McLaren expands motorsport programme with Extreme E entry for 2022

In a move that further expands its motorsport programme alongside Formula 1 and IndyCar, the Woking outfit will contest the all-electric SUV championship for its sophomore season next year.

Extreme E started its inaugural campaign this year, with teams and drivers competing in locations around the world in a bid to raise awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

McLaren will be the first F1 team to join the series, joining the likes of world champions Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Jenson Button in entering their own teams.

The decision to enter Extreme E follows a detailed evaluation of the series by McLaren that was influenced by the company’s own sustainability drive.

McLaren insists that its F1 programme remains “firmly at the centre” of its focus, along with its exploits in IndyCar and Esports.

McLaren’s Extreme E team will be operated bu McLaren Racing using existing personnel from outside its F1 programme and it is yet to determine its driver pairing.

“From the moment Extreme E was announced we have been following the progress of the series closely,” said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown.

"Our attention was immediately drawn by the innovative format of this motorsport platform, in particular the ability it gives us to accelerate and boost our own overarching sustainability agenda, which shares the same priorities of decarbonisation, waste reduction, diversity and equality.

“From the outset, McLaren has always been at the forefront and never afraid to push new boundaries. This new venture is true to our roots of participating in a variety of categories, innovation and bravery.

“Extreme E is paving new ground in motorsport as a force for good in confronting some of the biggest challenges facing our world today and in the future.

“While Formula 1 will always remain at the centre of our world, like INDYCAR and esports, our entry into Extreme E is additive to the McLaren Racing franchise and will complement and help support all our programmes.

“We will be competing against big names we’re very familiar with from F1 and INDYCAR but, like all series we compete in, the competition objective is clear: we are there to win.”

Extreme E boss Alejandro Agag added: “To have McLaren on board, which symbolises the highest level of racing and automotive innovation, is a huge endorsement that what we have delivered in just our first two races of Season 1 has already created real impact in motorsport.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Zak and the powerhouse McLaren Racing team to Extreme E, and it’s safe to say, we can’t wait to see how the team performs in its first off-road, electric racing debut.”

In January, McLaren confirmed it had signed an agreement with Formula E that gives it the option to join the Gen3 era beginning in 2022, though it is yet to announce whether it intends to enter.

It is also interested in a potential future entry into the World Endurance Championship.