"Super proud of our weekend" - Molinaro reflects on Extreme E debut
Tamara Molinaro was thrown in at the deep end of the opening round of Extreme E Season 2.
The Italian, who is one of Extreme E’s Championship Drivers, was a last-minute call-up to the XITE Energy Racing outfit after Klara Andersson tested positive for Covid-19 and was unable to travel to NEOM, Saudi Arabia, and compete in the Desert X Prix.
Despite the difficult circumstances, it was a scenario that the 24-year-old was prepared for.
“It was mixed feelings to be honest,” said Tamara.
“One part of me wanted to jump around the room and the other felt really sad for Klara. I have been waiting for a chance in Extreme E for so long and when you know you have one shot to prove yourself and show everyone what you can do it’s not so simple to manage the pressure on your shoulders. However, I think at the same time the hunger that builds inside your belly while watching everyone else doing what you love, and takes everything away and transforms stress into motivation.
“I went as soon as I could to meet the team and start to work together to be sure we were in the best place to have a perfect weekend. I managed to build a really good relationship between me, Oliver [Bennett] and all the hard working guys in the team."
Despite the late call-up, Molinaro and XITE Energy Racing team-mate Oliver Bennett were competitive throughout the Season 2 opener. A solid Free Practice session was followed up by finishing fifth in Qualifying 1.
Their second place in Heat 2 of Qualifying 2 saw the team secure fourth overall in Qualifying and a place in Semi-Final 1 on Finals day.
“We worked incredibly hard with the guys in the team on making the car better for our driving styles and also on how we could adapt that for the course,” added Tamara.
“I think we did a great job considering it was my first time driving in Extreme E in a competitive environment, especially with my lack of knowledge of the ODYSSEY 21 and the possible changes we can make.”
In Semi-Final 1, Molinaro and Bennett took on the might of RXR and X44 for a place in the Final. It was a challenge neither Molinaro or Bennett shirked, rubbing wheels with Johan Kristoffersson and Sebastien Loeb, respectively, before just missing out on a maiden Final appearance despite finishing second on track, due to a penalty Bennett incurred earlier on his run.
Nonetheless, it was the most competitive showing from XITE Energy Racing thus far in Extreme E and Molinaro was pleased to have played a crucial role.
Tamara concluded: “For sure, I was definitely making a challenge for the lead in Semi Final 1 and got alongside Johan [Kristoffersson].
“I forgot I still had Hyperdrive on, though, and I tried to turn really sharply in at the next waypoint to make a move on him, but I ended up in the wrong lane and had to back off. It’s really a pity we couldn’t bring XITE Energy Racing’s first Finals appearance in Saudi Arabia, but Oliver did an amazing job and I was super proud of our weekend anyway!
“Overall, though, the weekend was a boost of confidence for me. I know what I can do and I really needed to have a clean weekend to give something back to all the people that believe in me and are behind my back always.”
We look forward to seeing Tamara back behind the wheel of an ODYSSEY 21 in the near future.
