(Motorsports news) Rosberg X Racing (RXR) , the champions of the first edition in Extreme E are back for Season 2 with a change in driver line-up as they aim to retain their crown in 2022. Johan Kristoffersson, who was with RXR in the inaugural Extreme E campaign will continue to drive for the German outfit and is joined by Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky to mark an all-Swedish driver pairing. Nico Rosberg’s team bids to become back-to-back winners, Åhlin-Kottulinsky replaces Australian Molly Taylor at RXR.
Åhlin-Kottulinsky previously competed for JBXE, driving alongside Jenson Button and later Kevin Hansen, claiming third place in the first-ever Extreme E season. Åhlin-Kottulinsky was with Rallycross in the beginning of her career, before moving on to the circuit to become the first woman to win a race in the German Scirocco R-Cup in 2014. Four years later she made history with a race win in the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship as the first female driver to participate in the series. Last year, she finished second in the STCC Championship.
In 2019, Åhlin-Kottulinsky joined as a test driver for Extreme E’s founding partner Continental, helping to develop the CrossContact tyre for the series’ ODYSSEY 21 e-SUVs. Kristoffersson, who had three wins for RXR en route to last year’s Championship alongside Taylor, is the most successful FIA World Rallycross Championship driver in history and won the World Rallycross crown in 2021 for the 4th time. Since joining World Rallycross in 2014, Kristoffersson has picked up 27 victories and 41 podium finishes. Kristoffersson’s pace in multi-car, off-road racing was there for all to see in Extreme E Season 1.
Alongside his Extreme E and World Rallycross achievements, Kristoffersson’s career includes trophies in circuit racing, displaying his versatility behind the wheel. These highlights include title success at national and regional level via the Swedish Touring Car Championship alongside the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia.
Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, RXR, said: “I am incredibly honoured and excited to join RXR and support the team in defending their Championship title. To have the chance to work with the winning team from Season 1 is truly a great opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started! I’m really looking forward to working and learning from Nico [Rosberg] and Johan [Kristoffersson], two world champions and drivers that I have huge respect for and admire for their incredible record behind the wheel.
“What really strikes me about RXR is their commitment to the cause of Extreme E. Apart from the track action, I am particularly looking forward to becoming involved in the Driven by Purpose Campaign, which aims to support initiatives and projects for climate awareness, and equality. It’s a fantastic opportunity and will be an epic season.”
Johan Kristoffersson, RXR, said: “I am very happy to continue my work with RXR. We have had a sensational first season together and I am confident that we can build on this experience and become even better. I am feeling relaxed, full of energy and eager to win again.
“Having Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky on my side is an extra motivation. She is a very gifted driver and being compatriots, with many common experiences, I am sure we will get along just great.”
Nico Rosberg, Rosberg X Racing Founder and CEO, said: “We are happy to have found the perfect driver line-up for our second season in Extreme E. This year is going to be even more challenging as we have to defend our title against a growing field of very professional and highly determined teams.
“With the experience and track record of both Johan Kristoffersson and Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, we will be prepared for the battle and hopefully make for some exciting action on track. I can’t wait for the starting signal a couple of weeks from now.”
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