The throne dominance seems not to have changed much for the 2nd Season of Extreme E. The first racing day was led by the X44 of Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez, a team bordering on the title during the first season by tying on points with Rosberg Xtreme Racing, but the podiums difference did not allow them to be crowned.
But the start of “Season 2” in Neom, Saudi Arabia, has opened the doors for X44, at least on the first day of action. Second place in Qualifying 1 and first in Q2 Heat 1 (10pts), allowed them to be the top qualifier with 19 points.
Chip Ganassi Racing (8pts), ABT CUPRA XE (6pts), ACCIONA | Sainz XE Team (4pts) and Veloce Racing (2pts) completed the first of two races to define the semifinal starting order.
The Q2 Heat 2 of qualifying was led by Timmy Hansen and Catie Munnings’ Genesys Andretti United (10 pts), followed by Xite Energy Racing (8pts), JBXE (6pts), Rosberg Xtreme Racing (4pts) and McLaren Racing (2pts).
With these results, Semifinal 1, Semifinal 2 and Crazy Race, are defined for Sunday’s clashes.
Christine GZ is out for Veloce Racing
The team formed by Christine Giampaoli Zonca (GZ) and Lanza Woolridge, Veloce Racing, was unable to participate at the second qualifying round, after the Italian-Canarian driver overturned and although it did not happen, she suffered a fracture in her foot.
The reserve driver, Hedda Hosås, will take her place for tomorrow’s race on February 20.
McLaren Racing Debut
McLaren Racing’s debut in Extreme E has finally happened. The iconic Formula 1 team has carved out a niche for itself in the new off-road electric SUV competition with Tanner Foust and Emma Gilmour.
What were McLaren’s results in Extreme E? At the first instance, Qualifying 1, the Woking team achieved seventh place with 7 points.
Then, the Q2 Heat 2, was not the best scenario for the debutant squad, relegated to fifth place, getting only two units.
The #DesertXPrix will undoubtedly become the starting point for a team that, due to its history, promises to do great things in the “Electric Odyssey”.
Written by | Osward Rubio
