Extreme E season 3 has several new features, including the return of a great: Mattias Ekström, who competed in the first season of the 100% electric category of SUVs with sustainable purpose, in addition to being the brand new champion of the inaugural campaign of Pure ETCR (now FIA ETCR).
After a short period of absence, the Swedish driver arrives with more knowledge, showing a great competitive pace aboard the ACCIONA-Sainz XE Team ODYSSEY 21 and ready to fight for the championship alongside his teammate Laia Sanz. In that sense and as part of his return, he commented on how the talks to return came about, as well as revealing what surprises him about Extreme E after returning to racing.
When the Swede was asked about something that catches his attention or impresses him on his return to the most demanding circuits of the category, he answered first: “The girls and how fast they drive. They’ve really picked up the pace and I see that trend continuing as the series progresses,” he emphasized.
Related content:Veloce Racing and ACCIONA | Sainz XE Team share honors as Extreme E kicks off on Saudi soil
Return of a Great One
After expressing surprise at the impact the women behind the wheel of the ODYSSEY 21 are making, Mattias Ekström emphasized the vehicle and the racing format used for the races. “Secondly, I would say the cars have also improved quite a bit and Extreme E has grown in the technical department since the series was launched.”
He then made way to comment on the competition. “Thirdly, I think the new format is much more exciting. I prefer the new set-up with five cars, because it will have the heartbeat up and continue to entertain people.,” he emphasized. Finally, he also revealed how the conversation with the team to return to the category came about.
“The week after Carlos (Sainz) had his incident (at the 2023 Dakar Rally where he injured his back) and got hurt is when he asked me if I would be interested, and we started chatting about it. It took a couple of weeks and then we agreed and finally I arrived in Saudi Arabia very happy to go racing again!”, he said.
Now, after a victory in the second race of the Desert X Prix, Mattias Ekström is preparing with Laia Sanz to return to be candidates for victory in Scotland, a completely new terrain for the riders of the series, which will host the third and fourth race of the season during the month of May.
Written by | Ronald Ortega
