The three-kilometre course of the Uruguay Natural Energy X Prix promises an exciting showdown and, with two laps per driver each round, the stage is set for some action-packed wheel-to-wheel racing.
Festivities got underway yesterday with a roadshow in downtown Punta del Este. A welcome speech was delivered by Alejandro Agag, while the drivers in the title contending teams took questions from the crowd of fans.
An autograph session followed, where the spectators got up close and personal with the stars and cars of Extreme E ahead of the final race of 2022.
Fraser McConnell, JBXE, said: “We got an amazing reception from the fans here in Uruguay. To be a part of Extreme E’s first fan event, especially from behind the wheel of the JBXE ODYSSEY 21, is something I’m really proud of.”
Ezequiel Companc, XITE ENERGY Racing, said: “It’s been an amazing event, and to introduce a parade to Extreme E is something quite amazing. Being close to the fans was a great experience – they really appreciated it and so did the drivers.
“This is quite a new series, only two years now, so it was amazing to see so many people coming by to give us the love.”
With Rosberg X Racing (RXR) 17 points clear in the race to lift the championship trophy this weekend, the final round of the season will prove the most nail-biting yet for the other Extreme E contenders as they look to steal glory in Punta del Este.
Ahead of a crucial weekend, quickest out of the blocks in Free Practice were Genesys Andretti United Extreme E with a time of 10:07.248. Having shown pace throughout the campaign, Timmy Hansen and Catie Munnings set off in hot pursuit of a second podium for their 2022 campaign.
Timmy Hansen, Genesys Andretti United Extreme E, said: “The whole team is hoping to end the season with a good result. We’ve had strong pace this year but unfortunately, have missed out a few times in the semi-finals which has ultimately resulted in us not getting the results we have been aiming for.
“Our qualifying results show we’ve had a good season from a pace perspective, so we’re hoping we can keep that pace going into the season finale. Our aim is a podium or to end the season with a win, nonetheless I’m excited to be back with the team for the final time this year.”
Catie Munnings, Genesys Andretti United Extreme E, said: “The team is excited for a new race and for the chance to prove our pace out on track. Hopefully, we can have a clean set of runs and a successful race. We haven’t had a win this year, so that’s the aim but let’s see if we can make it happen.”
Close behind were championship contenders X44 Vida Carbon Racing who, off the back of victory in Chile, maintained their momentum with a time of 10:08.851 and a quickest lap of the day from Sébastien Loeb.
Also setting their best time in the second session were ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team, who rounded out the top three and kept their title hopes alive going into tomorrow’s Qualifying.
NEOM McLaren Extreme E recovered from a roll for Emma Gilmour in Free Practice 1 to claim the fourth fastest time of the day, while No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing completed the top five runners.
Championship leaders RXR were eighth overall in Free Practice as they search for the consistency needed to win back-to-back Extreme E titles this weekend.
Free Practice combined timings:
- Genesys Andretti United Extreme E 10:07.248 (FP2)
2. X44 Vida Carbon Racing 10:08.851 (FP2)
3. ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team 10:15.664 (FP2)
4. NEOM McLaren Extreme E 10:18.988 (FP2)
5. GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing 10:22.369 (FP2)
6. ABT CUPRA XE 10:22.588 (FP2)
7. JBXE 10:23.311 (FP2)
8. Rosberg X Racing 10:25.891 (FP2)
9. Veloce Racing 10:22.473 (FP2)
10. XITE ENERGY Racing 11:00.288 (FP2)Cristina Gutiérrez, X44 Vida Carbon Racing, said: “Heading into this weekend, because I am used to driving in sand and gravel, I have some confidence. In Dorset we had similar conditions, and we won the race, so I’m hoping we can carry that forward. Obviously, it helps to have had the win in Chile. It’s meant we have come here with more motivation knowing the championship is alive.”Laia Sanz, ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team, said: “We feel strong but of course the championship is far away to win. It will be difficult, but anything can happen, so we need to find a little here and see what we get. I think we have a good rhythm and can be competitive this weekend so we will try our best.”
Tanner Foust, NEOM McLaren Extreme E, said: “The fifth and final round of Extreme E in Uruguay marks the end of a whirlwind first season for the NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team. Emma and I have grown as a driving duo, the team has grown as a tight unit with a focus on results, and the pace has increased dramatically over the span of one short season. I’m looking forward to wrapping up the year in positive fashion!”
RJ Anderson, No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing, said: “It’s a very extreme learning curve and as I mentioned before, I’m going against some of the best teams and drivers in the entire world so that makes it an even steeper incline for me but I’m really enjoying the process!”
Nasser Al-Attiyah, ABT CUPRA XE, said: “We saw in Chile that we can race for trophies and victory with a clean race day – and that’s exactly our goal for Uruguay. Now, my focus is fully on the XE finale. Starting in front of so many spectators is something that I’m not used to. I’m looking forward to it and hope we’ll have plenty of time for the fans.”
Fraser McConnell, JBXE, said: “It’s an honour to be here and great to be part of the racing team with JBXE. But it’s one step at a time, knowing what to do and what not to do, and there’s no pressure added either from the team or myself. We are not in the championship final, so the mission is to do whatever’s possible and bring it home.”
Johan Kristoffersson, Rosberg X Racing, added: “It’s great to be here. The track is located on a wide grassy plain. We have never driven on such a surface before, so this will be interesting. Obviously, we will do our best as we thrive for the victory in Uruguay, and I am confident we are in a good position to bring it home.”
Molly Taylor, Veloce Racing, said: “It’s really nice to be back. It feels very familiar in the paddock and seeing all the familiar faces. The way this track is built feels very different to me from anything before – it looks like a new kind of style from what I’ve been used to (in Extreme E) especially with the braking. But even from the first lap, it feels like a lot of fun!”
Ezequiel Companc, XITE ENERGY Racing, said: “It’s a completely new sport, and a completely new way of driving for me, especially as my background is with GT racing. But doing my debut here at Extreme E, at this amazing event so close to my hometown, it is something really special for me.”
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