Remembering the best Extreme E moments in Saudi Arabia
Over the past three seasons in the heat of the dunes, Saudi Arabia has produced some gripping wheel-to-wheel action.
In 2021 the inaugural season of Extreme E was launched in AlUla, marking the stage for a revolutionary form of motorsport.
Teams were faced with a formidable desert terrain, forcing them to navigate through rocky canyons and undulating dunes. The awe-inspiring landscapes became a character in themselves, creating a unique and visually stunning backdrop for the races.
After an epic inaugural encounter, Rosberg X Racing’s (RXR) Johan Kristoffersson and Molly Taylor produced a compelling performance in the Final to snatch victory away from Lewis Hamilton’s X44, who had led from the front all weekend having topped the timesheets in Qualifying.
The victory etched RXR’s name into the Extreme E history books, becoming the first to triumph in the series to the delight of team boss Nico Rosberg.
Victory in Saudi Arabia at the opening event actually proved to be a pivotal championship moment, as RXR and X44 would tie on points at the end of the campaign, but RXR secured the title on count back of wins claimed.
The team's triumph not only marked the beginning of a highly competitive new era, but also highlighted the potential of electric vehicles in extreme conditions.
AlUla served as a testament to the series' commitment to pushing the boundaries of both racing and environmental consciousness whilst creating a unique racing display.
In Season 2 Extreme E ventured to the jaw-dropping location of NEOM. Matching their feat from the previous Season, RXR claimed a dramatic last-lap victory by passing the ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team (ASXE) late on to take the honours.
X44 showed their mettle as contenders once more as the fastest qualifiers in the dunes, but Nico Rosberg’s outfit came from behind to snatch the win overall – with the top three separated by just six seconds.
The championship returned to NEOM for its opening X Prix once more in 2023, against the phenomenal backdrop of the Red Sea. The new location took teams to the shores for a mix of coastal and inland racing with a new racing format in tow, meaning double the amount of racing action, as well as wins and points on offer.
This change would also shuffle the pack and, in what was anticipated to be the closest Extreme E field yet, provide opportunities for debut winners in the series.
Round 1 of 2023 was won by Veloce Racing. The duo of Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor claimed the team’s maiden victory in NEOM, after on-track winners RXR were demoted to third following a time-penalty – denying the Season 1 champions a third Saudi Arabian victory in a row.
The cars returned to the course for Round 2 the following day, where this time around ASXE set the pace. Led by Carlos Sainz Snr., drivers Mattias Ekström and Laia Sanz took a superb debut win in Extreme E for the Spanish outfit as they showcased their credentials for a championship challenge.
The deserts of Saudi Arabia have opened each of Extreme E’s three previous campaigns, and another spectacular is expected in Jeddah when the championship arrives on 17-18 February.
It will be the first time Jeddah has been the setting for the start of an Extreme E season, where yet more thrilling wheel-to-wheel action is set to unfold on the most challenging off-road terrains.
With just under a month to go until Rounds 1 and 2 of Extreme in 2024, the race for the planet is on again.
