Extreme E: RXR claim second win of the season in Sardinia
Rosberg X Racing took the win in the second Island X-Prix with a late overtake to secure a second victory of the season.
Having initially claimed the win in the first Island X-Prix just a few days before, RXR was stripped of its win as a result of a heavy collision with Carlos Sainz, pushing the Swedish pair of Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky and Johan Kristoffersson down to a third placed finish.
The team made amends on the Sunday, however, with Åhlin-Kottulinsky snatching the win in the last moments with a superb pass on ABT CUPRA XE’s Jutta Kleinschmidt.
Åhlin-Kottulinsky, and team-mate Johan Kristoffersson, who headed the standings prior to the Sardinian double-header, now have a lead of 37 points ahead of their nearest challengers No.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing, with X44 now up to third.
RXR also scored maximum points from Round Three, with the quickest combined time in the Continental Traction Challenge adding five to their tally, bringing their total overall to 80 points.
Nico Rosberg, Founder and CEO of Rosberg X Racing, commented: “It is such a pleasure for me to work with this team. It reminds me of my F1 days. It’s been a great team effort with everyone giving their best and being at the height of their game. Both drivers have been performing at an incredibly high level.
“Johan was the star of Race 1 in NEOM. Mikaela was the star of this weekend with her speed and incredible pass for the win through the water during the last lap. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, RXR, said: “It’s been my strongest Extreme E weekend so far. We worked so hard, Johan and I analysed everything to try and improve even more. The final was an absolute blast for me, waiting for right opportunity to overtake Jutta. After this week, and everything that happened during the first race, I just feel like this is the ending that we deserved, and I am very happy for the team.”
ABT CUPRA XE was disqualified after the race, a decision that promoted X44 into second and secured Genesys Andretti United Extreme E a spot on the third step of the podium, their first top three finish of the season.