Sat | Sep 23, 2023

McConnell lands second Extreme E Island X Prix win

Published:Monday | September 18, 2023 | 12:08 AM
Jamaica’s Fraser McConnell (right) of X44 Vida Carbon Racing and his teammate Cristina Gutierrez of Spain with their trophies and helmets during the Island X-Prix II yesterday in Capo Teulada, Sardinia, Italy.
Sam Bloxham
Jamaica’s Fraser McConnell (right) of X44 Vida Carbon Racing and his teammate Cristina Gutierrez of Spain with their trophies and helmets during the Island X-Prix II yesterday in Capo Teulada, Sardinia, Italy.

Jamaican rally cross sensation Fraser McConnell and his X44 Vida Carbon Racing Team topped the podium in round 8 of the Extreme E Championships in Sardinia, Italy.

Starting for the team, Fraser McConnell took a wide line into the first turn to sweep past Johan Kristoffersson and Sebastien Loeb as that pair battled for real estate in the centre of the track.

McConnell’s clean start was decisive as Team X44 remained unchallenged throughout the round, with teammate Cristina Gutierrez bringing the car home 5.813s clear of Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky after taking the wheel at the mid-race driver change.

This marks the team’s second victory of Season 3 and first victory at an Island X Prix.

The 25-year-old McConnell was satisfied with the team’s performance, “It’s amazing to get a result like this. Everyone has ensured the car is in tip-top shape before each round. Cristina and I had our heads down and drove four strong, clean laps in the final. We did everything we could to extract some advantage and find some little tricks to help us go faster than the rest. As always, the team worked tirelessly to ensure the car was in top shape.”

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

Formed by seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, X44 Vida Carbon Racing Team are defending champions through teammate Cristina Gutiérrez.

The pair are currently fifth in the standings on 87 points. Extreme E concludes with the final leg in Antofagasta, Chile, on December 2 and 3.

“The Championship is so competitive with so many world-class drivers, so to be able to put Lewis Hamilton’s team on the top step for round 8 is an amazing feeling. We’re going into Chile with our heads high and hoping for more,” McConnell concluded.