2021 Extreme E Championship

The 2021 Extreme E Championship is the inaugural season of the Extreme E electric off-road racing series. It started on 3 April with the Desert X-Prix in Saudi Arabia.[1]

Calendar

A provisional race schedule was announced on 17 December 2019, which would have seen a season start in January 2021 with an event in Senegal.[2] But because of delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic the start of the season was pushed back to spring 2021, and a race in Patagonia was presented to replace a Nepal-based event.[3] On 11 June 2021, both South American events –planned to be held in Ushuaia, Argentina and Santarém, Brazil– were cancelled, with championship CEO Alejandro Agag stating they are "seeking alternate destinations".[4] In late July, the Island X-Prix on Sardinia was announced as the first replacement race.[5] A Jurassic X-Prix, due to take place in Dorset, was revealed in October as the new season finale.[6]

Locations of the 2021 races
Round Dates Event Location
1 3–4 April 2021 Desert X-Prix Al-'Ula, Saudi Arabia
2 29–30 May 2021 Ocean X-Prix Lac Rose, Senegal
3 28–29 August 2021 Arctic X-Prix Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
4 23–24 October 2021 Island X-Prix Sardinia, Italy
5 18–19 December 2021 Jurassic X-Prix Dorset, United Kingdom

The following events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

Original Dates Event Location
14–15 May 2021 Mountain X-Prix Kali Gandaki Gorge, Nepal
23–24 October 2021 Amazon X-Prix Santarém, Brazil
11–12 December 2021 Glacier X-Prix Ushuaia, Argentina

Race format

A race weekend consists of two rounds of qualifying time trials on Saturday, followed by multi-car races on Sunday. At the Desert X-Prix all races were intended for three cars: a semi-final from which two teams advanced to the final, a "crazy race" from which only one team advanced and a shoot-out for the bottom three places, culminating in a three-car final.[7] The format was tweaked for round two in Senegal, where two teams each from two semi-finals advance to the final which is competed by four teams. Additionally, a "super sector" is introduced, where five extra points are awarded to the fastest team through that sector over the whole weekend.[8] Further alterations were introduced for round three in Greenland, most notably a five-car final with one team progressing from the erstwhile shoot-out, now called "crazy race". An intermediate classification points system was also implemented, with teams receiving points from 9 down to 1 according to their place in each qualifying session; the sum of these, rather than aggregate times, determining their overall qualifying position. These classification points would not contribute to overall championship points.[9] Another rule adjustment was introduced at the season finale in Dorset to accommodate the short nature of the circuit, each session now consisting of three laps, with the starting driver, who in the final would be the female driver, taking the first two.[10]

Teams and drivers
Extreme E car: the Odyssey 21

The following teams and drivers are competing in the 2021 Championship. All teams use one of the identical Odyssey 21 electric SUVs manufactured by Spark Racing Technology, with Chip Ganassi Racing running a modified bodywork.[11] Each team consists of a male and a female driver, who share a car and have equal driving duties.[12]

Team No. Drivers Rounds
Veloce Racing[13] 5 Jamie Chadwick[14] 1–2, 5
Emma Gilmour[15] 3–4
Stéphane Sarrazin[16] 1–4
Lance Woolridge[17] 5
Rosberg X Racing[18] 6 Johan Kristoffersson[19] All
Molly Taylor[20] All
JBXE[21] 22 Jenson Button[21] 1
Kevin Hansen[22] 2–5
Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky[23] All
Andretti United Extreme E[24][25] 23 Catie Munnings[26] All
Timmy Hansen[26] All
Hispano Suiza Xite Energy Team[27]
Xite Energy Racing[28][N 1]		 42 Christine GZ[27] All
Oliver Bennett[27] All
Team X44[29] 44 Cristina Gutiérrez[30] All
Sébastien Loeb[30] All
Acciona | Sainz XE Team[31] 55 Carlos Sainz[31] All
Laia Sanz[31] All
Segi TV Chip Ganassi Racing[32] 99 Kyle LeDuc[33] All
Sara Price[32] All
Abt Cupra XE[34] 125 Claudia Hürtgen[34] 1–2[N 2]
Jutta Kleinschmidt[35][36] 2–5
Mattias Ekström[37] All
Championship reserve drivers
Drivers Rounds
Jutta Kleinschmidt[38] 1–2
Tamara Molinaro[39] 3–5
Timo Scheider[40] All

Mid-season changes

Results and standings

X-Prix
Round Event Qualifying 1 Qualifying 2 Qualifying Overall Semi-Final 1 Semi-Final 2[N 3] Crazy Race[N 4] Super Sector[N 5] Final Report
1 Desert X-Prix Rosberg X Racing Team X44 Team X44 Rosberg X Racing Andretti United XE Abt Cupra XE not awarded Rosberg X Racing Report
2 Ocean X-Prix Team X44 Team X44 Team X44 Rosberg X Racing JBXE Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing Rosberg X Racing Report
3 Arctic X-Prix Team X44 Rosberg X Racing Team X44 Team X44 Andretti United XE JBXE Andretti United XE Andretti United XE Report
4 Island X-Prix Team X44 Team X44 Team X44 Chip Ganassi Racing Rosberg X Racing JBXE Team X44 Rosberg X Racing Report
5 Jurassic X-Prix Team X44 Team X44 Team X44 Team X44 Rosberg X Racing Andretti United XE Team X44 Team X44 Report
Scoring system

Points are awarded to the top nine drivers based on aggregate qualifying standings, as well as the top nine finishers. From the second round on, an additional 5 points are given to the fastest team in the Super Sector over the whole weekend.

Position  1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th   7th   8th   9th   SS 
Qualifying 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 5[N 6]
Race day 25 19 18 15 12 10 8 6 4

Only the best four X-Prix results count towards the drivers' championship.

Drivers' Championship standings
Pos. Driver DES
 OCE
 ARC
 ISL
 JUR
 Points
Q R Q R Q R Q R Q R
1 Johan Kristoffersson
Molly Taylor		 3 1 2 1 3 5 2 1 2 4 133
2 Cristina Gutiérrez
Sébastien Loeb		 1 3 1 4 1 4 1 5 1 1 121
3 Catie Munnings
Timmy Hansen		 4 2 8 9 4 1 6 6 7 3 103
4 Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky 6 6 4 3 8 2 7 3 5 2 102
4 Kevin Hansen 4 3 8 2 7 3 5 2 102
5 Carlos Sainz
Laia Sanz		 2 4 9 8 6 3 4 7 3 5 90
6 Mattias Ekström 8 7 3 5 2 7 3 2 4 7 87
6 Jutta Kleinschmidt 3 5 2 7 3 2 4 7 87
7 Sara Price 7 8 7 7 7 9 5 4 8 8 60
7 Stéphane Sarrazin 9 WD 5 2 5 6 8 8 60
8 Kyle LeDuc 7 8 7 7 7 9 5 4 8 8 59[N 7]
9 Christine GZ
Oliver Bennett		 5 5 6 6 9 8 9 9 9 9 55
10 Jamie Chadwick 9 WD 5 2 6 6 48
11 Emma Gilmour 5 6 8 8 29
12 Jenson Button 6 6 17
12 Lance Woolridge 6 6 17
13 Claudia Hürtgen 8 7 WD WD 13
Pos. Driver DES
 OCE
 ARC
 ISL
 JUR
 Points
Key
ColourResult
GoldWinner
Silver2nd place
Bronze3rd place
GreenOther points position
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)

* – Fastest in Super Sector

Teams' Championship standings
Pos. Team DES
 OCE
 ARC
 ISL
 JUR
 Points
Q R Q R Q R Q R Q R
1 Rosberg X Racing 3 1 2 1 3 5 2 1 2 4 155
2 Team X44 1 3 1 4 1 4 1* 5 1 1* 155
3 JBXE 6 6 4 3 8 2 7 3 5 2 119
4 Andretti United Extreme E 4 2 8 9 4* 1 6 6 7 3 117
5 Abt Cupra XE 8 7 3 5 2 7 3 2 4 7 100
6 Acciona | Sainz XE Team 2 4 9 8 6 3 4 7 3 5 100
7 Veloce Racing 9 WD 5 2 5 6 8 8 6 6 77
8 Segi TV Chip Ganassi Racing 7 8 7* 7 7 9 5 4 8 8 74[N 7]
9 Hispano Suiza Xite Energy Team
Xite Energy Racing		 5 5 6 6 9 8 9 9 9 9 63
Pos. Team DES
 OCE
 ARC
 ISL
 JUR
 Points

Notes
  1. Hispano Suiza Xite Energy Team was re-branded as Xite Energy Racing ahead of round 2.
  2. Claudia Hürtgen was entered for round 2 but was replaced after shakedown by Jutta Kleinschmidt for medical reasons.
  3. Semi-Final 2 was known as the "Crazy Race" at the season-opening Desert X-Prix.
  4. The Crazy Race was known as the "Shootout" at the first two rounds of the season.
  5. Commercially known as the "Continental Traction Challenge" at rounds 4 and 5.
  6. Only for the teams' championship.
  7. Chip Ganassi Racing and Kyle LeDuc received a 1 championship point penalty for causing a collision in the shoot-out race of the Desert X-Prix.[45]

References
  1. "One month until Extreme E series crowns its first ever race champion in Saudi Arabia". automobilsport.com. 4 March 2021.
  2. "Extreme E unveils schedule for inaugural season". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  3. "Argentina replaces Nepal, first Extreme E round delayed". dirtfish.com. 26 October 2020.
  4. "Extreme E: South American races update". Extreme E. 11 June 2021.
  5. "Extreme E adds Island X-Prix in Sardinia to its calendar". dirtfish.com. 30 July 2021.
  6. "Extreme E reveals Jurassic X Prix season finale". SportsPro. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  7. "Dust concerns force major Extreme E format change". dirtfish.com. 31 March 2021.
  8. "Extreme E set for Ocean X Prix". extreme-e.com. 24 May 2021.
  9. "Five-car Final for Arctic X Prix". extreme-e.com. 17 August 2021.
  10. Kew, Matt (16 December 2021). "Female drivers to start final Extreme E round following rules adjustment". Autosport. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  11. "GMC's Hummer EV to sponsor, provide livery to Chip Ganassi in Extreme E". NBC Sports. 26 January 2021.
  12. "Extreme E takes lead on gender equality in motorsport". extreme-e.com. 20 April 2020.
  13. Lewis, Niamh (19 September 2019). "Adrian Newey: Formula 1 designer to join Extreme E". Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  14. "Jamie Chadwick to race in Extreme E with Veloce". bbc.com. 25 November 2020.
  15. "Veloce Racing's reserve driver Gilmour steps up to the plate for Arctic X Prix". extreme-e.com. 16 August 2021.
  16. "Veloce completes its Extreme E line-up with Sarrazin". dirtfish.com. 21 January 2021.
  17. Kew, Matt (2 December 2021). "Veloce drops Sarrazin for Extreme E finale in Dorset". Autosport. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  18. "Nico Rosberg to launch own Extreme E team". bbc.com. 22 October 2020.
  19. "Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson will drive for Nico Rosberg in Extreme E". nbcsports.com. 2 December 2020.
  20. "Taylor joins Rosberg Extreme E squad". motorsport.com. 9 December 2020.
  21. "Jenson Button joins Extreme E as driver and team owner for 2021 season". skysports.com. 25 January 2021.
  22. "JBXE announces driver swap for Senegal". extreme-e.com. 21 May 2021.
  23. "Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky joins JBXE". extreme-e.com. 12 March 2021.
  24. "Andretti Autosport Joins Extreme E Team". Extreme E. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  25. "Introducing Andretti United Extreme E Team". Extreme E. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  26. "Andretti United Extreme E confirms drivers Catie Munnings and Timmy Hansen". extreme-e.com. 28 September 2020.
  27. "Hispano Suiza replaces HWA in debut season of Extreme E". motorsportweek.com. 15 December 2020.
  28. "XITE ENERGY RACING re-brand ready for Extreme E's Dakar challenge". Mailchimp. 28 May 2021.
  29. "Lewis Hamilton founds Extreme E team". extreme-e.com. 8 September 2020.
  30. "Lewis Hamilton's Extreme E team hires Sebastien Loeb and Cristina Gutierrez". bbc.co.uk. 12 November 2020.
  31. "ACCIONA, Carlos Sainz and QEV Technologies team up to compete in Extreme E". extreme-e.com. 30 November 2020.
  32. "Chip Ganassi Racing Commits to Extreme E". Extreme E. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  33. "Chip Ganassi Racing confirm Extreme E driver line-up with Kyle LeDuc signing". www.extreme-e.com. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  34. "Claudia Hürtgen completes ABT CUPRA XE driver line-up". Extreme E. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  35. "Extreme E on Twitter". Twitter. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  36. "Jutta Kleinschmidt to race for ABT CUPRA XE". Extreme E. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  37. "ABT confirms Mattias Ekström as male driver and CUPRA as main partner". Extreme E. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  38. "Extreme E announces Jutta Kleinschmidt as Advisor and Championship Driver". Extreme E. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  39. "Tamara Molinaro joins Extreme E as Championship Driver". Extreme E. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  40. Kew, Matt (15 March 2021). "Double DTM champion Scheider signed as XE reserve driver". Autosport. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  41. "Kevin Hansen replaces Jenson Button for next XE event". dirtfish.com. 21 May 2021.
  42. "Abt driver Hurtgen out of Senegal XE round with virus, Kleinschmidt to sub in". autosport.com. 28 May 2021.
  43. "Kleinschmidt to replace Hurtgen for full XE season at Abt". motorsport.com. 24 June 2021.
  44. "Chadwick to miss Arctic Extreme E as Gilmour gets Veloce drive". motorsport.com. 16 August 2021.
  45. "03 - Classification - Shoot Out" (PDF). Al Kamel Systems. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
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