– Team to be named Andretti United Extreme E
Extreme E is delighted to confirm that Andretti Autosport has joined forces with United Autosports and updated its team name to Andretti United Extreme E.
The U.S.-based outfit, which confirmed its involvement in Extreme E in April, will take on a new look as it partners with England’s United Autosports for the inaugural season of the electric off-road SUV racing series, Extreme E. The combined Extreme E effort will take on the team name of Andretti United Extreme E and be represented by a badge featuring combined heritage elements.
With Andretti’s familiarity in Formula E, and with two teams already working in tandem as partners via Walkinshaw Andretti United, the pairing of the two teams will be seamless as the new racing championship unfolds. The new outfit will be staffed by experienced team members from both organisations.
Led by Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport holds nearly two decades of accolades across various disciplines of motorsport, including five Indianapolis 500 victories and four INDYCAR SERIES championships. The team has also been active as a competitor in the ABB Formula E Championship since the first season, with multiple racing victories and now competing under the BMW i Andretti Motorsport banner.
United Autosports is one of the largest motorsport teams in the UK and competes globally in different sports prototype categories across the world. Based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK, the company is co-owned by McLaren CEO Zak Brown and former racing driver Richard Dean. The team has raced in a number of different championships, with a vast range of cars and drivers including Fernando Alonso, Juan Pablo Montoya, Lando Norris and Paul Di Resta.
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, said: « I’m really pleased to see Zak Brown and Richard Dean’s United Autosports team joining Michael Andretti in the Extreme E line-up in this powerhouse collaboration of motorsport talent and experience.
« Both teams have enjoyed huge success and bring incredible experiences to the table, but Extreme E offers a totally new challenge and will be their first joint electric racing collaboration. I’m sure I am not the only one who can’t wait to see what Andretti United Extreme E can achieve together, bring on 2021! »
Michael Andretti, Chairman and CEO, Andretti Autosport said: « I’m really excited to once again partner with Zak, Richard and the United Autosports family. We’ve had the opportunity to work together on various programs over the last few years, and this new adventure in Extreme E may be one of the most exciting opportunities to again come together. Both organisations have strong experience in diverse areas of motorsport and I’m confident our combined effort will be a contender from the start. »
Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports said: « We have been looking at getting into electric racing for a while now and this new off-road championship looks fantastic, so I’m pleased we can work with Andretti to make it happen. They already have the contacts due to their Formula E entry, but we are working closely together to get up to speed as quickly as possible. The creation of the new company gives both teams an equal partnership moving forward in the Extreme E series. We are very much looking forward to starting this new journey for the team. »
Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports added: « I’m really pleased we can announce our partnership with Andretti Autosport on the Extreme E project. We have worked with the team at Andretti for a while now and it’s great to have a hugely exciting and innovative race series added to the United programme. »
The new Andretti United Extreme E team is preparing for receipt of its ODYSSEY 21 E-SUV with sights set on the first round of testing anticipated for December. Further announcements are to be made regarding team partners and male/female driver-duo in the coming months.
Julia Fry,