Defending Extreme E champion Molly Taylor splits with Rosberg team

Taylor and four-time World Rallycross champion teammate Johan Kristoffersson won three of the five events during an inaugural season to beat the X44 team owned by Lewis Hamilton after tying on points.

But Taylor, who won the 2016 Australian national rally series, has now parted company with Nico Rosberg's squad to be replaced by Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky.

Taylor, who moved to Europe from her home in Australia to minimise the impact of travel restrictions, was coy about reasons 'outside of her control' for not returning to a team that she likened to a family.

She posted on Instagram: "I'd like to thank the whole team (who became more like family) for an incredible inaugural season.

"Winning the first-ever Extreme E Championship and holding that trophy aloft was an incredible experience and I am very proud of the result we achieved together.

"There's no secret of the complex realities that exist within motorsport, often outside of a driver's control, and whilst it means an unexpected change of plans for 2022, rest assured, despite a small intermission my time with Extreme E isn't done yet."

Molly Taylor, Johan Kristoffersson, Rosberg X Racing

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

In the statement released by Rosberg X Racing that confirmed the addition of Ahlin-Kottulinsky alongside Kristoffersson, there was no reference to title winner Taylor.

Ahlin-Kottulinsky and her 2021 stablemate Kevin Hansen guided an inexperienced JBXE team, comprising mainly of British GT engineers, to third in the championship.

While owner Button is keen to continue in the series, the 2009 Formula 1 world champion previously told Autosport the need to push for commercial deals to ensure the ongoing participation of JBXE was financially