NEOM all set to host Extreme E Season 3 opener

JEDDAH: NEOM has concluded preparations to host the first race of Season 3 of the all-electric off-roading series Extreme E. For the third consecutive year, Saudi Arabia will serve as the host country for the international racing series, with the Desert X Prix taking place on March 11-12, featuring 10 international teams competing over the course of two days.

Extreme E races take place in destinations affected by climate change around the world, with the five races promoting the trend toward the use of electric vehicles and supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions and create a better future for the planet.

For the second consecutive year, the series will return to NEOM, where the drivers will race across desert landscapes, with male and female drivers from each team driving the Odyssey 21 electric car over the duration of the two days of competition.

Teams

The teams confirmed for the races are ABT Cupra XE, Acciona — Sainz XE Team, Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E, Carl Cox Motorsport, JBXE, NEOM McLaren Extreme E, NO.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi, Rosberg X Racing, Veloce Racing, and X44 Vida Carbon Racing

Race Format

Each X Prix will now be a doubleheader and play host to back-to-back rounds across the weekend. This means double the opportunity for wins, podiums and crucial points across the 10-race calendar over the course of the campaign, crucially without adding any additional carbon footprint, in line with the goal of the series to keep carbon emissions to a minimum.

If any teams are tied in the qualifying standings, their positioning will be determined by their time in the Continental Traction Challenge — the team with the quicker run through the allocated sector during qualifying will receive the higher