Extreme E - What is it like to race in Chile? 01.09.2022: Extreme E will compete in South America for the first time at the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix in Chile later this month (24-25 September). The event will mark a step into the unknown for the series, however four of the Extreme E grid have r

Extreme E will compete in South America for the first time at the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix in Chile later this month (24-25 September).



The event will mark a step into the unknown for the series, however four of the Extreme E grid have raced in the country before in Laia Sanz, Sebastien Loeb, Carlos Sainz Snr. and Nasser Al-Attiyah. We got their thoughts on what the Championship should expect in its maiden South American X Prix.



Extreme E: We’ve heard you’ve raced in Chile before - for those who haven’t, or are new to the series, what should we expect?



Sebastien Loeb: Chile is an incredible country with beautiful landscapes and welcoming people, so I am looking forward to visiting again. When I raced there it was much further south than we will be racing with Extreme E, so this feels new for me too.



Carlos Sainz Snr.: Chile is a great country to race, to go and rally. We had the experience of the Dakar Rally, which was a really good event. The Atacama Desert is a really nice place. There is a lot of enthusiasm from the people in Chile and I am happy to be back there.



Laia Sanz: There are two kinds of terrains there: the dunes, which are huge and so nice, but from my understanding, we are not going to be racing in the dunes. It’s usually a very dusty place and we will have to manage that. I don’t know the track exactly, so it will be new for everybody. I am really excited to go there.

Nasser Al-Attiyah: I have a lot of good memories from my first Dakar victory there back in 2011. This round will be very interesting for everybody. The Championship is getting closer, and we want to prove what we are capable to do with our team. We have shown a strong performance recently and want to bring home a trophy now.
 




XE: Will it be comparable to anything else we have seen in Extreme E so far?



CS: It depends, really. It depends on the place where we race, the type of terrain and layout of the circuit because we have already been to some really demanding locations. I’m confident that the track will be demanding. It’s probably going to be sandy. We will only really find out for sure once we get there.



NA: I believe it will be quite similar to Saudi Arabia as we will again be in the middle of the desert. What will be different is the altitude – that might be a challenge for everyone.




SL: Each Extreme E race is unique as we travel around the world, driving on different terrains with varying conditions each time. There’s always a different challenge when we visit a new destination, with lots of natural obstacles to navigate, but that is one of the things we like as drivers about this Championship – you are always learning!



LS: For sure it will be something different because the desert in Chile is the driest place in the world. It’s exciting because I like to race in all kinds of conditions. We will see. Also, although I have raced in Chile in the past, I don’t know the place where the Copper X Prix will take place.





XE: What do you think makes Extreme E heading to South America for the first time to race so special?



LS: I am really happy to come back to South America. I’ve done the Dakar many times and I love the people and the place. I am sure it will be special. We speak the same language and it’s really nice to go there. It’s been a long time since my last visit and I can’t wait!



CS: First of all, South America is a really good place and a really good market. The countries are developing really quickly. It is a place that deserves to host a couple of Extreme E races and I think that the Atacama Desert in Chile is a perfect area where a race of Extreme E can be organized. I am not surprised that the series is aiming towards South America.
 


NA: It’s great that Extreme E is finally coming to South America and will showcase electrified motorsport in this area of the world. The country is beautiful and nature as well as renewable energy play an important role to the people living there. We will do our best to make the debut in Chile a big success.



SL: I always find it exciting to race the car in new locations, you learn so much more and gain more experience with each new destination, but particularly somewhere like South America where it is a completely different part of the world. I think most of the teams will have to learn to adjust to things like travel time and altitude that they haven’t had to plan for before, but it’s also an opportunity to learn about a new culture and a really unique part of the world.



XE: As you have raced in Chile before, do you think this gives you any kind of an advantage at all?



SL: I hope this is the case but no, I don’t think so. When I raced in Chile, it was the other side of the country so the terrain was completely different, we raced through forests for example, and of course we were in a car that is not at all like the ODYSSEY 21. I think all the teams will have the same advantage which is what makes it so interesting.
 




CS: To be honest I don’t think we will get any advantage. Today, we all have the same opportunities to practice and I don’t think it will be any different from the previous races. I think it will be the same for everybody.


NA: Yes, we have raced there before and that gives us some experience. But I don’t think that will mean a big advantage when you look at all the great young drivers on the Extreme E grid. But at least, if you have some fond memories of a place, it gives you a good feeling right from the start.


LS: Maybe if the track was in the dunes yes, because we would have had more experience than the others. But in the end, it will be new for everybody, so I don’t think that we will have an advantage. We will all be in the same conditions. After what happened in Sardinia, Carlos and I can’t wait to get there and have a good result.
With 75 points, Nico Rosberg’s RXR hold a commanding lead over nearest rivals No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing who sit second on 43 points, closely followed by ACCIONA | Sainz XE Team (42 points) and X44 (41 points) in third and fourth, respectively. Here are the Extreme E championship standings in full.



Nevertheless, as the series takes a step into the unknown, there is all to play for and plenty of points up for grabs as Extreme E takes a step into the unknown for the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix (24-25 September).
 




Simra Gulzar, photo Pexels Ton Souza and Extreme E