Extreme E: Mark Grain appointed as Technical Director
–Press Release–
Extreme E, the ground-breaking electric off-road racing championship, announced the appointment of Mark Grain in the newly-created role of Technical Director.
With his extensive experience in the motorsport industry, including almost three decades across multiple racing disciplines at McLaren, Grain brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the series.
Grain has enjoyed an impressive motorsport journey with plenty of winning pedigree, particularly at McLaren, with notable successes including a Formula One title, victory at the Le Mans 24 hours and IndyCar race wins – where he held numerous technical and operational roles. Most recently as Sporting Director, Grain oversaw the creation of the NEOM McLaren Extreme E team and led the team in its first season of racing in 2022.
Moreover, Grain’s arrival coincides with the upcoming launch of Extreme H as plans for the world’s first hydrogen motorsport championship gather pace.
Grain’s appointment as Technical Director further reinforces Extreme E’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and performance, and demonstrates the series’ ambitious plans for future development.
Utilizing his extensive experience in both Formula One and endurance racing, Mark will play a pivotal role in shaping the technical direction of the championship and ensuring the teams’ compliance with regulations.
Known for its pioneering spirit, Extreme E has revolutionized the motorsport world by bringing exciting electric racing action to some of the most challenging and remote corners of the planet. By racing in environmentally sensitive areas, the series aims to raise awareness about climate change while promoting the adoption of clean energy solutions.
Reflecting on his new role as Technical Director at Extreme E, Mark said: “Having experienced Extreme E first hand as a competitor and loved every minute, when the chance came to join the Championship, I jumped at it.
“Extreme E continues to evolve and break new ground in motorsport, having already established many ‘firsts’ which make its appeal so unique. The opportunity to play a part in its future is incredibly exciting, especially with the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell racing.
“We don’t want to sit back; we want to continue to push and evolve. Extreme E already has a track record of challenging common assumptions and ways of going racing, and I share the strong ambition to maintain that momentum.”
Alejandro Agag, CEO of Extreme E, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Mark to Extreme E as our new Technical Director. His relentless pursuit of excellence has earned him a stellar reputation in the industry and this, combined with his unrivalled expertise and passion for sustainable motorsport, make him the ideal candidate for this new role.
“We believe his expertise will be invaluable in shaping the technical future of Extreme E and driving innovation within the championship, while there will also be significant focus on preparations to launch Extreme H, a world-first hydrogen motorsport series.”
James Taylor, Chief Championship Officer at Extreme E, said: “We look forward to Mark bringing his expertise and experience into this new role. The fact that Mark has run McLaren’s Extreme E team is a major benefit for us, as he appreciates both the technical and sporting demands of a team and the Championship. Extreme E has always pushed the boundaries since its inception, and Mark’s appointment as Technical Director only further reinforces that.
“Although already into our third season, there is a lot more potential to be unearthed in our series and so Mark’s arrival into the Extreme E team is an important one. Mark will work closely with our experts from Spark Racing Technology and our fuel cell partner to ensure that the Extreme H car and associated technology provides our teams with the best possible car to race.”
Grain will take up his new role as Extreme E Technical Director immediately, with his first championship event, the Island X Prix in Sardinia, set to take place on 8-9 July.