Extreme E to Require Male, Female Drivers in Each Lineup

Photo: Shivraj Gohil

Extreme E will require lineups comprised each of a male and female driver, in what’s being aimed to promote gender equality.

Announced on Thursday, the electric off-road series is believed to be the first championship to introduce such a regulation in a motorsports.

Teams will be composed of a male and a female driver, competing together in a two-lap race as driver and co-driver, with each completing one lap behind the wheel of the Odyssey 21 e-SUV that will include a “changeover” incorporated into the race format.

“We are ensuring with our sporting format that drivers of all backgrounds will be able to compete with the same tools at their disposal at every event on the calendar,” said founder and CEO Alejandro Agag.

“We are striving for equality, and this sporting format is the truest reflection of that goal.

“Everybody will race together and the most effective combination of drivers, team, engineer and car will rise to the top.”

Three female drivers, including IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship regular Katherine Legge and inaugural W Series champion Jamie Chadwick, are already in
the Extreme E drivers’ program along with Swedish TCR ace Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky (pictured above, center).

Legge said the format is a “giant step in the right direction” for motorsports.

“I have been looking forward to something like this my entire racing career,” she said.

“Formula E and now Extreme E, are at forefront of breaking boundaries in technology, sustainability, and climate change, and now Extreme E will challenge perceptions with gender equality too.”

Michele Mouton, president of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission added: “Alejandro and his team continue to really support gender equality in our sport with concrete actions that help highlight the ability of female racers and give them a chance.

“It will be interesting to see the team lineups as they are announced and I look forward to following Season One when it starts early next year.”

The full race and championship format will be revealed in the coming weeks with further team, sporting and partnership announcements expected to follow as well leading up to the planned start of the inaugural season in January.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John