Bethonie WaringExtreme E has sealed a multi-year partnership with BBC Sport to have the opening season broadcast free-to-air in the UK.
BBC, which also broadcasts sister series Formula E, will air the five-race 2021 championship on digital platforms.
A number of British drivers have already expressed interest racing in the championship, which will visit the Amazon Rainforest, Hymalayas, Greenland, Saudi Arabia, and Dakar. Billy Monger and Jamie Chadwick are both part of the Drivers’ Programme, while British Esports team Veloce Racing is also set to enter.
“Our goal with Extreme E is to open this innovative new series up to as wide an audience as possible. Securing this deal with the BBC is a massive coup in what is a key market for us,” said Extreme E Chief Marketing Officer Ali Russell.
“The UK has an insatiable appetite for world-class motor racing and a groundswell of backing for sustainable technologies – particularly pertinent given the government’s plans to bring forward the transition to fully-electric motoring to 2035.
“It’s highly likely that there will be a number of home-grown drivers in the fold come January 2021 for the Brits to back, with the likes of Jamie Chadwick and Billy Monger signalling their intent to compete for a seat in the series by signing up to our Drivers’ Programme.
“Of course, there’s also an exciting British entry in Veloce Racing – the Esports outfit turned motorsport team – with Adrian Newey on-board as its Lead Visionary. I’m looking forward to seeing what the British talent can do come ‘lights out’ in just under a year’s time.”
The announcement is the latest broadcasting deal for the electric SUV championship, with FOX Sports, FOX Sports Asia, Mediaset, Sony India, TVNZ, RTM, Dubai Sports, and BTRC broadcasting the championship across four continents.
Image courtesy of Extreme E
Andrea Perilli