FIA announces inauguration of Extreme H World Cup

The FIA has announced the inauguration of the Extreme H World Cup which is set to run on a multi-year contract and first take place in Saudi Arabia.

This will mark the debut of the hydrogen-powered championship, which is the successor of Extreme E that ran from 2021 to 2024. 

The date of the World Cup will be revealed on Wednesday, as will its location in Saudi Arabia, and it will follow a similar structure to Extreme E as each team will field a male and female driver. 

Extreme E set out to highlight the impact of climate change and championed the use of new technologies and sustainability approaches. One way it sought to do this was by staging off-road events in challenging locations and terrains such as Greenland, the Arabian desert and Lake Retba.

It also transported its freight via a dedicated ship to cut down on emissions and it also acted as the championship’s floating paddock, VIP and hospitality area.  

Stars like Carlos Sainz Sr, Sebastien Loeb and Jenson Button all competed, but with hydrogen fuel now seen as the future, the championship decided to go down that route as opposed to electric. 

Cristina Gutierrez, Mattias Ekstrom, NEOM McLaren Extreme E, Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky, Johan Kristoffersson, Rosberg X Racing, Molly Taylor, Kevin Hansen, Veloce Racing Gray Leadbetter,Travis Pastrana, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY M.C.)

Photo by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The FIA is committed to supporting competitions that set new benchmarks for sustainability, innovation, and equality.

“This agreement for the FIA Extreme H World Cup demonstrates our belief in hydrogen’s potential as a key part of motorsport’s evolution.

“Together, we are laying the groundwork for a more sustainable future for our sport and the wider industry.”

Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO of the Extreme H World Cup, added: “Signing this multi-year agreement with the FIA is a landmark moment for Extreme H and the future of hydrogen racing.

“It reinforces our mission to push the boundaries of sustainable motor sport and provide a global showcase for clean mobility solutions and gender equality on the track.”