Andretti Autosport and United Autosports partner for Extreme E effort
Team to be named Andretti United Extreme E
23 July, London: Extreme E is delighted to confirm that Andretti Autosport has joined forces with United Autosports and updated its team name to Andretti United Extreme E.
The U.S.-based outfit, which confirmed its involvement in Extreme E in April, will take on a new look as it partners with England’s United Autosports for the inaugural season of the electric off-road SUV racing series, Extreme E. The combined Extreme E effort will take on the team name of Andretti United Extreme E and be represented by a badge featuring combined heritage elements.
With Andretti’s familiarity in Formula E, and with two teams already working in tandem as partners via Walkinshaw Andretti United, the pairing of the two teams will be seamless as the new racing championship unfolds. The new outfit will be staffed by experienced team members from both organisations.
Led by Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport holds nearly two decades of accolades across 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 first season, with multiple racing victories and now competing under the BMW i Andretti Motorsport banner.
United Autosports is one of the largest motorsport teams in the UK and competes globally in different sports prototype categories across the world. Based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK, the company is co-owned by McLaren CEO Zak Brown and former racing driver Richard Dean. The team has raced in a number of different championships, with a vast range of cars and drivers including Fernando Alonso, Juan Pablo Montoya, Lando Norris and Paul Di Resta.
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, said: “I’m really pleased to see Zak Brown and Richard Dean’s United Autosports team joining Michael Andretti in the Extreme E line-up in this powerhouse collaboration of motorsport talent and experience.
“Both teams have enjoyed huge success and bring incredible experiences to the table, but Extreme E offers a totally new challenge and will be their first joint electric racing collaboration. I’m sure I am not the only one who can’t wait to see what Andretti United Extreme E can achieve together, bring on 2021!”
Michael Andretti, Chairman and CEO, Andretti Autosport said: “I’m really excited to once again partner with Zak, Richard and the United Autosports family. We’ve had the opportunity to work together on various programs over the last few years, and this new adventure in Extreme E may be one of the most exciting opportunities to again come together. Both organisations have strong experience in diverse areas of motorsport and I’m confident our combined effort will be a contender from the start.”
Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports said: “We have been looking at getting into electric racing for a while now and this new off-road championship looks fantastic, so I’m pleased we can work with Andretti to make it happen. They already have the contacts due to their Formula E entry, but we are working closely together to get up to speed as quickly as possible. The creation of the new company gives both teams an equal partnership moving forward in the Extreme E series. We are very much looking forward to starting this new journey for the team.”
Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports added: “I’m really pleased we can announce our partnership with Andretti Autosport on the Extreme E project. We have worked with the team at Andretti for a while now and it’s great to have a hugely exciting and innovative race series added to the United programme.”
The new Andretti United Extreme E team is preparing for receipt of its ODYSSEY 21 E-SUV with sights set on the first round of testing anticipated for December. Further announcements are to be made regarding team partners and male/female driver-duo in the coming months.
About Extreme E:
Extreme E is a radical new racing series, which will see electric SUVs competing in extreme environments around the world which have already been damaged or affected by climate and environmental issues. The five-race global voyage highlights the impact of climate change and human interference in some of the world’s most remote locations and promotes the adoption of electric vehicles to help preserve the environment and protect the planet.
Another unique feature of Extreme E is its floating garage, the RMS St. Helena. The former Royal Mail cargo-passenger vessel is undergoing a modernisation and refit in order to lower its emissions. It will be used to transport the championship’s freight and infrastructure, including vehicles, to the nearest port, minimising Extreme E’s footprint as well as being used to facilitate scientific research through an on-board laboratory.
Extreme E is operated in association with Formula E – the organiser of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. Extreme E is committed to sustainability and minimising environmental impact – as well as playing its part in re-building and restoring areas already impacted by climate change.
About Andretti Autosport
Andretti Autosport, led by racing legend Michael Andretti, boasts a wide racing portfolio rooted in tradition and designed for success.
Under the banners of Andretti Autosport and BMWi Andretti Motorsport, the Indianapolis-based team fields multiple entries across the IndyCar Series, Indy Lights, the FIA Formula E Championship and the GT4 America Series. The team also competes as Walkinshaw Andretti United in the Australian Supercars category through partnership with Walkinshaw Racing and United Autosports.
The global racing enterprise boasts four Indy Car Series championships, four Indy Light titles, one Indy Pro 2000 championship and has captured victory five times at the famed Indianapolis 500 race. The team also holds two X Games Gold Medals and five U.S. rallycross championships.
To share in the Andretti story, please visit online at AndrettiAutosport.com and follow on social media with #AllAndretti.
About United Autosports
United Autosports is one of the fastest growing motorsport teams in Europe and competes globally in numerous sports-prototype categories worldwide. Based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK, the team is co-owned by McLaren CEO Zak Brown and former racing driver Richard Dean. United has competed in multiple championships, with a vast range of world renowned drivers including former double World F1 Champion Fernando Alonso, ex-CART Champion and Indy 500 race winner Juan Pablo Montoya, 2019 F1 driver Lando Norris and former DTM Champion Paul Di Resta.The team was formed in 2010 and initially contested a prestigious GT championship in Europe. After being a front-running British GT Championship team for four years, they have since branched out into racing sports prototypes globally. They are multiple race and championship winners having won the 2016 and 2017 European Le Mans Series LMP3 Championships as well as the 2018/2019 Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 Championship. Their success extends to finishing on the Le Mans 24 Hours podium in 2018 in only their second attempt at the French endurance classic. Aside from their modern racing activities, United Autosports also restore and maintain a vast range of rare historic Formula One and sports cars, entering races in the UK, Europe and across the world.
About Andretti United Extreme E
Andretti United Extreme E brings together two powerhouses in the world of motorsport, U.S-based Andretti Autosport and England’s United Autosports. Between them they boast some of the biggest names in racing including McLaren CEO Zak Brown and former racing driver Richard Dean on the United side, and racing legend Michael Andretti himself. With a great history which includes IndyCar, Formula E, GT 4 America, British GT, the European and Asian Le Mans series and the Le Mans 24 hr race, this team knows racing.
The two outfits will be bringing together their knowledge of motorsport and electric racing to compete in Extreme E.
About Continental Tyres: Founding Partner and Official Tyre Partner
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and networked mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transport. In 2018, Continental generated preliminary sales of approximately €44.4 billion and currently employs some 244,000 people in 60 countries and markets.
The Tyre division has 24 production and development locations worldwide. As one of the leading tyre manufacturers with around 54,000 employees, the division posted sales of €11.3 billion in 2017. Continental ranks among the technology leaders in tyre production and offers a broad product range for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers. Through continuous investment in R&D, Continental makes a major contribution to safe, cost-effective and ecologically efficient mobility. The Tyre division’s portfolio includes services for the tyre trade and for fleet applications, as well as digital management systems for commercial vehicle tyres.
About CBMM: Founding Supplier
CBMM is the world leading supplier of niobium products and technology. Headquartered in Brazil, with offices and subsidiaries in China, Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States, CBMM offers technical innovation to customers around the globe through a team of over 2,000 highly trained, dedicated professionals providing cutting-edge niobium products and technology to over 300 customers in 50 countries.
About LuisaViaRoma:
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