Home advantage: Veloce Racing takes aim at Extreme E finale

Veloce Racing is primed to see out the 2021 Extreme E season on home soil this weekend (17-19 December) as the inaugural season of the off-road all-electric racing series reaches its dramatic conclusion with the Jurassic X Prix in Dorset, England.

At the wheel is newly crowned two-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick. The 23-year-old returns to the championship after missing the previous two rounds, owing to calendar clashes with the single-seater category.

Chadwick will be joined by the team’s season-long Reserve and Development Driver Lance Woolridge. The South African ace joins the squad for the final round of the season after a successful year of racing in his home country, as well as attending several X Prix providing invaluable advice and insight to Veloce.

The 2021 season has been one of highs and lows for the London-based squad. The Desert X Prix in Saudi Arabia would signal the start of the championship and a troubled first race for Veloce, with the green and black ODYSSEY 21 dramatically rolling out of contention on the first competitive lap of the weekend.

In Senegal, however, the team would fare much better. In a battle of attrition, a calm and collected approach across the event saw the team pick up its first-ever podium finish with a well earned second place.

Next up was Greenland and the Arctic X Prix. A race that saw the #5 squad produce eye-catching pace in the qualifying stages, only to be cruelly denied a place in the final as a result of an all-or-nothing lunge over the ‘Rock Garden’ that ultimately ended with suspension failure mere metres from the finish line.

The penultimate round of the season saw the drivers go head-to-head in Sardinia, Italy at the Island X Prix. Once more, the Veloce squad looked to be in fine fettle, setting promising lap times from the outset. It was not to be, however, with the car ending the Crazy Race on the sidelines following a spectacular crash.

For the final race of Extreme E’s first-ever season, with a fresh driver line-up and renewed motivation, the team have their sights set on a strong showing in Dorset to carry through the winter break.

Lance Woolridge, Driver, Veloce Racing said: “I’m really pleased that Veloce has given me the opportunity to race at the final round of the season. We’ve all put a lot of work in to make sure the car is performing at the best possible level all year and now to be able to put that into practice is incredible.

“Jamie [Chadwick] has had a brilliant year with the podium back in Senegal as well as her W Series championship, so I’m confident that together we’re capable of getting a good result for the team to cap off the season!”

Jamie Chadwick, Driver, Veloce Racing commented: “I can’t believe it’s the end of the season already. It feels like yesterday that we were all in Saudi Arabia not knowing what to expect from this amazing new series.

“It’s great to be returning for this final race and I’m excited to see what Lance [Woolridge] and I can accomplish together. The last time I drove the ODYSSEY 21 car we got a podium, so I think it’s only natural to set another top-three finish as the target for this weekend.”

Rupert Svendsen-Cook, Co-Founder & CEO Veloce Group added: “Everyone is really excited for Veloce’s home race in Extreme E, and true to form, the British weather looks to have provided us with some of the most extreme conditions faced so far with a very muddy course! We’re also very happy to have Jamie and Lance on board for the final event of the year – it’s great to give them the opportunity together.

“As with all debut seasons, we have had some ‘learning experiences’ along the way and we are well-positioned to maximise the weekend both on and off track with our loyal partners. Regardless of the result in Dorset, Extreme E has put on an excellent show in its first year and Veloce is proud to have been a part of it.”