According to a press release by Extreme E, they have revealed that the story of their inaugural season will be told by an all-star team featuring tv presenter Layla Anna-Lee, the on site presenter for the championship’s magazine show while the commentary line up will be led by Jennie Gow and Andrew Coley from a London based studio. Anna-Lee will host the ‘Electric Odyssey’ the championships 20 episode magazine show and will provide behind the scenes information of the series content pillars of environment, equality, electrification and entertainment. Here’s what she had to say, “This is so hard to put into words, because it truly is such a pivotal moment. Before even stepping foot on location, I already know how much of a positive impact this will have on our cause. To be embarking on this adventure of extreme proportions, to be storytelling an epic tale of speed, power and legacy fills me with an empowering and exciting emotion.
“Sport has an unbelievably powerful voice. I’m a sports fan first and foremost, and I’ve seen the impact football can have on lives, nations and deep-set traditions and cultures. Teamwork and healthy competition are inspiring things to watch, and through sport, we can communicate great positive messages of change – I’ve seen it work before.
“I’m an imperfect environmentalist – I feel I represent many of us who are inspired by a healthier, more compassionate future, and what better way to push boundaries, set precedents and drive change than a high-speed, high-adrenaline off-road racing series? I’m in!”
Anna-Lee has presented Extreme E’s sister series Formula E in the past and is a staunch supporter of women in motorsports. Another advocate for Extreme E’s gender equal approach is Jennie Gow who has previously been a presenter and lead commentator for the FIA World Rallycross Championship since its inception in 2014. She had this to say, “I’m thrilled to be joining the Extreme E team as one of its lead commentators. The mission of the series is something that really appeals to me, having been interested and actively campaigning for better environmental responsibility from a young age. Now, as a mother, raising awareness around environmental issues is more important to me than ever before – we are all stakeholders in the future. “Extreme E will do a fantastic job of taking viewers on a journey of environmental awareness paired with thrilling never-before-seen racing action, and I am so proud to be part of the team. This championship has so many areas which I am really passionate about, and at its core it is a brand new motorsport which promises to excite, entertain and challenge drivers, teams and fans alike.
“Addressing the big issues as Extreme E does was key to my decision to move out of my comfort zone with presenting and pit reporting and step into the world of commentary. Diversity and inclusion are so important in the future growth of motorsport. This is a powerful moment in time where men and women will be represented in every team. It seems only right, therefore, that there is a mixed team in the commentary box, too.
“It’s a privilege to be asked to take to the mic and I’m delighted to work alongside Andrew Coley, who I have known for some years now. He is an absolute pro, and together we hope to reflect the dynamic nature of the sport and bring the audience along for what is going to be an adrenaline-filled ride” she added. Lastly, commentator Andrew Coley said, “I’m super excited to be joining the Extreme E broadcast team and very much looking forward to the start of what is effectively a brand new form of motorsport. Coming from the background I do on the off-road side of the sport, this ticks so many boxes from a competition point of view, with a mix of rallying, rallycross and rally-raid. It’s going to be fascinating to see how it plays out.
“The driver line-up is absolutely stellar from all forms of motorsport, and I’m sure some old rivalries will be renewed and some new ones started! I’m really excited to see the pace of the female drivers; motorsport is unique in allowing men and women to compete against each other on equal terms, and I expect the competition to be fierce from the outset. “While we don’t know everyone’s relative form yet, it is obvious that both team members will need to be super-committed from the outset to gain an advantage and tactics are 100 per cent going to come into play… I can’t wait!”
The commentators Jennie Gow and Andrew Coley will be special guest analysts for each race from a remote London studio as a part of Extreme E’s aim to achieve net-zero carbon footprint in Season 1. The identities of the special guest analysts will be revealed in due course. The Desert X Prix is the first race of the inaugural Extreme E season in AlUla, Saudi Arabia on 3/4 April followed by Lac Rose in Senegal on 29/30 May for Ocean X Prix, Kangerlussuaq in Greenland for the Arctic X Prix on 28/29 August and Pará in Brazil for the Amazon X Prix on 23/24 October, before concluding with the Glacier X Prix in Argentina’s Patagonia region on 11/12 December.