Extreme E has cancelled the remaining fixtures of its 2024 schedule as it focuses on its transition to the hydrogen-powered Extreme H.
This cancellation means that races in Sardinia, Italy and Phoenix, US, will no longer take place. The series has said that it is looking to find “alternative solutions to fulfil Extreme E’s final season schedule”.
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, commented: “As we continue our transition to Extreme H, we are fully committed to becoming the world’s first hydrogen racing series. The investment and progress in the innovations are in full flow. Excitement grows every day as the industry continues to turn its head towards the possibilities hydrogen presents.
“In this current year of evolution, we all want to find a conclusion to Extreme E, which enables us to finish what we started, whilst at the same time, allows us to commit maximum resources to our Extreme H developments.
The series had announced that this year would be its last before its switch to Extreme H, as it looks to become the first-ever hydrogen racing series. Recently, the organisation unveiled significant progress in regards to this goal.
Its Pioneer 25 race car successfully passed its mandatory chassis FIA crash tests earlier this week, making it the first hydrogen-powered car to ever do so. Production of the Extreme H cars for its inaugural campaign will also begin in the coming weeks, with their delivery to teams expected before the end of 2024.
Agag concluded: “We thank the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI), Regione Sardegna, and the Italian military along with our Phoenix team, for all their support and understanding in recent weeks, and keep the door open to future collaboration.
“We are working closely with our teams and stakeholders to find alternative solutions to fulfil Extreme E’s final season schedule.”
It will be interesting to see if the cancellation has any repercussions on the racing series’ popularity, which has shown signs of growth in recent months.
In March, YouGov Sport data revealed that the third season of the series, which concluded last year, amassed a global audience of 144 million viewers. This marks a 6% increase in viewing figures from 135 million in 2022.
