Jamaica’s Fraser McConnell (left) of X44 Vida Carbon Racing and teammate Cristina Gutierrez of Spain strike the famous Usain Bolt’s ‘to the world’ pose after securing victory in Round 8 of the Extreme E Championships in Sardinia, Italy on Sunday, September 17, 2023. (PHOTO: Contributed).
Jamaica’s 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 on Sunday.
Starting for the team, McConnell took a wide line into the first turn to sweep past Johan Kristoffersson and Sebastien Loeb as that pair squabbled for real estate in the centre of the track.
McConnell’s clean start proved to be decisive as Team X44 remained unchallenged throughout the round, with teammate Cristina Gutierrez of Spain 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,” said McConnell. “Cristina and I had our heads down and drove four strong, clean laps in the final. We did everything possible 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 tip-top shape.”
Formed by seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, X44 Vida Carbon Racing is currently fifth in the standings with 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 put Lewis Hamilton’s team on the top step for round eight is an amazing feeling. We’re going into Chile with our heads high and hoping for more”, McConnell concluded.
