XE Sports Group Joins Extreme E for 2023

Extreme E and the XE Sports group have announced that the latter will be joining the Extreme E grid for 2023.

The XE Sports Group will become the first Asian Pacific Team headquartered in Australia to compete in the series – demonstrating the off-road electric racing series’ ever-expanding reach across the globe.

Image: Extreme E Media Centre

The team officially signed its contract in Monaco earlier this week on board the St Helena, the series’ floating centrepiece, which transports the Extreme E cars, freight and logistics around the world. Eagle eyed viewers watching the Monaco grand Prix last week might have spotted it outside the main marina overlooking the famous street circuit.

“Since its inception, Extreme E has demonstrated to be a major drawcard for both extreme racing and climate awareness plus diversity, which aligns perfectly with the XE Sports Group’s focus of raising awareness of global climate and social challenges with the ability to make a real impact at the ground, local level.” – Luke Todd, Director of the XE Sports Group.
Moreover, sporting executive and former international professional football star Tim Cahill will also be a member of the group from its inception.

“I’m really excited to be a part of this team. The combination of thrilling, competitive racing and leaving a lasting, positive impact makes the sport totally unique. We look to bringing a significant new audience to Extreme E from within the millions of football fans across the world.”

XE Sports Group is the impact sports division of EVDirect.com. They are the distributors of BYD Passenger Vehicles within Australia and New Zealand and their investment and participation in Extreme E will enable them to showcase what BYD has to offer while raising awareness within Australia and the wider Asia Pacific Region of the benefits of electric vehicle technology.

“The grid is really filling up now and it’s great to have our first Asian Pacific team involved. This championship is growing and the countdown to Season 3 starts now!” – Alejandro Agag, Extreme E Founder.

Image: Extreme E Media Centre

We don’t yet know who will race for the new team but fan favourite choices to join the series have included the Iceman himself Kimi Raikkonen, current Aston Martin F1 driver Sebastian Vettel and Hedda Hosas.

Extreme E aims to minimise environmental impact but maximise awareness as it races in places that have already been damaged or affected by climate change. This takes fans deeper into the heart of the most pressing environmental issues facing the planet and showing them what they can do at home and abroad to help combat the global crisis.

At the same time, the series has built-in equality and diversity, with each team fielding one male and one female driver. The 2022 grid contains the likes of Christine GZ, Tanner Foust, Carlos Sainz, Molly Taylor and Sebastien Loeb.

The next round of Extreme E will take place in Sardinia from 6th – 10th July 2022.

Author: Thiemo Albers-Daly