Parity in Extreme E, the story of a long project

As much a marketing as a technological tool, the Extreme E championship recently announced the obligation of mixed duos, made up of a man and a woman, within each SUV. An unprecedented mix of genres in motorsport aimed at promoting the place of women in a world historically the preserve of men. Right-thinking linked to the feminist #MeToo era?

The figures, however, are intractable. Of the 764 drivers to have presented themselves in the paddock of a Grand Prix of Formula 1 in 70 years of existence, there are barely five women! Worse still, only two of them avoided the pitfall of pre-qualifications, the Italians Maria Theresa de Filippis and Lella Lombardi in the 1950s and 1970s. The observation turns out to be a little more joyful in Endurance with 39 participants in the history of 24 Hours of Le Mans and the prospect of two cars driven solely by women next September.

However, the presence of a 100% female crew in June 2019 (Gostner-Frey-Gatting in GTE Am) was treated more from the angle of curiosity and the event, a sign that this initiative still remains on the fringes of the morals of motor sports. “When you are a woman and you fight against men, you inevitably attract attention,” then underlined Manuela Gostner (see Ah n°2217). However, isn't the purpose of parity based on equal treatment between women and men? 

Based on this question, Alexander Agag, the founder of Extreme E, decided to strike hard by forcing all teams to pair a man with a woman. “The teams are super positive, as are our partners, he explained to us while the entrepreneur was confined in his London office. Their reaction even surprised me quite a bit, I must admit. You never know, motorsport being dominated by men…” The electric 4×4 discipline, whose start should be postponed by a few months to spring 2021 in Dakar (Senegal) due to the coronavirus crisis, does not want to separate men from women, quite the contrary.

Each round will last two rounds, with one loop for each athlete. A change at the stand will therefore take place halfway through, but the teams will have the choice in the order of the relays (the woman or the man first). “It’s going to be super interesting on a tactical level,” continues the Spaniard. We leave this variable there in order to mix men and women even more. Otherwise, we would have had all the men at the same time followed by the women, or the opposite. This would amount to gender segregation. My dream would be to see a woman cross the finish line first. » But before imagining yourself writing the history of sport, you have to find the right recipe. 

Different mentality

Tennis played the role of inspiration, “a sport of which I am a fan”, assures Alejandro Agag. “Mixed doubles tournaments have existed since the days of Martina Navratilova (59 Grand Slam titles. Editor’s note) in the 70s and 80s, so why not incorporate it into motor sports? This is the ideal way for men and women to have the same importance in sporting results. » And presto, we thus avoid the criticisms leveled against the W Series, accused of devaluing the power of Women by preventing them from confronting Men. “The W Series is very good, but I prefer the idea of ​​working as a team between a man and a woman, together. » 

Far from being part of a policy of feminist recovery, the creator of the Formula E finally sees his desire for parity come to fruition, after years of unsuccessful activism. “It’s not an obsession, but close. Already, when I was at the head of my GP2 Series team (Barwa, bought from Adrian Campos in 2007. Editor’s note), I had the idea of ​​integrating more women into the team's staff.

Then, 12 years ago, I personally financed a stable of Formula 3 Spanish composed entirely of women; the idea was to attract sponsors for the following season so that the operation could continue. They didn't come, so it didn't last. » A new failure occurred in FE. “My frustration is that we have not managed to bring female drivers into the competition, although we have pushed a lot in this direction.

During the first season, two structures were willing to take women for the first races: Aguri with Katherine Legge (two tests) and Trulli with Michela Cerruti (four rounds), as well as Simona de Silvestro for the final with Andretti. Unfortunately, it's not me who decides the identity of the drivers, but the teams, and so far they prefer to bet on men. » 

Extreme E therefore wants to promote the legitimacy of women in motor racing. A more than welcome fight according to the main stakeholders. “This is a giant step in the right direction, confers Katherine Legge, present in Imsa and accustomed to making her way among men. These are the kind of proposals I have dreamed of throughout my career! »

Catie Munnings, hopeful rally, note that " From now on, women are seen so credibly than male pilots. It will not be marketing, the woman will influence the performance of the team. » According to Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky (see Box), this parity “will enable the construction of models to follow for the younger generation. More women will try their luck in our sport. » Rebalancing the balance between the number of female and male drivers at all levels of motorsport is the ultimate objective of diversity in Extreme E. 

Which women behind the wheel?

Although the Extreme E tracks and the specificities of the 4×4, very similar to a Dakar crossing machine, should benefit snow sports specialists, all profiles can apply for a contract. It is already possible to establish a shortlist from the Drivers Program, from which the 12 teams will be able to draw their drivers. Already seen in Formula E, Simona de Silvestro and Katherine Legge hold the rope. The latter would not be out of place at Chip Ganassi Racing, the US team wishing to train its crew “in the pool of American pilots” according to Mike Hull, Program Manager for the four-time winning team at the Indianapolis 500.

Little known in France, the Swede Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, host of the TCR Scandinavia, is almost certain to be there thanks to her role as development driver for the discipline's sole manufacturer, Continental. On the church side, Molly Taylor can boast a solid track record with the title of Australian rally champion in 2016. « One thing that has always appealed to me about motorsport is thatonce the helmet is on, your gender becomes irrelevant and the stopwatch no longer has any biasshe added. 

Hear from Extreme E and @continentaltire Test Driver, @MikaelaAhlinK, on why today's announcement is an important step for motorsport… pic.twitter.com/PPd667fgEd

- Extreme E (@ExtremeELive) April 30, 2020

However, I also think it is important to see how we can effectively improve diversity in our industry and this is a step in the right direction. I believe this format will provide us with new opportunities to reshape the image of our sport in the eyes of young fans, who will inevitably represent our future. » 

Finally, it would be hard to see Extreme E doing without the youth and popularity on social networks of the English Catie Munnings (22 years old, Junior driver WRC) and Jamie Chadwick (also 22 years old and W Series champion).