Jamaican Fraser McConnell began his Extreme E Off-Road Championship season with new team ACCIONA/SAINZ XE with a spectacular win.
In Saturday’s Round 1 final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, McConnell experienced an unfortunate roll as he was staging an epic comeback for a podium finish. Closing in on 3rd place, Fraser encountered a deep rut while turning, ultimately putting his vehicle on its side, unable to finish the race but credited with 4th.
A refocused McConnell was determined for a better result in Sunday’s Round 2. “Sundays are always the best race days. Let’s have a good one!” After placing first and third in the qualifying heats, the Grand Final began with an optimum start by Fraser, who quickly took the lead and remained there until the mandatory Driver Switch. Teammate Laia Sanz defended the lead brilliantly, crossing the finish line in first place to secure the first victory of the year for the team.
After the win, Fraser said he was “Happy for the team, happy for Laia, and everybody back in Jamaica. This is a big, big win. Stepping into this team was such a huge step for me. So many other people could have had the opportunity, but I was chosen by Carlos and the team to be here. They saw something in me, they believed in me, and this gave me so much confidence to dig as deep as I could.”
Team principal Carlos Sainz reacted, “Very positive balance of the weekend. We are second in the Championship. I’m very happy with Fraser McConnell’s debut with the team; Laia also did great. Congratulations to both of them!”
Rounds 3 and 4 of the Extreme E series event are scheduled for July 13 and 14 in Europe.
JMMC congratulates Fraser and teammate Laia for their win.
