Update: X Prix in Brazil and Argentina cancelled
Updated 17:00 Friday 11th June 2021. In another Covid-induced blow to motorsport, Extreme E has announced that it is looking for alternative destinations for the final two races of its five-race inaugural season.
Both the Brazilian Amazon X Prix, 23rd-24th October, and the Argentina Glacier X Prix, 11th-12th December, will be unable to go ahead, with the organisers deciding to postpone visiting the region until Season 2.
As a result, they are seeking alternative locations, and are considering an event in the Western Isles, Scotland ahead of Glasgow hosting the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in November.
Founder and CEO of Extreme E, Alejandro Agag, said: “We’ve been closely monitoring the situation regarding all Extreme E locations for 2021 and have chosen to make this pre-emptive decision on racing in South America this year. As a new series embarking on our opening Season, our priority is to deliver a five-race calendar of events which are safe and responsible for our global participants, partners and staff to travel to and attend.
“This was not a decision made lightly, however current travel advice and restrictions have also meant we have been unable to visit the race areas in advance to undertake the necessary reconnaissance visits, which are especially vital due to the remote nature of our operations.
“We will of course continue to support our important reforestation and agroforestry initiatives which are already well underway in the region thanks to the help of Dr Francisco Olivieira and our partnership with The Nature Conservancy in Brazil. We would also like to thank the local authorities in Brazil and Argentina who have been supportive throughout the whole process and we hope we can return in 2022.”
Two successful events have already taken place – the Desert X Prix in Saudi Arabia and Ocean X Prix in Senegal – with the third, Arctic X Prix, in Greenland at the end of August.