British squad retains third in the Extreme E championship standings despite mechanical failures

Veloce Racing turned heads in Round 9 of the 2023 Extreme E season, winning the first Heat of the day in an eye-catching chrome livery, voted for by VEXT token holders. With hopes high for a podium result, the team suffered a DNF in the Grand Final due to damage suffered in Qualifying.

Fifth place for the London-based team in the penultimate round of Season 3 puts Veloce Racing just out of reach of a maiden championship title. With the squad's nearest rivals, Rosberg X Racing (RXR) and ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team (ASXE), finishing first and second, respectively, Veloce Racing remain third in the championship standings with only one race to go.

Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor secured a perfect start to the day with a win in Qualifying 1 Heat 1, ahead of both ASXE and RXR as Hansen performed a striking overtake on the latter in the opening stages. The dynamic duo then took this pace into Qualifying 2, taking the lead off the start. A red flag in the first corner meant a re-start, but Taylor was unfazed, launching to the front of the pack once again.

A front right failure brought the team's dominant run to an end but, despite the DNF, a successful GridPlay put the team in prime position on the grid of the Grand Final.

As teams set off and the dust settled, the #5 ODYSSEY 21 remained on the start line. Hansen was able to get the car moving just enough to avoid a DNS and take 10 points for the team, a feat which could prove crucial in the fight to retain third in the championship.

Veloce Racing will be in full pursuit of a third victory this year in tomorrow's final round of Extreme E Season 3, and keeping that top three spot in the standings would represent an commendable leap from tenth in the championship only last year.

Molly Taylor, Veloce Racing driver, said: “We did everything we could today. When the car was running the way we wanted it to we were competing at the front for race wins. Despite the bad luck in Q2 we still made it to the Final, but another DNF there was a reminder of how cruel motorsport can be sometimes. The team executed everything well and there is still lots to be proud of. We'll be heading out there tomorrow in full pursuit of that top step on the podium."

Kevin Hansen, Veloce Racing driver, said: “That's the first day done here in Chile. Not the day we thought we were going to have, especially after an amazing start. We won the first Qualifying race which was mega, and took the start again in Q2 before a right front failure and crash for Molly. The team did an amazing job to repair the car enough to make it to the start line, but the damage meant we couldn't finish the Final. That might be the end of our championship hopes but we'll be fighting hard tomorrow to stay third and to round off an amazing season with another X Prix victory."

Dan Bailey, CEO, Veloce Racing, added: “While we're no longer in the running for the Extreme E Season 3 title it is important to remind ourselves of what a hugely positive season this has been for our team. Not only did we build upon our fantastic team spirit, but we have proven that we have the right ingredients to compete at the front of a talented field of drivers and teams.

“Both Molly and Kevin performed extremely well and the mindset within the team tomorrow will naturally be to compete for our third victory of the year and keep our spot in the top three of the championship standings."