Al-Attiyah aiming for the podium in Extreme E debut

Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah is aiming for a podium finish in his maiden Extreme E event.

The four-time Dakar winner joined Abt Cupra XE for the second season of the off roading electric championship, joining Jutta Kleinschmidt at the team.

Despite the lack of experience in the series, Al-Attiyah is confident the squad can take strong results from the Desert X-Prix.

“For me everything is new but today we showed the pace,” he said. “We kept some for tomorrow.

“I’m really happy, thankful for the organizations, thankful for the media, to support this event because this is a very important message for all the world, for the environment. We need to work together to make everything happen.

“We are waiting for tomorrow and just wanting to drive. To be, at least for the first time for me, on the podium would be a great start for the championship”.

Al-Attiyah, who has raced in a variety of rally championships, had wanted to compete in the inaugural Extreme E season, he revealed, but calendar clashes meant the drive couldn’t happen.

“For me, driving with the Abt team, I’m really happy because I know the team very well, and to give me this chance to be part of the team and to share the steering wheel with Jutta is amazing,” he said.

“Last year, I was really nearly art of Extreme E, to do this event, but with the schedule I was not able to do it. This year I am part of the team.”

Last year’s Desert X Prix was located at Al-‘Ula. This year’s event will take place at Neom, a purpose built city designed with smart technology in mind. The circuit will once again feature sand, rocks, and gradient changes, but is expected to be less dusty than last season.

Image courtesy of Extreme E