Up to five teams arrived in Antofagasta, Chile, all with a shot at claiming the championship in the 2023 Extreme E season. However, the glory fell into the hands of Rosberg X Racing, thanks to a bit of fortune, sheer determination, and tireless efforts throughout a lengthy campaign.
Following their triumph in the first race of the weekend, the competition among the five teams dwindled to just two, setting the stage for a title-deciding showdown between Nico Rosberg’s team and the ACCIONA Sainz XE Team.
As the stage was set for the grand finale on Sunday, December 3rd, RXR and Carlos Sainz’s squad secured their spots in the Final Race. Four laps would determine whether Rosberg X Racing would secure their second consecutive title or if ACCIONA Sainz XE Team would claim their first championship.
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A Dramatic Battle
In the initial two laps, all teams opted to start the race with male drivers. Johan Kristoffersson (RXR) sought to gain an early advantage but ended up pushing the ODYSSEY 21 too hard, momentarily lifting it onto two wheels and causing minor suspension damage.
Until that point, everything seemed to favor ACCIONA, who only needed to finish with the knowledge that RXR had landed in fifth, the last position. However, during the driver switch, just when it seemed the race was tilting in ACCIONA’s favor, Laia Sanz lost control of her vehicle, overturned while trying to regain composure, and was forced out of the race.
As if the challenge wasn’t daunting enough, Rosberg X Racing had to finish the race to clinch the championship. Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky then skillfully guided the ODDYSEY 21 to the finish line despite a broken front left suspension. In this fashion, RXR secured their second Extreme E title, as they had previously won the inaugural 2021 season.
