P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It still seems odd, doesn’t it, McLaren in off-road racing? And yet this year will be the third that the famously squeaky-clean brand has gone and got its feet — or rather its tires — d…
McLaren’s foray into off-road racing may still seem unusual, but this year marks their third attempt at competing in the dirt. Despite steady progress and a few podium finishes in the past two years, the NEOM McLaren Extreme E team is determined to make a significant leap forward. With the goal of winning the championship, McLaren is pulling out all the stops and trying everything to achieve their objective. The team’s new signing, Cristina Gutierrez, acknowledges the challenges of the championship and emphasizes McLaren’s dedication to conquering them. Joining Gutierrez is Mattias Ekstrom, a seasoned driver with experience in DTM and World Rallycross championships, who believes that consistency and adaptability are crucial in Extreme E. He is confident that their combined experience will contribute to their success. Gutierrez also praises McLaren’s professionalism, attention to detail, and team spirit in Extreme E, and expresses her excitement at being a part of the McLaren family. The team’s sporting director, Gary Paffett, is a familiar face to Ekstrom, with whom he has had intense competition in DTM. However, Ekstrom admits that he trusts Paffett completely when it comes to the sporting side of their collaboration. Ultimately, working closely with Paffett and the rest of the McLaren team is an exciting opportunity for Ekstrom.
