(Motorsports news) ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team topped the timesheets in Free Practice for the 2024 Desert X Prix, the curtain raiser for Extreme E Season 4 held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this weekend (17-18 February).
The pioneering racing series kicked off its fourth instalment earlier today, with Rounds 1 and 2 of the championship set to get underway tomorrow in the Saudi Arabian desert.
The ODYSSEY 21s were back in action for the first time in 2024, and it was ASXE who were quickest out of the blocks across the day’s two Free Practice sessions, with Rosberg X Racing and Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E in second and third, respectively.
The sessions almost marked the first time Americans Travis Pastrana and Gray Leadbetter got out on the course behind the wheel of the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB IN ASSOCIATION WITH JIMMIE JOHNSON ODYSSEY 21, while Saudi Arabia national Dania Akeel also drove in Extreme E for the first time ahead of making her full debut for Jenson Button’s JBXE at her home event.
Johan Kristoffersson, Rosberg X Racing, said: “The modifications to the course and the competitive format mean that every decision, every second, counts more than ever. Our victory last season has set a high bar, but together with Mikaela and the whole RXR team, I feel we’re ready for another great season.”
Timmy Hansen, Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E, said: “The first race of the season is coming up and it’s always a very exciting one with everybody starting again on equal terms with zero points. The team has been in Saudi earlier than usual before the race to prepare the car to make sure it’s in perfect condition to start the new season.
“We’re very excited to start afresh and we’re determined to get on the podium, especially with the event being a ‘home race’ for our friends at Altawkilat. Exciting times ahead for us in the fourth season of Extreme E and we’re hoping it will be a big one.”
Cristina Gutiérrez, NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team, said: “I’m really excited to go racing with the NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team. I can’t wait to start working with everyone and represent the team and the iconic papaya colour.
“The races in Saudi Arabia in previous seasons have been very different, and this year will be too with the new track in Jeddah. I hope we can get the season off to a good start with some points.”
Molly Taylor, E.ON Veloce Racing, said: “We’ve put the hard work in throughout the off-season as we prepare for the start of the Extreme E season, including a few days of desert-driving in Saudi Arabia ahead of the opening rounds in Jeddah this weekend.
“We have some great memories from the Desert X Prix last year, and we are confident that we can be leading from the front this weekend to start Season 4 with a win or two.”
The Extreme E Season 4 opener in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, gets underway this weekend (17-18 February). The racing action will be live across ITV and STV in the UK, while outside of the UK please visit here for broadcaster details.
Free Practice combined timings:
1. ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team: 10:53.933 (FP2)
2. Rosberg X Racing: 10:55.143 (FP2)
3. Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E: 10:55.543 (FP2)
4. NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team: 11:14.760 (FP2)
5. E.ON Veloce Racing: 11:22.018 (FP2)
6. SUN Minimeal Team: 11:26.562 (FP2)
7. LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ IN ASSOCIATION WITH JIMMIE JOHNSON: 11:41.275 (FP2)
8. JBXE: 11:58.816 (FP2)
