Six time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton recently launched a team called X44 in the inaugural all-electric off-road racing Extreme E racing series.
Interestingly, his team is named after his F1 car number at Mercedes.
While Hamilton will not drive nor will run the day-to-day operations, he is expected to make strategic decisions such as who the drivers and engineers of the team will be.
“Every single one of us has the power to make a difference, and it means so much to me that I can use my love of racing, together with my love for our planet, to have a positive impact,” said Hamilton.
“I’m looking forward to the team taking part in this new series and I think it’s incredible that we can do so whilst raising awareness about the climate crisis.”
Hamilton has been an advocate of a greener and sustainable world for long and this move has not surprised many.
What is Extreme E?
Launched to raise awareness of climate issues, Extreme E will make its debut next year. It will feature all-electric SUVs racing across five remote territories such as glaciers, deserts, and rainforests to underscore how climate change is impacting regions across the world.
It has been founded by the same team that has been behind Formula E but its focus is not just racing cars. Rather, it is a series to promote electrification, sustainability, and equality.
Extreme E was launched in January last year and its first race is due to take place in Dakar, Senegal on 23rd January next year. The other races will take place in Brazil, Greenland, Nepal, and Saudi Arabia.
Each team in Extreme E will consist of one male and one female driver. The race itself will be over a distance of 16 kilometres with the drivers competing a lap apiece.
To mitigate the effect on the environment at large, the races will not be open to live spectators. Rather, the audience can watch the series on TV.
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