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INSIGHT EXTREME E WHY EXTREME E’S EQUALITY STANCE IS NECESSARY The rules of the new electric SUV off-road series require teams to field one male and one female driver. Here’s why the move is more important than it may seem JAMES NEWBOLD D uring the online launch for the new all-electric SUV off-road Extreme E series, which mandates a fifty-fifty split between male and female participants, Chip Ganassi Racing’s long-serving general manager Mike Hull was asked a pertinent question. What was the response to his team hiring a female driver, Sara Price, for the first time in its storied 30-year history? “Sara has proven that she can win and that has nothing to do with gender,” Hull replied. “She knows how to win and she’ll represent Extreme E and the global significance of what we’re trying to do as a winning race driver, who happens to be female.” The brainchild of Alejandro Agag, XE is the latest avenue to offer female drivers a platform to showcase their skills. Unlike W Series, however, they will be pitched head-to-head against their male counterparts, and in equal equipment. While high-profile drivers such as Sebastien Loeb (X44), Carlos Sainz Sr (Acciona) and Mattias Ekstrom (Abt) have tended to hog the 38 AUTOSPORT.COM 7 JANUARY 2021
page 39
EXTREME E INSIGHT THE WOMEN LEADING THE XE DRIVER CONTINGENT BULL RED CLAUDIA HURTGEN Abt Cupra The German GT racing regular counts a 1997 Daytona 24 Hours class win and a 1998 Le Mans GT2 podium on her decorated CV. LAIA SANZ Acciona Sainz XE Dakar bike ace, who has made fleeting SEAT Eurocup, 24H Series and RX Lites cameos, partners WRC legend Carlos Sainz Sr. CATIE MUNNINGS Andretti United Red Bull-backed Munnings has been a regular on the European Rally scene and then stepped up to the Junior World Rally stage for the Swedish event last season. SARA PRICE Chip Ganassi Racing A 17-time national motocross champion, Price is the first female driver to be signed by the Ganassi team in its 30-year history. CHRISTINE GIAMPAOLI ZONCA Hispano-Suiza A one-time WRC entrant and a top-10 finisher in the Baja 1000, the Italian-Canarian drives for the new squad that replaces HWA. MOLLY TAYLOR Rosberg Xtreme Racing The youngest-ever champion of her native Australian Rally Championship, Taylor has also won a brace of British class titles. JAMIE CHADWICK Veloce Racing The 2019 W Series champion is taking a big leap into off-road racing having only competed on sealed surfaces to date. Her team-mate is TBC. CRISTINA GUTIERREZ Team X44 Five-time Dakar starter has been picked by Lewis Hamilton’s team to partner nine-time WRC champion Sebastien Loeb. Note: Techeetah’s drivers are yet to be confirmed. E: EXTREME ICS PALL 7 JANUARY 2021 AUTOSPORT.COM 39

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EXTREME E INSIGHT

THE WOMEN LEADING THE XE DRIVER CONTINGENT

BULL

RED

CLAUDIA HURTGEN Abt Cupra The German GT racing regular counts a 1997 Daytona 24 Hours class win and a 1998 Le Mans GT2 podium on her decorated CV.

LAIA SANZ Acciona Sainz XE Dakar bike ace, who has made fleeting SEAT Eurocup, 24H Series and RX Lites cameos, partners WRC legend Carlos Sainz Sr.

CATIE MUNNINGS Andretti United Red Bull-backed Munnings has been a regular on the European Rally scene and then stepped up to the Junior World Rally stage for the Swedish event last season.

SARA PRICE Chip Ganassi Racing A 17-time national motocross champion, Price is the first female driver to be signed by the Ganassi team in its 30-year history.

CHRISTINE GIAMPAOLI ZONCA Hispano-Suiza A one-time WRC entrant and a top-10 finisher in the Baja 1000, the Italian-Canarian drives for the new squad that replaces HWA.

MOLLY TAYLOR Rosberg Xtreme Racing The youngest-ever champion of her native Australian Rally Championship, Taylor has also won a brace of British class titles.

JAMIE CHADWICK Veloce Racing The 2019 W Series champion is taking a big leap into off-road racing having only competed on sealed surfaces to date. Her team-mate is TBC.

CRISTINA GUTIERREZ Team X44 Five-time Dakar starter has been picked by Lewis Hamilton’s team to partner nine-time WRC champion Sebastien Loeb.

Note: Techeetah’s drivers are yet to be confirmed.

E: EXTREME

ICS

PALL

7 JANUARY 2021 AUTOSPORT.COM 39

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