Ganassi’s Kyle LeDuc and Sara Price took their maiden Extreme E victory in the first leg of Island X Prix while Nico Roseberg’s RXR claimed a record-extending fifth win in the second part of the double-header in Sardinia.
The first race in Italy saw No. 99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing ending its long winless streak in Extreme E after series officials awarded a 30-second penalty to championship leader RXR following Kristoffersson’s collision with Carlos Sainz Snr.
While Sainz Snr. managed to climb out of his wrecked Acciona Sainz machine and walk away from the accident, Kristoffersson continued the race despite substantial damage to his ODYSSEY 21.
“The safety of our drivers is our greatest concern,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO and founder of Extreme E, after the accident. “Myself, along with the whole Extreme E family wish Carlos well and we hope to see him back in action this weekend for the next X Prix.”
Following the restart, the RXR crew came home 10.36 seconds ahead of first-time podium finishers LeDuc and Price, but the post-race penalty demoted Kristoffersson and Ahlin-Kottulinsky to third, handing the American pair a memorable win after they had advanced from the Last Chance Crazy Race.
In the second leg, RXR faced strong competition from Cupra XE’s Nasser Al-Attiyah and Jutta Kleinschmidt, a battle that turned out pointless after the latter got disqualified for a system safety infringement.
Kleinschmidt’s failure to properly buckle her seatbelt during the driver change led to the team’s disqualification from the Final after they finished second on the course.
The disqualification promoted X44 into second and also secured Genesys Andretti United a spot on the third step of the podium, their first top-three finish of the season.
“I am so happy to get on the podium following the Crazy Race,” said Catie Munnings of Genesys. “This is a well-deserved result for the team. We had good pace this weekend and to be rewarded with a podium is special.”
After scoring five points for the fastest lap and maximum points in Round Three, RXR once again heads the championship standings with 80 points, a comfortable 37 points ahead of their nearest challengers Ganassi Racing (43), with X44 (41) now up to third.
“It is such a pleasure for me to work with this team,” Nico Rosberg, founder and CEO Of RXR commented.
“Both drivers have been performing at an incredibly high level. Johan was the star of Race 1. Mikaela was the star of this weekend with her speed and incredible pass for the win through the water during the last lap. I couldn’t be prouder.”
RXR won the opening Desert X Prix in Neom, Saudi Arabia.
The international off-road racing series of electric SUVs will now head to Chile for the Copper X Prix on the 24th and 25th of September.