Fastest Island X Prix course revealed
As the series returns to the region for Rounds 5 and 6 of Extreme E Season 3, the championship has unveiled a thrilling course that brings a new challenge to the 10 teams and 20 world-class drivers.
The Mediterranean island will present a tough task for both the drivers and the ODYSSEY 21. In the midst of a hot Italian summer, inland from the coastal town of Porto Pino on Sardinia’s southwest coast, the Island X Prix course sits within the Capo Teulada military training area, in collaboration with the Italian Army. There will be plenty to contend with out on course to secure maximum points from the weekend’s racing.
Extreme E caught up with Championship Driver Tamara Molinaro to explain how this year’s 2.9km Island X Prix course is the fastest Sardinian layout yet, and how delighted she is for the series to be returning to her home country.
The Italian said: “Personally, I love it. When we did some exploratory laps of the course I finished my run and got out of the car with a big smile on my face – which says it all really.
“It’s a really fun course and quite different compared to last year. After Waypoint 7 we used to take a tight right hairpin, but now we have a slight right followed by a left over the crest, which is way faster behind the wheel.
“The new part of this course is comparable in some ways to Chile, which had more of a rallycross feel to it which I’m sure a lot of the drivers will like. The first part is probably bumpier – the surface has changed a little since we were here last year, which could be interesting.
“It’s a shorter course to allow two laps for each driver compared to the 7km track last time we were in Sardinia. The fact that the track is much faster and there are two laps will create a lot more opportunities for overtaking.
“We have seen in Extreme E that nearly anywhere is an overtaking spot. I would say there are not specific places to pass here, as I think there will be lots of chances to create a move to overtake, so we’ll just have to see what the drivers and their teams come up with.
“Of course, the heat is a challenge but all the drivers are super fit, and it shouldn’t be a huge issue for them.
“As an Italian we’re super proud to have an event like Extreme E here, and we’re the only location that has been on the calendar for all three seasons. I really like the track, too, so it’s exciting to be back.”
Extreme E has been working closely with Automobile Club d’Italia - the national sports federation co-organising and coordinating the event - the Region of Sardinia, and its Tourism Department plus the Ministry of Defense and the Italian Army to deliver what promises to be a thrilling weekend of racing as the pioneering series gets set for more action-packed wheel-to-wheel racing.
