X44 co-founder parts ways with team

X44 co-founder Marc Hynes has left the team ahead of Extreme E’s inaugural race.

Hynes founded the team along with Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton. He had been part of Hamilton’s management team for several years and was the chief executive of Project 44.

Last month it emerged Hynes and Hamilton had parted ways in an “amicable” split.

X44 confirmed to Just Electric this also meant his exit from the team.

“Marc has left X44 to pursue other opportunities within motorsport,” the team said.

“He was instrumental in bringing the team to life and e wish him ell knowing that he will be as valuable to his next challenge as he was to X44!”

Hynes, who himself started his career as a driver and won the 1999 British Formula 3 championship, has experience working as a driver coach and as previously the Head of Driver Development at Marussia F1.

X44 partners with Prodrive

X44 has become the latest team to partner with an experienced motorsport manufacturer as it joins forces with Prodrive.

Prodrive has experience in every aspect of motorsport, having raced in everything from Formula 1 to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The manufacturer is most famous for its feats in rally, however, having won six World Rally Championship titles and numerous other accolades.

Prodrive-contracted driver Sebastien Loeb had already been confirmed as X44’s male driver, racing alongside fellow Dakar racer Cristina Gutierrez.

Prodrive chairman and founder David Richards said: “Extreme E is such an exciting and unique concept and I have been fascinated by the project ever since Alejandra [Agag] launched it almost to years ago.

“When Lewis [Hamilton] then announced his interest in a team it was a great opportunity for Prodrive to help him realise his personal ambitions from the series.”

Image courtesy of X44