Bethonie WaringScandinavian Touring Car Championship race winner Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky has joined JBXE for the inaugural Extreme E championship.
JBXE is the latest team to join the Extreme E grid, having been revealed in January. Team owner and Formula 1 champion Jenson Button will also drive for the team.
The announcement completes the driver line-up for the 2021 Extreme E field, as Techeetah confirmed it will postpone its entry into the series.
Ahlin-Kottulinsky already has some experience behind the wheel of the Odyssey 21, having run as a test driver for series tyre partner Continental. She played an important role in developing the tyres that will be used during the five-race season.
“I am delighted to be joining the JBXE team alongside Jenson Button, it feels like a dream come true,” she said.
“Not only do I get to race with such a fantastic team-mate, but we both really believe in the platform of the series. Extreme E is more than just another motorsport, it is a sport for purpose which we can use to showcase electric vehicles and motivate people to rethink their views on the consequences of climate change.
“If we can make this racing series exciting, innovative, and interesting to follow, the willingness to make big and small changes will grow – for the benefit of our world and everyone on the planet.”
Ahlin-Kottulinsky began her car racing career in 2012 after finishing second in the FIA Women in Motorsport’s shoot out. She became the first woman to win races in many of the series she competed in, including the Scandinavian touring car championship, when she claimed a victory in 2018.
She spent 2020 racing in the series, finishing ninth overall, alongside her Extreme E development work.
“I am delighted to be welcoming Mikaela to JBXE and to have her as my team-mate,” said Button. “She brings with her some fantastic experience behind the wheel and her work with Continental and Extreme E to this point clearly demonstrate what an asset she will be to the team.”
Image courtesy of Extreme E
Andrea Perilli