JBXE, the latest addition to the Extreme E, confirmed today that Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky will be in the cockpit with Jenson Button, the team’s founder and driver.
Åhlin-Kottulinsky is no stranger to Extreme E, she was already a test driver for Continental, the founding partner of the championship. In this position, she played a crucial role in the development of the CrossContact Extreme E-Tire, which is mounted on all electric SUVs with the name ODYSSEY 21.
In recent years the Swedish driver has successfully participated in the Scirocco R-Cup Germany and in the rallycross discipline. In 2015 it was part of the newly founded Audi Sport TT Cup. She also competed in the junior classification of the ADAC GT Masters in 2016 and in the Audi Sport Racing Academy in 2017 before moving to the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship in 2018, where she made series history as the first and only woman to ever race won.
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Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, JBXE rider, said: “I am very happy to be part of the JBXE team alongside Jenson Button. It feels like a dream is coming true. Not only can I drive with such a fantastic team-mate, but we both really believe in the series. Extreme E is more than just another motorsport. It’s a sport that we can use to showcase electric vehicles and motivate people to rethink their views on the consequences of climate change. If we can make this racing series exciting, innovative and interesting, the willingness to make big and small changes will increase – for the benefit of our world and all people on the planet. “
Jenson Button, founder and driver of JBXE, said: “I am very happy to welcome Mikaela to JBXE and to have her as my teammate. She brings some fantastic experience behind the wheel and her work with Continental and Extreme E clearly shows what an asset she will be for the team. I also have no doubt that in Mikaela we have an incredibly valuable ambassador who represents JBXE and Extreme E as a whole in the fight to raise awareness of climate change and implement the Extreme E Legacy Program projects. “
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, said: “I am delighted that Mikaela has been selected to join the JBXE team and officially welcome her on board the adventure as our newest Extreme E rider. Your collaboration with Continental was instrumental in developing the championship tire. Although she will be the last to join the party, I am sure that her prior knowledge and early experience in the car will help her get in quickly. Mikaela and Jenson are sure to make a strong pairing and I can’t wait to see them race at our first X Prix in Saudi Arabia in just 22 days. “
Mikaela’s signature at JBXE completes the Extreme E-Driver roster for the inaugural race after it was confirmed that Team Techeetah is postponing its entry into the series.
The team from the Indonesian Indover Group has cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a key factor in the decision. Global travel restrictions mean they cannot come to Europe to test their car and driver pairing or to make the necessary preparations. Team Techeetah remains keen to compete in the Extreme E in a later race and will provide updates on its future status in the coming weeks.
Åhlin-Kottulinsky joins an outstanding line-up of drivers from a wide variety of motorsport disciplines, including Germany’s Claudia Hürtgen, Jamie Chadwick, Timmy Hansen, Sebastien Loeb, Carlos Sainz sen. and Molly Taylor. All of them will take part in the Al Ula desert in Saudi Arabia from April 3rd to 4th. That promises two days of exciting races in a format that is comparable to “Star Wars Pod Racing meets Dakar”.
Extreme E isn’t just about racing, it’s a sport for specific purposes. Through sport, the series highlights the various environmental problems that affect the planet and the greatest emergency of our time – climate change. In addition to raising awareness, the series will support legacy programs at each of its five race locations, which has long-term positive effects.
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