Extreme E has finally shown all its benefits. After two events with more doubts than certainties, in which the format did not finish accompanying, the category starring the Odyssey 21 has made it clear in the Arctic X-Prix how attractive it can be. In fact, the semifinals of the event held at the Russell Glacier, in Kangerlussuaq (Greenland) have offered a great show. Two vibrant Extreme E races that ended in triumphs of Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez with the X44 team electric 4×4 and Timmy Hansen and Catie Munnings with the prototype of the Andretti United structure.
‘Semi’ 1. X44, Veloce Racing and ACCIONA face to face. The Spanish team’s bet on Carlos Sainz in the first relay gave it an advantage by beating Emma Gilmour and Cristina Gutiérrez. Nevertheless, Laia Sanz couldn’t keep up with Sébastien Loeb’s pace after the beautiful invoice overtaking of the X44 rider to Stéphane Sarrazin after the change of drivers. With the rain added, Loeb managed to overtake Laia little. In a suicidal maneuver, Stéphane Sarrazin surpassed his two rivals in a rocky area where broke the suspension. An ephemeral overtaking that left the victory in the hands of Sébastien Loeb and the X44 team. Laia Sanz crossed second goal.
The second semifinal has been somewhat calmer, although it also offered a great show. With the X44 and ACCIONA Odyssey 21s already waiting for the final, the second race of the day left an impressive duel between Johan Kristofferson and Timmy Hansen. In the first relay, the RXR and Andretti United drivers did not give up in a battle that continued with Molly Taylor and Catie Munnings giving the relief to their teammates. Finally, Munnings overtook Taylor to win for Andretti United. The RXR 4×4, driven by leaders Kristoffersson and Taylor, earned the fourth ticket to the final. No options, the Abt CUPRA team was out of it.
The ‘Crazy Race’ brought together the electric 4x4s of Chip Ganassi, JBXE and Hispano-Suiza in search of the fifth and last ticket to the final of the Arctic X-Prix. A race that had much less crumb than the two semifinals, since only the Odyssey 21 of Jenson Button’s team managed to cross the finish line. Kevin Hansen and Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky did their job with the JBXE 4×4 to achieve victory in the ‘Crazy Race’ and thus sneak into the final race of the event. Oliver Bennett with Hispano-Suiza Odyssey 21 and Sara Price with Chip Ganassi’s car were not able to finish the race, being especially hard the abandonment of Bennett when he was leader.