Why Extreme E's Senegal round hints at the series' true potential

By:

Matt Kew

Jun 1, 2021, 8:43 AM

Extreme E's second round on the sands of Senegal refined some the more clunky aspects of the series' debut event in Saudi Arabia. Even though its star-studded finale between Lewis Hamilton's X44 team and Rosberg X Racing proved anticlimactic, the pieces are in place for the series to only get better

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Epic locations, thrilling car chases and executives who possess more than a passing interest in (the) Amazon. There are just about enough similarities to draw comparison between Extreme E and the James Bond film franchise. And that's before mentioning the RMS St. Helena 'floating paddock' that freights the championship's cargo from one venue to the next. No hollowed-out volcano, but it surely has all the credentials of a nautical villain's lair.

Stretch the analogy a little further and an inaugural event for the all-electric SUV off-road racing series in Saudi Arabia back in April was akin to Dr. No releasing in 1962. A fine entry but perhaps a touch plain with no overtakes coming beyond the first corner of each race. Nevertheless, it provided a sound enough platform upon which to tinker with the idea.