Nine-time Formula E race-winner Sam Bird has joined the Drivers’ Programme for Extreme E, the all-electric off-road racing series due for 2021.
Membership of the programme is for those interested in driving the series’ Odyssey 21 SUV in the five-round global contest, which takes place in locations where climate change is a major talking point, and Bird is joining the likes of Sébastien Ogier, Timmy Hansen and Nelson Piquet Jr on XE’s growing list.
Bird has raced in FE for six years with Virgin, and has represented Ferrari in sports car racing in recent years too. Several of his FE rivals are also on XE’s Driver Programme, and two-time champion old team-mate Jean-Éric Vergne is even a partner in the Veloce Racing team that plans on entering the series.
“The ODYSSEY 21 looks like a bit of a monster,” said Bird. “I’m expecting top-level performance given the numbers, and having seen footage from Dakar earlier this year, it looks like that’s what we’ll get. I’ve spent a lot of time in Formula E, so I’m not new to EVs in motorsport but this E-SUV will be a different kettle of fish.
“It’s a unique car and a unique series, so naturally there’ll be a period of adaptation and a learning curve, especially as I’ve very much been a circuit racer through my career to-date,” added the 33-year-old. “It’ll be exciting to get to grips with and I’m a fast learner!”
