Sam Bird joins Extreme E Drivers’ Programme
11 March, London: Sam Bird is the latest top-tier driver to express his interest in Extreme E by joining the off-road electric SUV motor racing series’ Drivers’ Programme, with the roster of leading names looking to compete in Season 1 growing yet further.
The Brit currently plies his trade in Extreme E’s sister championship, ABB FIA Formula E, where he has been a race-winning fixture since its inaugural 2014-15 campaign. The Extreme E adventure caught Bird’s eye from the off, and with the launch of the series’ E-SUV – ODYSSEY 21 – back at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2019, followed by its subsequent Dakar Rally outing early this year.
Bird is well-versed in electric motorsport but he sees the ODYSSEY 21, and the challenge thrown up by the Extreme E calendar, taking in many locales yet to hold a motor racing event of any kind, as something else entirely.
“The ODYSSEY 21 looks like a bit of a monster,” said the 33-year-old. “I’m expecting top-level performance given the numbers, and having seen footage from Dakar earlier this year, it looks like that’s what we’ll get. I’ve spent a lot of time in Formula E, so I’m not new to EVs in motorsport but this E-SUV will be a different kettle of fish.
“It’s a unique car and a unique series, so naturally there’ll be a period of adaptation and a learning curve, especially as I’ve very much been a circuit racer through my career to-date. It’ll be exciting to get to grips with and I’m a fast learner!”
The championship is set to break the mould in motorsport and entertainment with its E-SUVs racing across five of the world’s most remote and formidable environments that have already been affected by climate change or human influences. The aim: raising awareness, driving sustainability and inspiring action. This goal – from a series born out of the climate crisis – is a major factor in Bird’s interest.
“There’s nothing quite like Extreme E out there at the moment,” Bird added. “The opportunity to be a part of a pioneering new championship is an exciting prospect and is the series’ major attraction for me. Its relevancy in terms of raising awareness of the issues the planet faces and driving solutions to those problems is also incredibly important.
“Climate change is the largest threat we face and if we don’t act now, the Earth will be a very different place for our kids and grandchildren. As it stands, future generations may not have the chance to see and experience the world as we have, which is a difficult sentiment to come to terms with – and that’s something we can help change with positive action.”
The Drivers’ Programme is designed to promote professional drivers and assist teams and prospective entries, Series organisers will recommend prospective competitors from its Drivers’ Programme, however, if teams prefer, they will have the autonomy to select their own drivers from outside the pool.
Bird joins a number of Formula E stars past and present on the programme’s roster, with Nelson Pique Jr., Lucas di Grassi, Andre Lotterer, Bruno Senna, Daniel Abt, Antonio Felix Da Costa and Jérôme d’Ambrosio in the fold alongside the likes of title-winners such as Sebastien Ogier, Jamie Chadwick and Timmy Hansen.
Further sporting and partnership announcements will be made in the coming weeks and months ahead of Season 1’s launch in Dakar, January 2021.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.
Provisional Extreme E Season 1 (2021) calendar:
23-24 January: Lac Rose, Dakar, Senegal
5-6 March: Al-‘Ula, Saudi Arabia
14-15 May: Kali Gandaki Valley, Mustang District, Nepal
28-29 August: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
30-31 October: Santarém, Pará, Brazil
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.
In addition to live race action, Extreme E has joined forces with Academy Award winning filmmaker Fisher Stevens, producer of The Cove and Before The Flood, who will direct a Netflix style documentary series to highlight the specific climate threats facing each ecosystem.
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.
The championship made the Official Shortlist for the Sport Industry Awards 2020 in the Cutting Edge Sport Category, acknowledging the championship’s incredible progress in its first year.
About Continental:
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:
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:
Established in 1929, LuisaViaRoma has been an online luxury destination since 1999. In 2019, LuisaViaRoma celebrated the company’s 90th anniversary, as well as the 20th anniversary of its online business.
Sources: Extreme E PR