ABT Cupra: Superduo for offroad series 🎥
SUCCESSFUL MIXED TEAM The ABT Cupra XE pairing for the Extreme E adventure, a new type of electric racing series starting in spring 2021, is Claudia Hürtgen and Mattias Ekström. The German has already completed the first days of testing together with her Swedish teammate and got to know the 400 kW all-electric SUV. In the coming week (17 to 19 [...]
The German has already completed the first days of testing together with her Swedish teammate and got to know the 400 kW all-electric SUV. Next week (December 17-19), the team will start with all the other teams at joint tests in Aragon (Spain) before the material and car are loaded at the beginning of January.
One of the best
With successes in Formula 3 and then in various touring and sports car championships as well as several endurance races, the 49-year-old is one of the most successful racing drivers in Europe. More recently, she also drove for the BMW GT4 team of Martin Kroll from Aargau (Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport).
Claudia Hürtgen: "Extreme E is a completely new and exciting challenge for me, even after 25 years in motorsport, and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm learning with every kilometer, trying to make every corner even more perfect. So of course it's great to have such an experienced and open-minded teammate in Mattias, who gives me great support."
A strong duo
The two-time DTM champion, rallycross world champion and Cupra ambassador is delighted with his partner, with whom he will alternate in the cockpit of the e-Cupra ABT XE1 in the first season of Extreme E. This is the name of the all-electric off-road racing vehicle in its first season.
Mattias Ekström: "It then didn't take long for her to impress the entire team and also me at the small shootout of several candidates in the summer. Claudia learns extremely quickly and adapts to all requirements immediately. That's all the more impressive because she comes to us with little off-road experience."
First encounter with the competition
After the joint test drives in Spain, during which the team will also meet international competitors for the first time - including the teams of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, among others - the car and material will be prepared in Kempten.
On January 11, the cargo will then board the floating paddock St. Helena and set off for the Arabian Peninsula. On March 20 and 21, the first of five races of the season will be held in Al-Ula (Saudi Arabia).
In the short video from the presentation at the end of October, initiator Alejandro Agag and the presenter explain what Extreme E is all about.
