Lewis Hamilton has announced he will enter his own team in the new Extreme E series which will begin next year.
However the six-times Formula 1 world champion said he “won’t be operationally involved in X44” due to his “ambitions and commitments with Mercedes in Formula 1”. Hamilton’s contract to drive for the team expires at the end of this year, but he is expected to re-sign for 2021.Extreme E is a new series created by Formula E founder Alejandro Agag. The series will pit all-electric 550bhp Sports Utility Vehicles against each other on a series of remote locations.
Hamilton said he was attracted to the championship because of its focus on raising awareness of environmental concerns.
“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.
Under Extreme E’s rules, Hamilton’s team will name one male and one female member of its two-driver squad. Rival entries already confirmed include top American teams Ganassi and Andretti, plus HWA and Techeetah.
Agag said Hamilton “is hugely passionate about motorsport, but also shares our belief that we can use sport to highlight subjects which are vital to the world, such as climate change and equality.
“Lewis is one of the most successful drivers of all time, and we’re all excited to see how his X44 team performs on and off the race track under his incredible guidance.”
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Chris Horton
8th September 2020, 10:29
Well done. Regardless of his actual involvement, his association helps raise the profile and awareness of the problem.
Homerlovesbeer (@homerlovesbeer)
8th September 2020, 10:47
Cool concept! Dunno about Ham raising environmental awareness by racing through, and probably damaging, remote wilderness and possibly animals.
Good to see him supporting racing through his income though. Nice one Ham :)
F1oSaurus (@)
8th September 2020, 11:08
@homerlovesbeer Lol I know right. Let’s go tear up a nice spot of nature to show people they should preserve nature.
Maybe support something like the Solar Challenge instead then. Driving a car on solar power through Australia.
bob (@riptide)
8th September 2020, 12:18
So you are saying we can’t race somewhere nice so we’ll have to do it in Australia instead? lol.
F1oSaurus (@)
8th September 2020, 12:31
@riptide Ha, ha, I guess. But in Australia they do it on normal open roads right?
bob (@riptide)
8th September 2020, 12:39
Not looked into it in any depth, but they are having scientists and environmentalist as part of this series, and I think the idea is its perfectly acceptable to race or do other activities as long as you leave nature better off than it was before you arrived; which I assume this series is going to set out to prove. Although not sure how environmentally friendly it is as I understand that they are using a ship to get the cars and equipment around the world. Certainly going to take a closer interest in it now Hamilton has some stake in it.
ScottDamn
8th September 2020, 14:03
At first glance, what you say makes sense.
But when you do research into the series, and see how they have considered all of this, you will see how well thought out it is.
I really wish people would take the time they do to comment, to instead do some research before commenting.
I promise you, when they start a series like this, if you can think of these questions, so can they and the press that will question them.
These issues have been addressed, especially with something making such bold claims as this.
I doubt we would see so many big names getting involved unless the carbon footprint as been properly offset as that is integral to the series.
AliceD (@aliced)
8th September 2020, 11:50
+1
GtisBetter (@)
8th September 2020, 12:09
Remote doesn’t mean that the locations are pristine protected national parks. Just rally locations, maybe a bit more off road. From what I understand they goal is to race and raise awareness on the problems that come with climate change. I wonder how Brazil is going to react to them 😆.
ScottDamn
8th September 2020, 13:59
You should really research the series before you comment.
You look a little silly when you say things like this.
Homerlovesbeer (@homerlovesbeer)
8th September 2020, 11:18
I wonder if Hamilton’s complete support crew will consist of precisely 25% black, 25% white, 25% brown and 25% yellow skinned people.
You know, equal opportunity and all that jazz.
Also 50% male and 50% female.
Bet it isn’t :D
bob (@riptide)
8th September 2020, 11:33
Why would he. In his decade long efforts to advance the lot of the less privileged he has never promoted such a ridiculous policy.
And why you would think what you propose has any relevance to equal opportunity is beyond comprehension.
Homerlovesbeer (@homerlovesbeer)
8th September 2020, 12:15
Oh c’mon guys…lighten up a little! I’m simply referring to Hamilton bagging F1 for lack of diversity. After all the noise he’s made about it I’d honestly expect his team to be more diverse than all the others.
I hope you can see where I’m coming from and what I’m referring to.
Tony Mansell
8th September 2020, 13:18
Yeh lighten up guys he wants to poke fun at BLM. What’s the problem? Jeez get a sense of humour.
John
8th September 2020, 16:55
They deserve to be mocked. It’s an elite funded organisation bent on chaos and divide, and very little to do with racism and bringing people together.
Rapid
8th September 2020, 17:00
Nice try. Maybe next time poke fun at something that isn’t a world issue that drives tension and conflict. Do this in real life and you will actually gain an understanding of the world. You know, from a hospital bed maybe.
Shimks (@shimks)
8th September 2020, 11:43
There is something seriously wrong with you, @homerlovesbeer.
Homerlovesbeer (@homerlovesbeer)
8th September 2020, 12:24
No mate. You just have zero comprehension of the real world and what aspirations are realistic and which are not.
ScottDamn
8th September 2020, 13:39
Mate, why dont you wait and see, instead of jumping to conclusions.
Are you going to come out in support when his team is diverse?
Or are you only here to criticize, when you actually have nothing to go on?
People who only speak in criticisms are a bit of an issue in sport nowadays…
At least we know how sad and offended you are when he wins race after race, title after title, and breaks record after record :) Makes the boring races worthwhile for me lol
melanos
8th September 2020, 12:43
Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if his idea of diversity would be having 100% of the crew of the same race, his own one of course
ScottDamn
8th September 2020, 13:55
You should really look up the definition of diversity lol
Tony Mansell
8th September 2020, 16:59
Which one Would that be ? His white mum or black dad?
Ignorance is ugly as some of these posts back up. You kinda hope it’s just ignorance. Stoopidity is after all forgivable. This kind of stuff happens to often though. You will be judged and are being.
John
8th September 2020, 17:01
Of course, and they’ll all be chosen using the industry standard of Pantone colour cards!
Anyone mentioning skill as a basis for hiring will have their life destroyed though social media, because in 2020 all that matters is how someone looks. Haven’t we come so far…
DonSmee (@david-beau)
8th September 2020, 20:59
So the entire world is classified in four colours now. Smh.
Simon
9th September 2020, 21:11
The dog whistling on this site is getting very tiresome.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th September 2020, 13:35
Sure, nice to see Hamilton supporting something that might help create enthusiasm for electrical vehicles. But to be honest, the concept of racing in remote areas (and bringing a couple of hundred people + equipment there to damage the environment) and racing a type of car that over the last 2 decades or so has done more to ruin fuel efficiency than most car manufactuers have been able (or willing) to make up for by technical improvements to the powertrains, seems completely backwards to me.
The solution to mobility that will help us change the curve is certainly not that we go around crossing about in massive far too heavy cars with horrible air resistance. Regardless of them being electrical. It has to come from travelling less, using more public transport if transport is needed, making transport more effiecient and yes, use fuels / energy sources that can be made less of a burden on our world.
ScottDamn
8th September 2020, 13:47
It about bringing attention to these regions suffering from climate change.
There is a lot being done to offset the carbon footprint of the series. If you do some research you will see what else the organisation is involved in. So the total carbon footprint isn’t nearly what you think it is, although I can see why one would think this.
Unfortunately people don”t listen to the boring details.
Kind of why we have to dress up supporting climate change in bright colours and fast cars, cause most people will not pay a single ounce of attention to it, unless it is fashioned like this.
Blame humans for needing a dressed up reason to pay attention, not the people who are doing what is necessary in the world we live in today.
This series is actually very well thought out. People are learning daily how to still do these things by offsetting carbon footprints, and its really positive, as it shows how we don’t need to give up everything in order to improve our carbon footprints and to actually make an overall positive impact.
Remember the idea is, the bigger your carbon footprint, the more you will need to do to offset it.
Everyone thinks its all about giving up the things you love.
Its actually just doing what you love responsibility.
bob (@riptide)
8th September 2020, 14:06
Thank you for putting it far better than I could.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th September 2020, 20:23
I know all of that already. I looked into what was planned for the series shortly after it was put into existance Scott.
And yeah, I get the thing, I see how they are presenting a program that tries to put as much added value in without being too much of a burden on everything around it.
But it still has these SUVs glorified. And mostly white people going somewhere to add value. And it will have people following them to see those places etc. Which I feel is not good at all. So let’s just say that this series is doing its best, but it just is not for me.
BasCB (@bascb)
10th September 2020, 8:00
To my point about SUV’s
Zann (@zann)
9th September 2020, 9:50
Must admit @bascb I hate SUV’s too, so it’s a mixed bag for me as well. It’s not just they they themselves are pointlessly big and heavy, apart from for bullying and being omg bigger than yours, it’s that in an accident they squash small efficient cars flat, and mums know this, so they have to get one as well, to protect their children. It’s like they breed.
The problem with wilderness is breeding and children as well – too many of them! I wish people would stop having so many, then we could visit wilderness without ruining it. If there were only 4 billion or something humans instead of 7 going on 11.
Otherwise I do like some aspects of Extreme E, so I will be watching. Awareness is a thing and pretty big. Even tho I suspect that clever Alejandro has just basically paid Lewis to use his name.
RocketTankski
8th September 2020, 13:58
Coming next, Xtreme Powerboat Whaling! (with hybrid engines of course) to draw attention to endangered species.
Matt (@hollidog)
8th September 2020, 15:28
at least the children in the cobalt mines will have something to do
Trevor Marron
9th September 2020, 2:29
And how are they going to charge the batteries in the middle of nowhere then? Oh yes, big diesel generators……
ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
9th September 2020, 7:38
Ahaha. Remind me of Solar Panel festival at Vermont in Moore movie.
BasCB (@bascb)
9th September 2020, 12:40
They can also use other fuels than diesel in those generators – I think Formula E has already established that their fuel for generators they use at some of the locations is a reuse of waste glycerine or something like that. And as @ruliemaulana mentions, solar panels can also help a decent chunk towards the operation.
ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
9th September 2020, 7:34
Lewis should filed trademark on x44. It’s his race number, +44 nation, and also perfect on 4×4 race.