McLaren Racing is set to increase its presence in the world of motorsports beyond theFormula 1 and IndyCar disciplines. This past Friday, the British manufacturer announced its commitment to enter the Extreme E series in 2022 with its very own team.

The innovative all-electric off-road series was conceived to promote green values in racing as well as with the aim of making motorsports a little more diverse. The brand from Woking will take the start in all five races scheduled for next season, pushing its own internal agenda in both the issues mentioned above (sustainability and diversity).

With this move, McLaren also aims to attract new fans and possible partnerships, all of which will contribute to the overall growth of the McLaren Racing enterprise. The British company has explained that joining the innovative championship was motivated by their desire to accelerate the sustainability agenda of their industrial and sporting industries.

McLaren has also spoken about its commitment to reduce its own carbon footprint, increase recycling and reutilisation, cutting waste and further promoting diversity, equality and inclusion values.

In line with the above is the Extreme E’s specific goal to minimize its own environmental impact and raise awareness on green and conservation issues. In order to do this, they chose their racing venues amongst places which have been hit the hardest by climate change, bringing fans closer to the heart of the most pressing environmental issues.

The series has also implemented other equality and diversity measures such as the requirement to have the same number of male and female drivers in each team. At the same time, the Extreme E organisation is collaborating with the automobile industry in the research and development of new technologies and allowing for the competition to serve as a platform for innovation in transport and mobility.

In any case, this is not McLaren’s first incursion in the electric vehicle world. The brand supplied the batteries for the Formula E single-seaters during the Gen1 and Gen2 seasons, a technology later inherited by the McLaren P1. In 2022, however, McLaren will go from being a mere supplier to forming an actual team, broadening it’s knowledge and experience in the world of fully electrical racing.

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, commented:

“From the moment Extreme E was announced we have been following the progress of the series closely. Our attention was immediately drawn by the innovative format of this motorsport platform, in particular the ability it gives us to accelerate and boost our own overarching sustainability agenda, which shares the same priorities of decarbonisation, waste reduction, diversity and equality.

“At the same time, it will enable us to reach a new audience with an innovative race format, connect with a new generation of fans through content served across a variety of channels and provide partners with a purpose-led competition platform to align with and share in a positive, powerful narrative.

“From the outset, McLaren has always been at the forefront and never afraid to push new boundaries. This new venture is true to our roots of participating in a variety of categories, innovation and bravery. Extreme E is paving new ground in motorsport as a force for good in confronting some of the biggest challenges facing our world today and in the future.

“While Formula 1 will always remain at the centre of our world, like INDYCAR and esports, our entry into Extreme E is additive to the McLaren Racing franchise and will complement and help support all our programmes. We will be competing against big names we’re very familiar with from F1 and INDYCAR but, like all series we compete in, the competition objective is clear: we are there to win.”

Alejandro Agag, CEO of Extreme E, said:

“Extreme E’s mission is to use sport to build awareness and accelerate clean technology innovations that benefit the mobility industry and beyond. To have McLaren on board, which symbolises the highest level of racing and automotive innovation, is a huge endorsement that what we have delivered in just our first two races of Season 1 has already created real impact in motorsport”.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Zak and the powerhouse McLaren Racing team to Extreme E, and it’s safe to say, we can’t wait to see how the team performs in its first off-road, electric racing debut. Season 2 just got very exciting!”

Images of McLaren: McLaren Racing.