Extreme E launches student ambassador programme

Extreme E has announced two female student ambassadors are joining its crew for 2024’s season.

Jessica Brito and Santhiya Chandrakumar will be supporting the championship’s logistics, operations and partnerships functions, across all five events in the Season 4 calendar and have already been involved in the series’ first race, at the Desert X Prix in Saudi Arabia.

The students were recruited via the McLaren Racing 60 Scholars Programme, an initiative McLaren launched in 2023 to encourage and support the next generation of female leaders in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Named to mark the team’s 60th anniversary last year, the programme recruited 60 aspiring female leaders of tomorrow for an accelerated course of learning and mentorship, with the aim of opening pathways to a career in motorsport.

The role includes directly supporting Extreme E’s hospitality and partnerships teams and among their key responsibility involves running the Paddock Tours for VIP guests. This gives them a behind-the-scenes look into the teams, engineering partners and broadcast experts. They also lead the guest experience within the Explorer Lounge – Extreme E’s on-site hospitality.

Ali Russell, managing director of Extreme E, said: “Supporting the next generation is a key part of Extreme E’s ethos and we are delighted to welcome Jessica Brito and Santhiya Chandrakumar to the championship, who were both extremely impressive in their first event in Saudi Arabia.

“Supporting educational development is incredibly important to Extreme E and we’re excited to have identified individuals from the McLaren 60 Scholars Programme to help give females in STEM the invaluable hands on experience of working in motorsport.

“As the students will become a vital part of the operations team, the knowledge and experience they will gain over the 2024 season will hopefully aid them in their goals of a career in motorsport.”