Rosberg X Racing secure back-to-back victories at Island X-Prix
Rosberg X Racing (RXR) took the win in Round 6 of Extreme E Season 3, marking back-to-back victories at the Island X Prix.
Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky and Johan Kristoffersson reached the top step of the podium for the second time this weekend, becoming the first team to do so in the new double-header format.
The haul of championship points sees the team leapfrog Veloce Racing in the standings, with Nico Rosberg’s outfit now sitting just four points off the lead as we pass the halfway point of the season.
Johan Kristoffersson, Rosberg X Racing, said: “We had a great weekend here in Sardinia, which seems to be a proper RXR Island. Yesterday we managed to take the win from a very tricky grid slot, and then today, we found ourselves in the same slot again but went for a different tactic, and when I saw a small gap I went for it. For a split second, I regretted it because there was no space, but I managed to get through, and from there, I managed the pace quite well.
“We also had a brilliant switch and managed to open that gap a bit more, and from there on, Mikaela [Åhlin-Kottulinksy] did a fantastic job bringing it home. Today was the perfect day winning all three of our races, and the car has been in perfect condition. A big thanks to the team, the mechanics and everyone for making this possible. It’s great to be back in the fight for the championship.”
Runners-up once again were the ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team, who retain their lead at the top of the championship standings with 109 points having also stood on the second step of the podium in Round 5. Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E completed the podium, after a sensational overtake at the death from Catie Munnings saw the team seize third from No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing.
Rounding out the top five were JBXE, with Andreas Bakkerud and Hedda Hosås reaching their first Grand Final of the 2023 campaign.
Winners of the Redemption Race were Klara Andersson and returning champion Sébastien Loeb, gaining a crucial eight points from today’s racing after a challenging double-header for ABT CUPRA XE.
Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, Rosberg X Racing, said: “Wow, what an epic weekend! We had really good pace all weekend, and the team worked so hard to get the car in the perfect shape every time. Today, I thought it would be hard at the start, but Johan [Kristoffersson] just did what Johan does best. When I took over, there was some pressure from Laia [Sanz] behind me, but I tried to keep it tidy and keep the lines. It just feels surreal to have two wins in Sardinia! It’s epic!”
Nico Rosberg, CEO and Founder of Rosberg X Racing, said: “The level of competition in Extreme E is world class, and so to win two races this weekend is absolutely epic. During yesterday’s Final we were last after the start and managed an incredible comeback, and today we were second to last but the others had a tangle and we managed to slip through. Huge driving from Johan [Kristoffersson] and Mikaela [Åhlin-Kottulinsky] means we’re now back in the championship battle.”
Extreme E returns to action for Rounds 7 and 8 in September (16-17), with the location to be revealed soon.
