Andretti United Extreme E extends driver contracts with Catie Munnings and Timmy Hansen
Andretti United Extreme E has signed a contract extension with its current team drivers Catie Munnings and Timmy Hansen for the 2022 Extreme E season.
Britain’s Munnings (23) and Sweden’s Hansen (29) will continue to race with the Anglo-American team for Season 2 of Extreme E following a successful debut season so far with Andretti United.
At Extreme E’s season-opener in Saudi Arabia in April, Andretti United Extreme E finished runner-up following an incredible performance from its drivers. This included a heroic effort from Catie in qualifying when the 23-year-old Briton was forced to drive on three wheels following a puncture.
Senegal was less favorable for the team as Catie and Timmy were hindered by a technical issue which knocked them out of contention for the semi-finals. Despite this setback, Andretti United Extreme E sit fourth in the overall standings and with three rounds remaining the championship title is still wide open!
Next in the calendar for Catie and Timmy will be the Arctic X Prix in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. The objective will be to help raise awareness of the rate at which ice is melting at the poles by racing on land once occupied by the once-mighty glacier, right by its receding snout. Indeed, climate change has led to the Arctic warming at twice the global average. The knock-on impacts of this include accelerated melting of the ice cap, rising sea levels and severe pressure upon animals such as polar bears and ringed seals.
Catie Munnings, Andretti United Extreme E driver: “I’ve loved everything about our Extreme E journey with Andretti United Extreme E so far and I couldn’t ask for a better teammate than Timmy. I’m also delighted to continue racing with Andretti Autosport and United Autosports, two huge names in motorsport, and a team of people I can learn so much from. Extreme E is a series that really can make a difference – it’s more than just racing; we’re helping to highlight climate issues which are affecting everyone’s day-to-day lives. Even if the event in Senegal didn’t go to plan for us, I know that we helped make an impact in other ways including planting mangroves plus meeting and working with the local communities. At the end of the day, we are competing in a sport that we love but the underlying message about climate change is what is most important.”
Timmy Hansen, Andretti United Extreme E driver: “Catie and I have worked really well together this season, she has a similar work ethic to me which is really important when it comes to sharing a car together. Andretti Autosport and United Autosports are legendary names in the industry too so to sign another contract with such a prestigious team is an honour. The timing of Extreme E is perfect and what I’ve learned this year is that we don’t have to turn our lives upside down to help the environment. We all have a responsibility to make a difference and I’m grateful to be part of a series which highlights this. To be able to help share this message throughout 2022 and to continue to be part of something bigger than motorsport is a privilege.”
Roger Griffiths, Andretti United Extreme E Team Principal: “Catie and Timmy have been a fantastic duo this season, they are both very hard working, hungry to learn as much as they can from each other and great team players. They have helped share Extreme E’s key messages about climate change too, always eager to get involved in legacy projects and to help raise awareness to fans and the media about environmental issues facing our planet. They have been exceptional ambassadors for Andretti United Extreme E – both on and off the track – and we look forward to working with them both for the remainder of this season and in 2022 too.”
Richard Dean, Andretti United Extreme E co-owner: “I’m delighted Catie and Timmy are rejoining the team for 2022. They have formed an incredible partnership this year and it feels like they have known each other for a long time. They have both fit into Andretti United Extreme E brilliantly and we couldn’t think of a better pairing to work with. They also share the same values about the environment and sustainability, which is key to the running of this fantastic championship.”
Michael Andretti, Andretti United Extreme E co-owner: “We’ve been very pleased with both Catie and Tommy in the inaugural season of Extreme E and are happy to welcome them back for Season 2. Both have shown to be not only competitive, but also great ambassadors for Andretti United, the sport and its climate change message. The continuity of two returning drivers will allow us to maximize on what we’ve learned this season and continue to build upon our experiences and successes thus far.”
Alejandro Agag, Extreme E CEO: “Congratulations to Andretti United Extreme E for retaining Timmy and Catie for Season 2. Together they have fully embarked in the spirit of Extreme E, demonstrating huge racing heart supporting each other as teammates, and displaying genuine dedication to the wider sustainability mission of the series as we travel around the world. I look forward to seeing this team go from strength to strength and wish them great continued success.”