Excessive E is delaying its last three occasions of the 12 months and says it’s “reviewing different options” to complete the season.
The electrical off-road sequence is about to turn into Excessive H — the world’s first hydrogen-powered motorsport championship — subsequent 12 months and has been finishing up growth work for its new Pioneer 25 race automotive whereas concurrently persevering with with the ultimate marketing campaign of Excessive E races with the battery-electric Odyssey 21.
Whereas the 2024 season was at all times envisioned as a versatile transition season forward of Excessive H’s full-scale debut subsequent 12 months, the large stage of assets required to run each the rest of the 2024 season whereas getting ready for Excessive H in 2025 has led to the sequence taking a strategic pivot the place it can now focus all of its assets on Excessive H.
That subsequently means the subsequent three doubleheader occasions in Sardinia (Sept. 14-15 and 21-22) and the sequence’ deliberate U.S. debut in Phoenix, Ariz. (Nov. 23-24) have been known as off. However the championship is exploring choices as to the way it can wrap up the season with a last occasion as an alternative of bringing it to an abrupt shut.
“On this present 12 months of evolution, all of us need to discover a conclusion to Excessive E, which allows us to complete what we began, while on the identical time, permits us to commit most assets into our Excessive H developments,” mentioned Excessive E founder and CEO Alejandro Agag.
“We thank the Vehicle Membership d’Italia (ACI), Regione Sardegna, and the Italian navy together with our Phoenix workforce, for all their assist and understanding in current weeks, and preserve the door open to future collaboration.
“We’re working intently with our groups and stakeholders to search out different options to fulfil Excessive E’s last season schedule.”
Regardless of the sudden pause on the 2024 season, Excessive E insists the 2025 Excessive H debut is unaffected, and it’s presently working by what that season might appear to be.
“As we proceed our transition to Excessive H, we’re absolutely dedicated to turning into the world’s first hydrogen racing sequence,” mentioned Agag. “The funding and progress within the improvements are in full move. Pleasure grows day by day because the business continues to show its head in direction of the probabilities hydrogen presents.”
Whereas the Excessive H Pioneer 25 will not be testing in Sardinia this month, growth of the automotive stays ongoing, with outings in France deliberate for the approaching weeks. It additionally lately reached a milestone by passing its FIA crash exams.
