McLaren Racing is to enter a team into Extreme E, the all-electric off-road series, alongside its Formula 1 and Indycar efforts.
The decision to enter Extreme E follows a detailed evaluation of the series by McLaren against a set of strategic, economic and operational criteria. These, it says, were underpinned by a clear imperative for accelerating McLaren Racing’s own sustainability mission, which is claimed to place at its core carbon reduction; the recycling, reuse and elimination of waste; and diversity, equality and inclusion.
The team notes that simultaneous competition in different series has been embedded since its founding, with Can-Am, Formula 1, Indycar and Le Mans all forming part of the McLaren legacy of motorsport competition and innovation.
The team will be operated by McLaren Racing using both existing personnel from outside the Formula 1 program and additional specialist resources. Like all teams, McLaren Racing is limited to four mechanics and one engineer at each event for the one-make car and its two drivers, transported by Extreme E as part of the overall franchise package.
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, commented “From the moment Extreme E was announced we have been following the progress of the series closely. Our attention was immediately drawn by the innovative format of this motorsport platform, in particular the ability it gives us to accelerate and boost our own overarching sustainability agenda, which shares the same priorities of decarbonization, waste reduction, diversity and equality.
“At the same time, it will enable us to reach a new audience with an innovative race format, connect with a new generation of fans through content served across a variety of channels and provide partners with a purpose-led competition platform to align with and share in a positive, powerful narrative.
“While Formula 1 will always remain at the center of our world, like Indycar and e-sports, our entry into Extreme E is additive to the McLaren Racing franchise and will complement and help support all our programs. We will be competing against big names we’re very familiar with from F1 and Indycar but, like all series we compete in, the competition objective is clear: we are there to win.”
