The 2021 Extreme E calendar has been revealed, the first season for this new all-electric, off-road, one-make racing series. It will begin next year, at a virtual event, and as we’ve previously reported, the new series will feature, among a star cast, teams founded by F1 world champions, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
The Global Series Launch, which premiered the full season as well as the full team roster – liveries and all – was fully virtual, with representatives joining proceedings remotely from across the globe. The big news is that the timetable is revised, with a new finale in Argentine Patagonia.
“We are delighted to confirm that Patagonia in Argentina will feature in our Season 1 calendar, and it will certainly make an incredible race experience for teams and viewers alike,” said Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E. Agag went on to highlight the serious environmental significance of the location, given it is under threat from glacial retreat.
“Our Virtual Launch has been an incredible format to unveil our Season 1 calendar and the team cars, whilst also refining our virtual experience capabilities – a key theme of Extreme E – particularly during the time of COVID-19.
“Our team has been working really hard behind the scenes and despite the pandemic and the challenges it has provided, we are on track for our first race in March 2021. The series has gained massive momentum with no less than two Formula 1 World Champions signing up with their own teams alongside other powerhouses in the motorsport world, and there is much more to come as we announce drivers in the coming months.”
Updated 09:00 30th July 2021. Following the postponement of the event in Brazil and Argentina due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Extreme E has announced that an agreement has been made in principle with Sardinian officials to host the fourth event of its opening season, the Island X Prix, from 23rd-24th October 2021.
“Extreme E was built around the ethos of racing electric vehicles in remote environments in an effort to raise awareness for climate change issues and showcase the performance and benefits of low carbon vehicles," said Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E. "However, this crisis is not a problem which only affects remote locations. It is becoming increasingly noticeable closer to home, across North America, and here across Europe, with rising temperatures, heatwaves and wildfires, which currently rage in Sardinia itself, being some of the latest devastating examples.
“Together with our supportive hosts and our Scientific Committee and Partners, we will usethe power of sport to educate on the causes of these climate issues which are taking placeright here in front of us, as we aim to open eyes even wider to the need for all of us to takecollective action, now, before it’s too late.”
Updated 17:00 Friday 11th June 2021. In another Covid-induced blow to motorsport, Extreme E has announced that it is looking for alternative destinations for the final two races of its five-race inaugural season.
Both the Brazilian Amazon X Prix, 23rd-24th October, and the Argentina Glacier X Prix, 11th-12th December, will be unable to go ahead, with the organisers deciding to postpone visiting the region until Season 2.
As a result, they are seeking alternative locations, and are considering an event in the Western Isles, Scotland ahead of Glasgow hosting the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in November.
Founder and CEO of Extreme E, Alejandro Agag, said: “We’ve been closely monitoring the situation regarding all Extreme E locations for 2021 and have chosen to make this pre-emptive decision on racing in South America this year. As a new series embarking on our opening Season, our priority is to deliver a five-race calendar of events which are safe and responsible for our global participants, partners and staff to travel to and attend.
“This was not a decision made lightly, however current travel advice and restrictions have also meant we have been unable to visit the race areas in advance to undertake the necessary reconnaissance visits, which are especially vital due to the remote nature of our operations.
“We will of course continue to support our important reforestation and agroforestry initiatives which are already well underway in the region thanks to the help of Dr Francisco Olivieira and our partnership with The Nature Conservancy in Brazil. We would also like to thank the local authorities in Brazil and Argentina who have been supportive throughout the whole process and we hope we can return in 2022.”
Two successful events have already taken place – the Desert X Prix in Saudi Arabia and Ocean X Prix in Senegal – with the third, Arctic X Prix, in Greenland at the end of August.
Round |
Event |
Date |
Country |
Location |
1 |
Desert X Prix |
20th-21st Mar. |
Saudi Arabia |
Al Ula |
2 |
Ocean X Prix |
29th-30th May. |
Senegal |
Lac Rose |
3 |
Arctic X Prix |
28th-29th Aug. |
Greenland |
Kangerlussusaq |
4 |
Island X Prix |
23rd-24th Oct. |
Italy |
Sardinia |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
Extreme E
EV
Lewis Hamilton
Nico Rosberg
Calendar