Extreme E: Vegan Champion Lewis Hamilton Launches Electric Off-Road Racing Team

In support of electric car racing, Lewis Hamilton is forming his own team for the pioneering electric off-road racing series Extreme E, which is set to begin next year. The competition, which takes place around the world in remote locations under threat from climate change, is designed to raise awareness about the issue and the solution that electrification brings.   

Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton has founded his own team for the upcoming Extreme E off-road series, which will see competitors race in various environments including arctic, desert, rainforest, glacial and coastal regions, all regions that are facing challenges as climate change intensifies. Hamilton’s new team will be called X44, paying homage to his car number for Mercedes in Formula 1. 

In addition to raising awareness about climate change, the races will showcase the performance of electric vehicles to mainstream audiences as a solution to reduce carbon emissions and pollution. Extreme E also sets up a legacy programme to work with local communities in the various race locations to leave behind a positive social impact.

As founder of X44, I am looking forward to building my team around important values such as sustainability and equality. None of us are perfect and we all have improvements to make, but I am excited to use our platform to highlight the most serious issues facing our planet and the solutions we can all be part of.

Lewis Hamilton

While Hamilton does not plan to drive as a member of X44, he says that as the founder of the team, he hopes to shed light on the most urgent global challenges of our time. 

“As founder of X44, I am looking forward to building my team around important values such as sustainability and equality,” said the six-time world champion. “None of us are perfect and we all have improvements to make, but I am excited to use our platform to highlight the most serious issues facing our planet and the solutions we can all be part of.”

“Extreme E really appealed to me because of its environmental focus. Every single one of us has the power to make a difference, and it means so much to me that I can use my love of racing, together with my love for our planet, to have a positive impact,” Hamilton added. 

In line with the Extreme E’s commitment to sustainability, the series will not see spectators join races, but will instead be broadcasted live. By doing so, it hopes to encourage people to enjoy sports without travelling across the globe and contributing carbon emissions in the process.

Extreme E really appealed to me because of its environmental focus. Every single one of us has the power to make a difference, and it means so much to me that I can use my love of racing, together with my love for our planet, to have a positive impact.

Lewis Hamilton

Speaking about Hamilton’s backing, Alejandro Agag, the founder and CEO of Extreme E, said: “Lewis is one of the most successful drivers of all time, and we’re all excited to see how his X44 team performs on and off the race track under his incredible guidance.”

It’s not the first time the racing legend has sought to raise the profile of environmental issues. In 2017, Hamilton made the switch to a vegan diet in order to reduce his carbon footprint and for his own health. He has since launched a chain of plant-based burger restaurants called Neat Burger.

Lead image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.