Extreme E has announced that the new series will see mixed gender teams, with a male and female driver sharing the same car.
The new racing series sees all-electric SUV’s compete across five remote locations across the world and is a concept thought up by Formula E founder Alejandro Agag, who hopes the series will highlight climate change and environmental concerns.
Extreme E teams will be composed of a male and a female driver, competing together in every two-lap race as driver and co-driver. Each will complete one lap behind the wheel of the ODYSSEY 21 electric-SUV, with a changeover incorporated into the race format.
“This is a first in motor racing,” commented Agag. “We are ensuring with our sporting format that drivers of all backgrounds will be able to compete with the same tools at their disposal at every event on the calendar.
“We are striving for equality, and this sporting format is the truest reflection of that goal. Everybody will race together and the most effective combination of drivers, team, engineer and car will rise to the top.”
Michèle Mouton, President of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, added: “This is a great opportunity for women and men to team up, compete together and against each other with the same material.
“Alejandro [Agag] and his team continue to really support gender equality in our sport with concrete actions that help highlight the ability of female racers and give them a chance. It will be interesting to see the team line-ups as they are announced and I look forward to following Season One when it starts early next year.”
The full race and championship format is approaching finalisation and will be revealed in the coming weeks. Further team, sporting and partnership announcements will follow as the championship continues to take shape apace ahead of Season 1, which is set to kick off in early 2021.
