Lewis Hamilton announces championship withdrawal

Just days after announcing his shock move to Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton had made another shocking announcement.

After three seasons in Extreme E, and clinching the title in 2022, Lewis Hamilton has withdrawn his X44 team from the championship ahead of the 2024 season.

Established in 2020 in anticipation of the inaugural season in 2021, the series aimed to raise awareness about climate change by organising off-road races utilising electric SUVs.

Hamilton faced off against his former F1 rival Nico Rosberg, who managed his own team, Rosberg Racing, while esteemed IndyCar team owners Andretti and Chip Ganassi also fielded teams in the debut season.

X44 enjoyed a promising start, securing a runner-up position in the championship during their debut year and claiming the title the subsequent season.

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However, a string of disappointing performances resulted in a fourth-place finish in the 2023 standings. Consequently, the team has chosen not to participate in the upcoming fourth season.

“After three years as part of the Extreme E family, we’re today announcing that X44 will be departing the series.

We’ve had an incredible three seasons competing as X44, winning multiple races and even a world championship,” stated X44 in a release.

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“We extend our gratitude to our drivers Cristina, Fraser, and Seb, as well as all our skilled teammates, whose dedication contributed to our achievements.

“Beyond our track results, we take pride in participating in broader conversations about sustainable motorsport, fostering diversity within our team, and Lewis’s enduring legacy through the Racing for All programme.

“Although we won’t be competing ourselves in 2024, we’ll be cheering on the series from the sidelines and monitoring the exciting developments at Extreme E.”