Australian rally champion Molly Taylor wins inaugural Extreme E race

Racing alongside Swedish three-time World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson, the pair finished 23 seconds ahead of the Andretti-United machine piloted by Cristina Gutierrez and nine-time World Rally Championship-winner Sebastien Loeb.

A 30 second penalty handed to the duo for a technical infringement during qualifying didn't hamper their confidence, with Taylor and Kristoffersson fastest in every session.

"We had an amazing start to the season, we all came in here not knowing what to expect, every lap, everything's changing. It was unfortunate in quali, the issue in the pit-lane, aside from that we've been the fastest in every heat, semi and final," Taylor remarked.

Kristoffersson praised Taylor on her efforts throughout the weekend: "Molly has done a fantastic job – in the first qualifying Molly really did make the difference."

The field faced rough conditions throughout the two-lap race around the 8.8km desert course of Al-'Ula.

"What phenomenal driving they've done all weekend. It's been such tough conditions, not a foot wrong, unbelievable speed – it's awesome," Team Owner Nico Rosberg said.

The Extreme E team is an evolution of Team Rosberg which was founded by Nico's father in 1994. Rosberg isn't the only big name from F1 taking part in the series, with both Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button also heading up teams.

With five rounds on the Extreme E calendar, Round Two takes place in Senegal, the Ocean X Prix beginning on 29 May 2021. Taylor and Kristoffersson will head into the next round five point ahead of Cristina Gutiérrez and Sébastien Loeb.