Extreme E got a new way to reach fans and speed lovers through Off Track, the official podcast of the category, which premiered its third episode with a special guest: Timo Scheider, who revealed the important role he plays on every X Prix, despite not directly competing on tracks.
Scheider is a born sprinter, karting champion, DTM champion twice and has been on podium of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Therefore, he has more than enough to be one of the two reserve drivers of Extreme E, available to any team in case any of them has problems with their starters.
He also plays a fundamental role in every race watched on television and enjoyed by fans, given the responsibility of designing the challenging circuits of the championship. All this and more, the driver talked with James Baldwin and Michael Lamonato on Off Track.
This driver grew up with innate racing DNA. His father raced the 86 Hours of Nürburgring, while one of his brothers competed in karting races, so the sound of engines, adrenaline and speed were always present inside him from a very young age, and later became a professional.
Related content: Extreme E Off Track: Arctic X Prix in Detail!
Timo Scheider and His Role in Extreme E
“I was always open to new things, I’m happy to be part of a totally new team. Having James Taylor was important, I wanted to be a starting driver but it didn’t work out. Then I was offered to be one of the two reserve drivers in the category and track advisor or circuit designer,” Scheider told Off Track.
“I didn’t have any experience in this sector, but I know what I like in terms of tracks. And I said OK, let’s give it a try, so take me to Saudi Arabia! There I met Alejandro (Agag) and the rest of the team. We started scouting the area and at a certain point I said ‘we can go this way, that way, this could be a good jump.”
Written by | Ronald Ortega