Veloce Racing double-header weekend to feature two-part W Series finale and Island X Prix
Austin to host title showdown in all-female single-seater series while Extreme E squad targeting second podium in Sardinia
Veloce Racing is primed for a historic weekend (22-24 October), with the team set to race across two different series in two different countries simultaneously.
The London-based squad will compete in Extreme E’s Island X Prix (Sardinia, Italy) and W Series’ double-header season finale (Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas) across three days of non-stop motorsport entertainment.
For the first time since its inception, and in only its first year of competition, Veloce Racing finds itself with an opportunity to fight for a championship this weekend, as the W Series season reaches a dramatic conclusion in America.
Veloce’s own Jamie Chadwick and season-long rival Alice Powell have been trading blows throughout the year, with the leader of the Driver’s Championship changing at almost every race this season.
As we enter the final race weekend of the campaign, the British pairing sit equal on points at the summit of the standings. The title battle couldn’t be closer and with sessions coming at the drivers thick and fast in Austin, there is a scintillating championship showdown in prospect.
Brazilian rookie Bruna Tomaselli, meanwhile, is aiming to complete her maiden W Series campaign on a high note, targeting points finishes and podiums at the Circuit of the Americas.
Action gets underway with practice and qualifying for Round 7 on Friday while qualifying for Round 8 and the first of the weekend’s races take place on Saturday. The all-important title decider will see the crowning of the 2021 W Series Champion on Sunday.
In Europe, the Extreme E squad will be hoping to bounce back following a captivating Semi-Final last time out which, despite a fearless lunge over the infamous ‘Rock Garden’, ultimately ended in heartbreak for Stéphane Sarrazin and the team.
Having ended the Arctic X Prix with a broken suspension and finishing just shy of a spot in the Final, Sarrazin’s all-or-nothing gamble will certainly be remembered as one of the moments of the inaugural Extreme E season.
New Zealander Emma Gilmour’s debut weekend with the team saw her showing excellent pace and gaining momentum throughout the event. Now, with an established relationship with Frenchman Sarrazin, the dynamic duo are sure to put in some eye-catching performances in Sardinia.
Extreme E’s Island X Prix marks the series’ first visit to Europe and the penultimate round of the first season. Qualifying 1 and 2 are scheduled for Saturday while the finals are set for Sunday.
Fans can watch all of the action unfold with both series’ enjoying live television coverage – for more information visit the Extreme E and W Series websites.
Jamie Chadwick, W Series Driver, Veloce Racing commented:
“It’s amazing to be coming to the season finale in with a shout of taking the title again. Alice [Powell] and I have had a great battle this year so I think we’re both hoping for a close, but fair showdown. I’m targeting that first title for Veloce, that would be really special for me and the team.”
Stéphane Sarrazin, Extreme E Driver, Veloce Racing added:
“In Greenland, we came so close to the Final so naturally we are all wanting to get back on the course. We had strong pace last time out so I think we can definitely capitalise on that and now Emma [Gilmour] and I have had more time working as a team, I think we can bag a good result in Sardinia.”
Bruna Tomaselli, W Series Driver, Veloce Racing said:
“I’m hungry to bounce back after a tough race in Zandvoort. The aim has to be to get more points and maybe even a podium to finish off my first season, the pace has been there this year so now it’s time to capitalise on it.”
Mariella Bailey, W Series Team Principal, Veloce Racing said:
“It’s so exciting for everyone at Veloce that we could win our first-ever championship this weekend. It’s anybody’s game with the top two tied on points, it could go either way, but I think we just need to keep calm and take each session as it comes.”
Daniel Bailey, CEO, Veloce Racing added:
“This is Veloce’s biggest weekend in our short history. It’s going to be a challenge for the drivers and the team but I know we’ll adapt to anything that is thrown our way and deliver as usual. We have an opportunity to take our first championship in W Series which is incredible considering we’ve only been racing for one season, meanwhile, in Extreme E we’ll of course be targeting another appearance in the Final!”
About Veloce
Veloce is a London-based organisation that focuses on disruptive areas of the sports and entertainment industries – specifically, esports, motorsport and sustainable, EV motorsport. The brand comprises established professional gaming organisation, Veloce Esports, Extreme E outfit, Veloce Racing and W Series team, Veloce Racing W Series, with all three falling under the overarching Veloce umbrella. As a whole, the business occupies the fastest-growing sectors in motorsport.
Veloce Racing was born from Extreme E’s vision of sustainability-focussed, content-rich and gender-equal sport. The team’s remarkable leadership line-up is spearheaded by legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey and Formula E Champion and ex-Formula 1 driver Jean-Éric Vergne. They are joined by a host of other industry entrepreneurs and innovators who are eagerly awaiting the start of the inaugural 2021 season. Extreme E is an innovative new motorsport championship that sees electric SUVs going head-to-head in areas of the world that have been damaged by climate change or environmental issues.
Veloce Esports is the world’s leading esports and racing growth platform focused on innovation within the gaming, sport, media and entertainment sectors; comprising high-profile drivers, influencers and teams from across the globe. Among them are the official Mercedes F1, McLaren Racing, Alfa Romeo, Sauber and YAS HEAT esports programmes as well as YouTube sensations Tiametmarduk, Aarava, Xpertgamingtech and Lando Norris’ Quadrant channel to name but a few. The organisation’s digital broadcast network, across its various channels, generates in excess of 230 million views per month.
To learn more, please visit: veloce.gg
Sources: George Wilson/MPA Creative