Mixed crews for each SUV in Extreme E

A true innovation laboratory, the Extreme E electric SUV championship continues to differentiate itself from other competitions on a topical theme: gender equality. Indeed, each vehicle will be equipped with a mixed crew made up of two drivers: a man and a woman.

From the first event, expected on the banks of Lake Rose in Dakar (Senegal) end of January 2021, the two athletes will take their seats in the Odyssey 21 SUV, before exchanging places at the end of the first round. Each race having two laps, the woman and the man will thus compete 50% of the total distance. 

The strategy aspect is likely to be important because the teams will be able to vary the order of the relays as they wish (the start for the woman before passing the baton to her male friend, or vice versa).

As pointed out Alexander Agag, founder and CEO of Extreme E, “this concept represents a real first in the world of motor racing. » Indeed, the W Series is reserved for women while the Formula E, already imagined by Alejandro Agag, gave the fairer sex a chance but with little success (3 women between 2014 and 2016, and that’s it).

Yet this diversity will be compulsory in Extreme E. “We work for equality, and our sports format perfectly reflects this goal. All drivers will race together in the same race, and the most effective combination of driver, team, engineer and car will prevail.

With this sporting format, we will ensure that drivers of all origins have the opportunity to compete with the same tools at each event on the calendar. »

This announcement delighted Michele Mouton, President of the FIA ​​“Women and Motorsport” Commission. “This provides a great opportunity for women and men to team up and race with and against each other using the same equipment.

Alejandro [Agag] and his team continue to work tirelessly to promote gender equality in our sport, with concrete actions that help highlight the abilities of female drivers and give them a platform. It will be interesting to learn the identities of the crews when they are announced, and I will be closely following the first season of Extreme E in 2021.”

The French Jean-Eric Vergne (present in Extreme E via his Véloce Racing team) et Sébastien Loeb also see this diversity very favorably. “It goes without saying that I strongly support this wonderful initiative from Alejandro Agag and Extreme E. There are many female drivers in our sport who possess the ability to race at a very high level, as we have could see it last year with the launch of the W Series », indicates the double Formula E champion.

“Women in motorsport is nothing new, but this format introduced today by Extreme E is truly innovative., adds the nine-time world rally champion (WRC). I was very impressed with the way the series brings new ideas to our sport, and this commitment to ensuring a platform where women can compete on equal terms with men is a great example of that. Extreme E continually thinks about the future, and for that I congratulate Alejandro and the whole team. »

Beyond gender equality, Guerlain Chichers highlights the importance of the role of co-pilot. “To go further by reversing the driver/co-driver roles to best bring out their respective skills and strengths will no doubt add an extra layer of excitement for fans and teams. We have seen many talents emerge and I can't wait to see them fight in this new format, see how they perform individually as well as as a team. »

No names have been made official regarding the women to join the Extreme E starting grid; however, Jamie Chadwick, Katherine Legge and Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky already appear in the Pilot Program reserved for testing the electric SUV.