Extreme E reveals shoreline spectacular for Season 3 opener 09.03.2023: Extreme E has revealed its first course of Season 3 for the Desert X Prix in NEOM, Saudi Arabia. The pioneering series’ opening round of the 2023 campaign will take place on the shores of the Red Sea, offering a new test for our 10 teams and 20 wor

Extreme E has revealed its first course of Season 3 for the Desert X Prix in NEOM, Saudi Arabia.



The pioneering series’ opening round of the 2023 campaign will take place on the shores of the Red Sea, offering a new test for our 10 teams and 20 world class drivers out on course.



The track features plenty of fast corners and twisty, technical sections for the drivers to maximise the potential of the ODYSSEY 21 – which is sure to provide plenty of overtaking opportunities across two races this weekend.



Part of the lap also features a picturesque sprint alongside the coastline, which will rank amongst one of the most high speed sections the series has ever had.
 






Andreas Bakkerud, Extreme E Championship Driver, said: “It is my first time on an Extreme E course out here in the desert, and without doubt driving just a couple of metres from the Red Sea is pretty spectacular!



“I think this track will provide a lot of great action. There are lots of challenging sections on the track, with compressions, crests, difficult corners and two very spectacular jumps.



“A number of the turns are pretty wide, so drivers will be able to choose multiple lines out on the course – and that sort of variety will allow for lots of overtaking opportunities.



“The long straight right alongside the beach is going to be an incredible sight, too, and should provide an iconic backdrop. If you use ENOWA HyperDrive correctly here you should be able to do a great overtake.



“It is a very challenging track, but I think it will be a rewarding one for the drivers.”
 






There are multiple elements to this year’s Desert X Prix course which will push the drivers to the limit behind the wheel.



The sandy terrain, particularly keeping up speed through the dunes, will be crucial to manage, while being creative with racing lines as the track develops throughout the weekend will also prove pivotal.



The drivers must also be mindful of the changing gradients of the sand throughout the lap, and maintaining performance over the course’s spectacular jumps, which will put the ODYSSEY 21’s FOX suspensions to the test.



Tamara Molinaro, Extreme E Championship Driver, said: “All of the Extreme E courses have that something special and this latest design in NEOM certainly has it.



“The drivers are really going to enjoy racing on this course as they can make a huge difference to lap time by being smooth, consistent and fast – and there should be plenty of overtaking out there if you are quick out of the corners. It should be a great first round of Season 3.”



The first X Prix of 2023 begins in NEOM, Saudi Arabia, this weekend (11-12 March).




Josh Bell- photos ExtremeE