Veloce Racing miss out on Island X Prix II Final 11.07.2022: British squad left frustrated after Sardinian Extreme E double-header The first-ever Extreme E double-header concluded in Sardinia, Italy, earlier today (10 July) with Veloce Racing missing out on a place in the Island X Prix II Final.

British squad left frustrated after Sardinian Extreme E double-header




The first-ever Extreme E double-header concluded in Sardinia, Italy, earlier today (10 July) with Veloce Racing missing out on a place in the Island X Prix II Final.
 


A difficult opening qualifying session left the squad needing a front-running result in the second qualifying segment on Saturday afternoon. Despite setup improvements made to the #5 ODYSSEY 21 car and a quick final lap produced by Lance Woolridge, fourth place in Q2 would leave Veloce fighting it out in the winner-takes-all Crazy Race.



With the sun scorching down on the ultra-quick Sardinian course there was drama from the outset as Woolridge went side-by-side with the Andretti car on the run down to the first turn. Both cars made contact as Woolridge slotted into second during the early running, with all still to play for as the race unfolded.
 


Woolridge hounded the Andretti machine throughout his stint and was left with little alternative but to make a lunge for the lead late on. The South African tried to squeeze the car down the inside of his rival at Gate 25, but further contact tipped the Veloce car into an unfortunate half spin.
 


Christine GZ, still in the midst of recovery following her accident in Saudi Arabia, took over the car in second place and the hugely popular female driver made a valiant effort against the experienced Kevin Hansen in the JBXE car, before eventually bringing the car home in third.
 


The 2022 Extreme E campaign now moves on to Chile for the Copper X Prix on 24/25 September, before concluding with the season finale Energy X Prix in Uruguay on 26/27 November.
 


Christine GZ, Driver, Veloce Racing, said: “It just wasn’t our week in Sardinia. Of course, I have had a challenging few months recovering from my accident in Saudi earlier in the year, and the pace just hasn’t quite been there for us as a team this week.



We showed flashes of speed and we really felt that we had a chance to make the final. We gave it everything, but it just wasn’t to be this time.”
 



Lance Woolridge, Driver, Veloce Racing, said: “The car has been much improved as the week has developed and we were fighting for victory in the Crazy Race, which could have put us into the final.



I gave it my best shot and had to try to get past the Andretti car but contact unfortunately sent us out of contention. That’s probably been the story of our week, as we have not had the fortune with us at the right moments, but we will come back stronger in Chile in September.”
 



Dan Bailey, CEO, Veloce Racing, said: “Clearly, we haven’t got the results that we targeted during the Extreme E double-header in Sardinia, but we have learnt a lot that will undoubtedly improve our fortunes in the future.



Motorsport at the very highest level – which XE clearly is – is about extremely small margins so we will not leave a stone unturned in trying to reach our true potential. We look forward to showing improved performance in both Chile and Uruguay later in the year.”


 


Simon Melluish - photos Extreme E