Nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb will join Lewis Hamilton’s X44 team, competing in Extreme E next year.
Loeb will be joined by Spanish driver Cristina Gutierrez, who made history in the 2017 Dakar Rally by becoming the first Spanish female driver to finish the race in the car category, finishing fifth place among the debutantes.
Each Extreme E team is mandated to run a male and female driver, as part of the series plans to boost diversity within motorsports.
“I’m delighted to welcome Sébastien and Cristina to X44,” commented seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Hamilton. “They are both incredible drivers and I’m looking forward to seeing what they’re going to do out there at each race.
“Cristina is an upcoming talent with a great future ahead of her, and Sébastien is a driver I have admired for so many years so I’m so proud and excited to have them on board.”
Both drivers recently tested the ODYSSEY 21 electric off-road vehicle for the first time at Donington Park Circuit’s off-road stages.
“Joining team X44 is an opportunity for me to continue to do what I love, which is race, and I’m looking forward to competing in an electric vehicle – I had the chance to drive the car recently and it is incredible,” added Loeb.
“Cristina is a fantastic driver and I can’t wait to partner with her and see what we can achieve together. I am really impressed by what Lewis is doing in Formula 1 too, so to be able to work with him on this is an honour.”
Gutierrez commented: “I am really excited to join X44. Not only will we get the opportunity to raise awareness of the climate crisis, which is very important to me, but I get to work with two heroes of mine. Sébastien Loeb is the most incredible rally driver of all time so I’m really happy that I get to partner with him and I hope to learn a lot. I’m a huge Formula 1 fan and have been watching Lewis race for years, so being asked to join his team is a dream come true.
“I drove in the car for the first time recently and it was such a great experience, I can’t wait to see what it can do at each race.”
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