15 replies to this topic

[Alan Lewis]

Off we go then, the fourth and final year of Extreme E, before the hydrogen powered Extreme H takes over for 2025.

As usual, we are in Saudi Arabia for the fourth Desert X Prix (which may not be the last - no reason Extreme H can't carry on the race title, we just don't know at this time whether it will or not), and after an inaugural run at Al'Ula and two years in Neom, we are in the locality of Jeddah for this year's event.

The series website (https://www.extreme-e.com/) has all the gen, but this is the track they'll be using for this weekend's double header:

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The calendar has an environmentally friendly five double header rounds, spread across the year, with Jeddah followed on 13th/14th July by an as yet unconfirmed meeting somewhere in Europe. Then comes the usual island X Prix double header in Sardinia on 14th/15th and 21st/22nd September, with the final round on 23rd/24th November moving from Chile to a new Valley X Prix in Phoenix, home of the famed oval circuit and the ostrich festival that drew bigger crowds than the United States Grand Prix back in the day...

The impending switch of motive power source has scared off Abt Cupra, Chip Ganassi Racing and Lewis Hamilton's X44 team (the 2022 Champions), as well as Carl Cox Racing, though the latter have said they intend to come back for the first Extreme H season next year. Filling the gaps are two new squads: Legacy Motor Club, helmed by NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson; and Sun Minimeal XE Team, run by double DTM Champion Timo Scheider, who will also drive the car. Johnson has suggested he will race his team's machine at some point this year, but for the opening round the line up is:



Free Practice kicked the season off today and Acciona Sainz set the pace from double and defending Champions Rosberg X Racing and Andretti Alkawlilat:

https://www.extreme-...4-gets-underway

For those in the UK, ITV4 are covering both days live at 12:00, whilst the EBU has announced a tie-up that will provide coverage through its digital Eurovision Sport platform:

https://www.extreme-...urovision-Sport

Edited by Alan Lewis, 16 February 2024 - 21:06.

[Muppetmad]

It's a shame to lose such important teams. I wonder what it was about the switch to hydrogen that put them off continuing.

[Ben1445]

I suppose there are a few potential explanations. One is indeed that they don’t fancy the hydrogen aspect in some way, others could be that they’re not wholly satisfied with the series generally or their teams performance in it and the hydrogen switch offers a good exit point.

X44 was run by Prodrive and then Carlin, which has now been bought and renamed by Rodin, so not sure if that’s influenced anything.

Delivering the first hydrogen series would be a significant milestone to hit and claim as their own, though. I can see the logic from both a series and portfolio (FE/XE/E1) perspective.

Edited by Ben1445, 17 February 2024 - 08:53.

[thegamer23]

[Muppetmad]

"That was fun – couldn't see nothing!", says Travis Pastrana. I fear the lack of visibility will limit the scope for much racing here.

[Muppetmad]

That was fun! Ahlin-Kottulinsky and Gutiérrez made that a real race 

[Muppetmad]

The switch to hydrogen will surely open the door to a lot of flexibility when it comes to the structure of the events. I hope the ambition will be there to exploit this.

[Alan Lewis]

Catching up with posts after a hectic social whirl yesterday.

Regarding the team turnover in the close season, the current print edition of Autosport (yes, I'm the one who still buys it) has a story on the X44 pullout where they specifically state that the team did not give a reason when they released the news. The article also mentioned Ganassi and Abt but without mentioning reasons there either. As mentioned, Carl Cox Racing have said they're planning on just having this year out and coming back for Extreme H next season.

There may be various reasons - my "scared off" comment was a little naughty- and Ben pointing out the Carlin/Rodin management change as a possible driver for X44 is entirely plausible.

[Muppetmad]

Without wishing to be unkind, Akeel has looked out of her depth all weekend. Leadbetter, by contrast, has been very impressive indeed.

 

Edit: Ekstrom gets Leadbetter at the last corner in the redemption race! Leadbetter is gutted, but she drove brilliantly there, and almost had that. Such a great debut.

 

Edit 2: Not the most exciting grand final, but it's nice to see Sanz bring it home 

Edited by Muppetmad, 18 February 2024 - 13:45.

[Ben1445]

Another point to consider with hydrogen is the sheer level of additional complexity it will add. You’re going from a battery electric vehicle and simply controlling power to and from that battery to a system which has that plus a fuel cell and hydrogen tank system.

You need knowledgeable personnel to manage, maintain and generally get the best out of these systems, and there’s more parts to inspect and replace etc.

Could be that some teams think this potential step up in cost and effort is beyond their immediate means or desire.

[Ben1445]

The switch to hydrogen will surely open the door to a lot of flexibility when it comes to the structure of the events. I hope the ambition will be there to exploit this.

Think this interview with Ali Russel indicated that - at least initially - the format would essentially be identical but using the new hydrogen car.

https://www.autospor...eme-h/10564905/

Which sounds like a reasonable initial target, but would be interesting to understand the opportunities and limitations that a hydrogen switch can offer

Edited by Ben1445, 18 February 2024 - 14:36.

[Alan Lewis]

The venue for next month's second round has now been revealed; a return to the former Glenmuckloch coal mine in Scotland:

https://www.extreme-...-X-Prix-in-July

If I recall last year's event correctly, there were issues with the narrow funnel layout at the start, which they will hopefully be addressing, and some visibility issues in the damp. Although with mud that's full of coal dust you probably just have to accept it's going to be clarty (Geordie word).

Edited by Alan Lewis, 08 June 2024 - 09:46.

[Alan Lewis]

Apologies for being a bit late flagging this up - pub crawl round Gosforth yesterday.

This weekend sees the British round of Extreme E with a return to Glenmuckloch in Dumfries and Galloway - and if the weather is anything like it is here in Northumberland 100 miles to the east, it'll be a soggy one.

ITV3 is showing both days from 15:00 to 17:00 for UK viewers (not the usual ITV4, note, because that channel is all about the Tour de France at this time of year).

A new circuit is being used this time:

https://www.extreme-...or-this-weekend's-Hydro-X-Prix

Veloce were fastest in yesterday's practice, from SUN Minimeal and Andretti:

https://www.extreme-...x-Free-Practice

...and Andretti and Veloce claimed qualifying honours, though SUN Minimeal won Q1 Heat 1 only to be demoted for contact:

https://www.extreme-...Prix-qualifying

As an aside, yesterday also saw the first public test on a Championship course of the new Extreme H hydrogen-powered racer which replaces Extreme E from next year:

https://www.extreme-...ime-in-Scotland

[thegamer23]

Thanks for the reminder, looking forward to it!

[Muppetmad]

https://insideevs.fr...nnat-sardaigne/

 

In French, but in summary, the final rounds in Sardinia and Phoenix have been cancelled so that the series has the resources necessary to transition to Extreme H. They're looking for alternative venues to conclude the season.

 

Extreme E deserves a better send off than this. That first season, when the series seemed to have so much promise and potential, feels so long ago now.

[Alan Lewis]

Yes, that's disappointing. Hope they do organise a proper finale - I expect rescheduling the Sardinia double-header would be the best we could hope for.

The website certainly looks to have been redirected towards Extreme H; lots of car launch and new season news, nothing on the Sardinia and Phoenix cancellations.

Alejandro has a new toy and the old one lies in the corner of the bedroom, gathering dust...