Extreme E completes Rookie Test

Following the Enel X Island X Prix, the series plus its teams and partners have completed activities including the very first testing of the Continental 2022 tyre and a Rookie driving opportunity.

Extreme E teams were offered the chance to invite up to two drivers (one male and one female) to experience the all-electric ODYSSEY 21 car, whilst immersing themselves amongst the paddock and the unique nature of the series.  Drivers selected by teams included a range of emerging talent from the off-road world.

The ACCIONA | Sainz XE Team introduced 21-year-old Swedish protégé Klara Andersson to Extreme E. Having made a wildcard appearance at the 2019 RallyX Nordic final at Tier Arena in the RX Academy class, this year Klara became the 2021 Swedish Rallycross Championship Champion in the 2150 class, and recently had her first electric experience in the RX2e Championship.

Lewis Hamilton’s X44 team invited 19-year-old Seth Quintero. The young Californian burst onto the scene back in 2014 when he won the youth class of the UTV World Championship. This year, Seth became the youngest ever stage winner at the Dakar, making him an exciting addition to Extreme E.

Rosberg X Racing invited Stéphane Peterhansel, famous for his 14 Dakar victories, to test the ODYSSEY 21 but have been clear this doesn’t mean he will drive in 2022. He was joined by Italian Tamara Molinaro, an experienced World Rally Championship driver having previously won the Ladies Trophy in the 2017 European Rally Championship becoming the second-youngest winner after Andretti United Extreme E’s Catie Munnings – after winning four of the eight rounds and topping the table in 40 stages.

Norwegian sensation Hedda Hosås, 20, who has been competing in the Norwegian Rallycross Championship and recently made a guest appearance in the Danish championship in September, joined the Veloce team for the X Prix weekend, alongside two-time South African Cross Country Series (SACCS) Class T champion Lance Woolridge. Unfortunately, the pairing were unable to get behind the wheel following Stéphane Sarrazin’s roll in Sunday’s Crazy Race, which he walked away from unharmed.

Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, said: “I’m delighted to see that we have got such exciting talent interested in competing in our unique series. These new faces were allowed practice time in the car ahead of completing timed course laps. It’s great to see the wealth of driving talent making the most of this immersive experience.”

ACCIONA | Sainz XE Team: Klara Anderrson (SWEDEN)

X44: Seth Quintero (USA)

Rosberg X Racing: Tamara Molinaro (ITALY), Stéphane Peterhansel (FRANCE)

Veloce Racing: Hedda Hosås (NORWAY), Lance Wooldridge (SOUTH AFRICA)

Driver quotes:

Klara Anderrson

“Today has been for sure challenging. The car is an absolute beast and the course is really challenging but I’m really enjoying it. This is a new era of motorsport and I’m really happy to be a part of and get some miles in the car and learn some things.

“Since I have only done Rallycross, to be here with Carlos Sainz is amazing to compare my times to his and learn as much as I can. This is a perfect day for us rookies to get to grips with the car and see what the whole Extreme E concept is about.

“I think it is super cool that Extreme E has the 50/50 split between the genders. I think it is about time actually - it is really nice to see males and females race together as a team. There isn't a difference between men and women in this type of sport so I’m super happy to be in a sport where it doesn't matter if you are female or male and we can do this together alongside the sustainability part - it is just amazing.

“For sure this is my first step into Extreme E and this is a dream I’ve had for quite some time. I've watched the races really closely and Rallycross may be my passion but this is on my list also so I’m super happy to be here and try the car and see what it’s about."

Seth Quintero

“I’ve never driven an electric car before, so hopping in this and not really having an experience was honestly quite the treat. I hadn't done anything else and to come off the start and having full torque all the time is pretty fun and being able to hear your team manager on the radio is nice too - it's nice and quiet in there.

“I think Extreme E is a rad concept. Obviously they are travelling around the world and really trying to shed light on what is going on, whether it is global warming or something else, it is cool to see. There are not a lot of motorsports trying to do that. Obviously motorsports are going to hurt the planet a little bit, and it is nice to see that we are trying to change that. I’m not the oldest so I’m hoping I can be in racing for a long time, and I think with Extreme E we will be able to do that.

“The car that I’m driving has got quite the two names behind it honestly with Cristina and Seb. Just being in Seb’s seat is pretty cool. I’ve been looking up to him since I can remember, he has been in the game a long time and I’m just starting to get into the game. So I’m excited to hopefully be driving a little bit more. This rookie test has been a good time and I’m really thankful for this opportunity.”

Tamara Molinaro

“I am here driving for the Rosberg team, which is a big honour for me as they are the Championship leaders at the moment. They have a lot of experience and it's my first time working with the guys and I really loved it. They are super professional and it is really a pleasure to work with them.

“I really needed to get some mileage in the car, to spend a bit of time behind the steering wheel. You know normally when we do the battery test on the Sunday before the event it’s just like maybe one lap or two – at the end of the day it’s not so much time in the car, so for sure this helped me building a lot more confidence. This is something that I’m not used to, all these bumps and this kind of off-road racing, coming from rally and rallycross, you know it’s completely different so for sure this day has really helped me a lot and it was amazing to be able to work with so many professional people, so it was for sure a great experience and I’m really thankful for this.

“I think it is brilliant that Extreme E actually tries to give a chance to somebody that is super good and wants to do this. It is an opportunity to stand out at the end of the day, so if you're doing well and people are talking you never know what will happen.

“Like I always say there is not much space for women in motorsport. But Extreme E created a new, different world for this. We deserve to have a place in motorsport. We deserve to be considered the same level as the boys, so for sure this is great.

“I absolutely love it. At the end of the day like I said before it is all about the driving. We are here to enjoy the driving and obviously this is something that I have loved all my life so having the opportunity to spend time here is just incredible.”