Sardinia's most memorable moments
Since Extreme E began racing in Sardinia, co-organised and coordinated by the Automobile Club d'Italia and Regione Sardegna, it is Nico Rosberg’s Rosberg X Racing (RXR) outfit which has made the course on the Italian island its stomping ground – taking four victories out of a possible five.
The team’s first Sardinian success came in their championship-winning 2021 campaign, as challenging weather conditions saw the RXR pairing of Molly Taylor and Johan Kristoffersson keep out of trouble to take the win and extend the team’s advantage at the head of the Season 1 championship standings.
It was heartbreak, though, for both SEGI TV Chip Ganassi Racing and X44 in the Final. With Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez at the wheel, X44 had recovered to appear in the final race of the weekend following a semi-final crash, but the team’s victories hopes were denied following a technical issue problem whilst fighting for the win and had to retire.
This left SEGI TV Chip Ganassi Racing in the lead as the American outfit attempted to claim their maiden series win. However, damage to their ODYSSEY 21 after the driver change meant they also had to withdraw with a lap to go, handing RXR the win ahead of ABT CUPRA XE and JBXE.
In 2022, Sardinia held the first ever double-header event with back-to-back X Prix in the searing summer heat. After the team’s cruel luck the previous season, No.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing were not to be denied second time around and picked up their maiden championship win with Sara Price and Kyle LeDuc behind the wheel.
The American outfit were the main beneficiaries following a collision between RXR’s Kristoffersson and ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team’s (ASXE) Carlos Sainz Snr., which resulted in a red flag. After the race was restarted RXR crossed the line first in the NEOM Island Prix I Final, but a 30-second penalty was handed to the team following the incident, before they were latterly handed a further reprimand dropping them to fifth.
This ensured No.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing took the win, while XITE ENERGY RACING claimed their best ever result in second, with home driver Tamara Molinaro on the podium alongside Timo Scheider, and JBXE taking third – including a first podium for Hedda Hosås on her debut for Jenson Button’s outfit.
After missing out on victory in the first part of the Sardinian double-header, RXR were not to be denied in part two.
A late overtake by Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky on ABT CUPRA XE’s Jutta Kleinschmidt sealed their second win of Extreme E Season 2. X44 finished second and Genesys Andretti United Extreme E third after ABT CUPRA XE were disqualified following a safety infringement.
RXR have continued their strong Sardinian form into Season 3.
After flying under the radar in 2023 in the opening events, Nico Rosberg’s outfit took two commanding wins in Rounds 5 and 6 at the Island X Prix in July to surge back into title contention.
Following them home on both occasions were current championship leaders ASXE, demonstrating their consistency in Season 3 with back-to-back second place finishes.
No.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing actually crossed the line first in the Round 5 Grand Final, but a subsequent penalty applied after the race dropped them to third.
The American outfit very nearly claimed two third-place finishes from the event, but were passed at the final corner of the Round 6 Grand Final by a determined Catie Munnings for Andretti Altawkilat, who took the team's second podium of 2023.
As the championship heads to the Mediterranean once again for Rounds 7 and 8, with the top three teams separated by just 14 points, it is all set for another classic in Sardinia.
