Extreme E Arctic X-Prix
Extreme E drivers address 'tone-deaf' allegations against series
Extreme E drivers have defended the series against allegations of being ‘tone-deaf’ in its environmental message after X44 driver Sebastien Loeb clipped a lake while racing in Greenland.
Matt Kew
Edited: Aug 30, 2021, 12:38 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The nine-time World Rally champion kicked up spray as he touched the water's edge when he dived past the Veloce Racing machine of Stephane Sarrazin for position in the first semi-final of the Arctic X-Prix in Kangerlussuaq.
The Extreme E twitter account shared a video of the overtake, which drew comments saying the move was at odds with the championship working to promote sustainability.
The championship's defence against its detractors has been threefold.
It maintains that races are only held in locations already damaged by the climate crisis, that widespread TV deals attract larger audiences than most documentaries on the environment, and the series is conducting research and 'Legacy Programmes' in each country visited to benefit the environment.
JBXE driver Kevin Hansen then responded to the question of whether Extreme E could be accused of being "tone-deaf" by calling out its sceptics and saying they are "a bit simple".
The Swede replied: "The people that ignore it are actually the problem.
"It's true that they don't understand, then we have to do even harder work to make sure they understand that it's a crucial time in the world.
"We all have to continue sharing our story here and show everything that we are seeing.
"We're racing in Greenland. It's an incredible location and something very crazy.
Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky/Kevin Hansen, JBXE Extreme-E Team
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
"And if people don't see that, I think they're a bit simple, because to be here is pretty life changing."
The Arctic X-Prix marked the first-ever international motorsport event to be held in Greenland, although Motorsport.com understands the final permission for the round to go ahead was only given a day before contest opened.
In a separate interview and without a question to prompt him, two-time World Rally champion Carlos Sainz Sr raised that he had been convinced by the work Extreme E is carrying out after his initial reservations.
He said: "Coming here, the message we are sending to everybody in this championship.
"I was a bit, I will not say sceptical, but at the beginning when you start to listen, when you start to follow and when you start to listen to the people who really understand about the problem we are facing.
"I think we will get more and more involved, and this is the good thing for this championship. We should try to send this message."
Asked about his involvement in the 'Legacy Projects', Sainz continued: "It opened my mind in many things, not only my mind, my knowledge.
"This is what I hope we could do with this championship.
"Trying to send this strong message that the people start to follow, to understand, to get certain interest in what is going on with the planet and with the problems we're facing."
Read Also:
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Arctic X-Prix: Andretti United claims maiden win in eventful final
Next article XE drivers call for car updates after reliability issues
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt Kew
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Apr 6, 2024
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Apr 6, 2024
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Apr 6, 2024
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Latest news
Cadillac’s F1 brakes are still a problem: ‘I had to lift and coast on lap two’
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
33 min
Cadillac’s F1 brakes are still a problem: ‘I had to lift and coast on lap two’
Why Jorge Martín was not penalised for jump start in Indonesia
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
1 h
Why Jorge Martín was not penalised for jump start in Indonesia
Palou pushes IndyCar’s IR-28 chassis to the limit in rugged Sebring test
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 1 h
Palou pushes IndyCar’s IR-28 chassis to the limit in rugged Sebring test
Why McLaren cannot fix its F1 car handling until 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
2 h
Why McLaren cannot fix its F1 car handling until 2027
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe