Highs and lows on McLaren's Extreme E debut
As racing in Extreme E got underway in NEOM, Saudi Arabia, last weekend, the Championship welcomed motorsport heavyweights McLaren to its star-studded line-up.
Led by drivers Tanner Foust and Emma Gilmour, McLaren XE delivered excitement on track as they won the Crazy Race to secure a place in the Final first-time out.
A brilliantly executed double overtake from Gilmour saw the team climb to second, before Foust chased down leaders JBXE and soon passed 2021 Champion Molly Taylor on the inside to take the final spot in the Desert X Prix Final.
A nasty accident for Foust in the Final denied them a shot at victory in their first ever X Prix, but there were positive signs that McLaren XE will be amongst the leading contenders in Season 2.
Tanner Foust, McLaren XE, said: “What a weekend of racing! Completely crazy! It was incredible getting through to the Final on a wild card especially when we had a technical problem in Qualifying on Saturday.
“However, for the Final, the dust was the biggest challenge. I was committed through a particularly thick cloud not realising a car in front had some problems and had slowed down. The impact caused a huge roll, and we were out of the race.”
Emma Gilmour, McLaren XE, said: “We knew it was going to be a tough first event especially when we are all still learning, but to bring home the bacon for the Crazy Race dispelled the frustrations left from Saturday during qualifying.
“What happened to Tanner in the Final is one of the many challenges and risks which we knew we had to navigate and which an accident reminds you of – complete visual oblivion from sand and dust. However, this was also our first event as a team, and we have gained a lot from being at track together which will bring us back stronger.
“Tanner has been an awesome support and I couldn’t wish for a better teammate, plus the experience of being in Saudi Arabia and racing in such spectacular terrain has been incredible.”
