renewable energy, and the paddock utilizes a second-life battery (previously used in an electric bus). The teams are limited to seven people to reduce consumption: two drivers, one engineer, and four mechanics.
This extreme e-racing series is all-electric off-road racing that uses spec silhouette electric SUVs to race in remote parts of the world. It brings electric racing to some of the world's most remote locations, including rainforests, deserts, the icy Arctic, high altitudes, and ocean islands, highlighting various ecosystems' climate change concerns while demonstrating the capability of all-electric SUVs in extreme conditions. All racing venues are chosen to raise awareness about multiple aspects of climate change, and Extreme E maintains a "Legacy Programme" to provide social and environmental support to those locations.
The xtreme motorsports series also promotes gender equality in motorsport by requiring all teams to have a female and a male driver who share equal driving responsibilities. In each session, the team must complete two laps of the course (three for Jurassic X-Prix due to the shorter distance), with both team members driving one lap (or two-and-one for Jurassic X-Prix). The driver switch takes place in a designated "switch zone," where a speed limit and a minimal switch time are enforced for safety reasons.
Extreme E races is a two-day event, qualifying on the first day and racing on the second. Time trials against the clock are used for qualifying. Each heat's position on the time sheet is turned into points, and the total points from both heats decide the qualifying status. Championship points are awarded based on this final qualifying position.
Day Two's format will be determined by the number of entries received. Day Two in 2021 had two semi-finals, a 'crazy race', and the final. Teams qualifying first, fifth, and sixth competed in semi-final #1, while teams qualifying second, third, and fourth competed in semi-final #2—the top two cars crossing the line in these three-car races qualified for the final. The winner of the crazy race took fifth place in the final.
The qualifying run order is selected by lottery, but the final starting position is determined by fan voting. The cars at the extreme e race are lined up in a row, but the most popular teams get to choose where they want to be. Fans vote for their favorite driver, the team's two drivers pool their votes, and the aggregate winner receives the first pick. Only the top four teams from the semi-finals are eligible for these 'GridPlay' votes, albeit those who didn't make it can 'gift' any votes cast for them to a rival team.
There are additional points available in the team's championship for being the fastest car through a designated super section' - dubbed the Continental Traction Challenge – in addition to gaining championship points in qualifying and the race. The cars also have a 'Hyperdrive' boost, giving them more power during the lap for a short period. This could be used tactically in the super section to win the prize, on a straight portion of the track to gain the most time advantage – or to attack or defend.
Extreme E, the purpose-driven motorsport, has announced plans to start an off-road hydrogen championship in 2024. Extreme H will be a world-first for motorsport and sit alongside Extreme E, the company's existing electric racing series.
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