Extreme E has today announced Andretti Autosport as the first American, and sixth overall, team to join the electric SUV off-road racing series.
Led by Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport has gathered accolades across almost two decades of competition in various disciplines of motorsport, including five Indianapolis 500 victories and four IndyCar Series championships.
The team has also been active as a competitor in the ABB Formula E Championship since the inaugural season, with multiple race victories and now campaigns under the BMW i Andretti Motorsport banner.
Extreme E teams are planned to each take delivery of their Odyssey 21 E-SUVs in late October of this year, with a group test of the vehicles to take place shortly thereafter.
Series founder and CEO Alejandro Agag said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Andretti Autosport, a true powerhouse in racing, as the latest team to join Extreme E.
“Andretti Autosport has achieved across multiple disciplines at the highest level of our sport over many years.
“The team has a real passion for motorsport, both as a driver of change and in promoting sustainable practices and technologies, making its decision to join Extreme E at this early stage, a natural one.
“Andretti Autosport has been fine tuning its expertise in electric racing as a founding Formula E outfit, and off-road as multiple rallycross title-winners.
“These experiences will be invaluable in making the jump into Extreme E. That said, the series is a unique prospect all of its own.
“The sporting challenge will be intense and the scope for innovation is far-reaching, and I for one am eager to see how the Andretti Autosport team adapts to its new test.”
Andretti Autosport chairman and CEO Michael Andretti added: “We remain dedicated to expanding and diversifying our team effort, in both traditional motorsport and with new, revolutionary racing concepts.
“I think that Extreme E is an exciting opportunity for the team as we continue to grow globally.
“The current COVID-19 crisis is bringing attention to a changing world, and our traditional mindsets have to adapt with that.
“We feel that announcing now can help bring hope for the future of motorsport and a new focus to the sustainability message.
“I believe the entire motorsport industry is going to emerge from this time stronger than ever, and I look forward to seeing our team join Extreme E to do our part in leaving an impactful legacy in each race location.”