The opening round of the 2024 Extreme E season roared into action this weekend in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and it was defending champions Rosberg X Racing (RXR) who emerged victorious after a thrilling battle with the NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team.
In a race filled with lead changes and intense competition, RXR's Johan Kristoffersson and Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky managed to cross the line just 0.167 seconds ahead of Mattias Ekström and Cristina Gutiérrez of NEOM McLaren. With the podium completed by E.ON Veloce Racing and a last-lap roll for ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team, the Desert X Prix delivered electrifying racing action from start to finish.
Right from the opening lap, the stage was set for a fierce battle. Ekström took the early lead with a daring maneuver, but Kristoffersson fought back to put RXR in front after the first two laps. E.ON Veloce Racing's Kevin Hansen stayed close, making it a three-way battle for supremacy.
The drama continued in the driver changeover, with Gutiérrez launching a determined attack on Åhlin-Kottulinsky in hopes of securing a maiden win for NEOM McLaren. Meanwhile, Taylor in the E.ON Veloce car watched closely, waiting for an opportunity to pounce.
The fight for victory intensified as Gutiérrez finally managed to overtake Åhlin-Kottulinsky, giving NEOM McLaren a glimmer of hope. However, the tenacious Swede refused to back down, and with a decisive move, she reclaimed the lead for RXR.
Holding her nerve under immense pressure, Åhlin-Kottulinsky steered the car home to secure a narrow victory for RXR. NEOM McLaren may have fallen short of the top spot, but their impressive performance showcased their potential to be serious contenders this season.
Johan Kristoffersson, RXR, said: “Today was a great day! The course was very fast and bumpy, but Mikaela did a great job, and I'm super happy to be back on top! Looking forward to doing it again tomorrow!”
Cristina Gutiérrez, NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team added: “I'm feeling happy after today's race… We were able to put together a good performance and get to the Grand Final. It was a shame not to win, but I think we will be competitive this season.”
Molly Taylor, E.ON Veloce Racing concluded: “We have all worked so hard… We were unlucky not to finish higher in the Final, but we should be proud of the pace we showed out there.”
The excitement wasn't limited to the Grand Final. The Redemption Race saw Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E take the win with a strong drive from Catie Munnings and Timmy Hansen, while LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, led by Travis Pastrana, put on a show to finish second, ahead of JBXE and SUN Minimeal Team.
With Season 4 off to a thrilling start, the battle for championship glory promises to be intense. Rosberg X Racing have laid down the gauntlet, but NEOM McLaren, E.ON Veloce Racing, and the other teams are hungry for their chance to shine. The next round in Jeddah takes place tomorrow, and with the electric atmosphere of the Desert X Prix still buzzing, one thing is certain: the future of sustainable motorsport is crackling with energy.