After their most successful campaign to date, Veloce Racing head to Chile still in contention for their maiden Extreme E championship. Currently third in the standings with two X Prix wins in 2023, including their debut series victory, the driving duo of Molly Taylor and Kevin Hansen have secured a healthy number of points and podiums over the course of Season 3.
Will they be able to reel in those ahead to take their first Extreme E title?
The British outfit got off to a flying start at the Desert X Prix in NEOM, Saudi Arabia. After a strong end to Season 2 in their debut event together for Veloce Racing, Taylor and Hansen continued where they left off to take the team’s first Extreme E win. After battling with Rosberg X Racing (RXR) and ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team (ASXE) for honours in the opening bout of 2023, the team finished second on-course in Round 1.
However, a post-race penalty for RXR opened the door for Veloce Racing to take the winning step on the podium.
Their strong form continued into Round 2, taking a well-earned spot in the Grand Final after winning both Qualifying Heats. On this occasion, though, Veloce Racing would have to settle for second place behind ASXE, with the Spanish outfit taking their inaugural Extreme E victory. They were to be joined once more on the podium by RXR, with the top three teams signalling their intent for the 2023 season.
Home comforts were next up for the team as they headed to Scotland for the Hydro X Prix as one of the pacesetters.
A difficult start in Scotland meant Veloce Racing would have to contest the Redemption Race for Round 3 of the season. Despite troubles in Qualifying, Hansen and Taylor secured vital points to shadow home ASXE in the Redemption Race to finish second, and seventh in the overall classification.
After a dry beginning to proceedings in Scotland the heavens opened for Round 4, but there was no raining on Veloce Racing’s parade as the team snatched back the championship lead. A broken driveshaft in Qualifying 1 was not the best start to proceedings, but victory in their Qualifying 2 Heat demonstrated the team’s resilience on home soil.
A bold move by Hansen in the Grand Final snatched the lead for Veloce Racing and despite being pursued all-race by the NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team, the British outfit became the first double winners of Season 3.
Next up for Veloce Racing came the Sardinian double-header and, although there were notable high points, the rounds on the Italian island would see the team drop back to third in the standings.
Misfortune in Qualifying during Round 5 meant the team would have to settle once more for fighting it out in the Redemption Race. Hansen and Taylor achieved the maximum to cross the line first, scoring valuable points on a weekend which saw nearest rivals RXR and ASXE lock out the top-two positions in both races.
Despite winning a Qualifying Heat for Round 6, a Grand Final appearance at the Island X Prix was denied once again.
After victory in Q1, their plans were scuppered after incurring damage to their ODYSSEY 21 and technical problems, which left them fifth in their Q2 Heat and without enough points to secure their place in the Grand Final. Despite disappointment in the Veloce Racing garage, Hansen and Taylor managed to secure a second-place finish in the Redemption Race which gave them seven crucial championship points.
Returning to Sardinia for Island X Prix II in September, Veloce Racing needed a strong showing to get their championship charge back on track.
A dramatic podium was secured in Round 7, with a dogged drive from Taylor enough to claim third place and a return to the podium positions after struggling with visibility throughout her run.
Round 8 saw Veloce Racing take Redemption Race honours once more, crucially ahead of ASXE who, after winning Round 7, lost momentum in the final bout of racing in Sardinia as they finished ninth. Nevertheless, further ground was lost on former series winners RXR, who were runners-up in Round 8.
Attentions now turn to the Season 3 finale and the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix in Chile, with two rounds left to decide the destination of this year’s Extreme E championship.
After a difficult first two years in the series, Veloce Racing’s 2023 season has truly demonstrated the team’s Extreme E credentials. Despite the 21-point deficit to leaders ASXE, the British outfit will be aiming to finish the 2023 campaign in style and with their first championship victory.
The crowning of the 2023 champions will be live across ITV and STV in the UK, while outside of the UK please visit here for broadcaster details.
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