Fraser McConnell (right) and Team X44 teammate Cristina Gutierrez.
Fraser McConnell’s team X44 Vida Carbon Racing finished fourth overall as this season’s Extreme E championship ended with the final two rounds taking place at the Copper X Prix in Antofagasta, Chile on Saturday and Sunday.
“I can’t put into words how much this year with team X44 has meant to me. First of all, thank you to Lewis Hamilton for allowing me this opportunity to race amongst some of the best and most experienced drivers and teams in the world!” McConnell said in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
Saturday’s round nine saw McConnell and his teammate Cristina Gutierrez of Spain advance to the final as qualifying heat winners before finishing third in the final, more than three seconds behind winners Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinski and Johan Kristoffersson of Rosberg X Racing and runners up Laia Sanz and Mattias Ekstrom of Acciona I Sainz XE Team.
Sunday’s tenth and final round also saw X44 Vida Carbon Racing also securing a podium finish in third despite failing to finish the final which was won by Molly Taylor and Kevin Hansen of Veloce Racing with Ahlin-Kottulinski and Kristoffersson finishing second.
Overall, McConnell’s team finished with 121 points to place fourth on the final Extreme E Championship season three table.
Rosberg X Racing finished with 182 points for their second Extreme E title while Acciona I Sainz XE Team (171 points) and Veloce Racing (155 points) rounded out the top three.
In addition to last weekend, team X44 also secured podium finishes at the Hydro Prix in Scotland in May, the Island Prix in Italy in September
“This year definitely had its ups and downs but I can say for certainty that the entire team were always giving our absolute everything to get the car on top. We were good enough to get it on top a couple times along with some podium finishes but the cool part was that even when it didn’t go to plan, everyone was still able to keep their spirits up and make the most of every situation that presented itself with a smile on their face,” he said.
“For everyone back home, thank you for always supporting me through this journey! Being able to fly the Jamaican flag is something that I will always be proud to represent and that will never change,” McConnell concluded.
The 25-year-old was recently chosen as a nominee for the RJR Gleaner Sports Foundation National Sportsman of the Year award.
Fraser McConnell and Laia Sanz Secure Second Place at Hydro X Prix Grand Final
Jamaican Fraser McConnell and driving partner Laia Sainz delivered a spectacular performance at the Hydro X Prix, securing a hotly contested second-place finish in Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland, during Round 4 of Extreme E on July 14th. This achievement followed their impressive second-place finish during the qualifying round on Saturday.
Opening the Round 4 Grand Final, E.ON Next Veloce’s Kevin Hansen stormed into an early lead ahead of ASXE’s Laia Sanz. Hansen built a lead of 10 seconds by the time the teams approached the Switch Zone. After the driver change, E.ON Next Veloce’s Molly Taylor set off with an advantage of 8.8 seconds as ASXE’s Fraser McConnell looked to close the gap heading into lap three.
Racing until the finish line, ASXE’s McConnell was all over the rear bumper of Taylor’s E.ON Next Veloce car in the closing moments but was unable to make the crucial move for the win, finishing just 0.65 seconds behind. The podium finish places McConnell and Sanz second in the championship table.
Opening the Grand Final, E.ON Next Veloce’s Kevin Hansen took an early lead, closely followed by ASXE’s Laia Sanz. RXR and Andretti Altawkilat were in pursuit, with Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky and Catie Munnings closely contesting the third spot.
Hansen built a commanding 10-second lead by the time the teams approached the Switch Zone. RXR suffered a puncture, allowing Catie Munnings in the Andretti Altawkilat ODYSSEY 21 to pass during the second lap, although Munnings picked up a time penalty for dropped flags.
After the driver change, E.ON Next Veloce’s Molly Taylor set off with an 8.8-second advantage as ASXE’s Fraser McConnell aimed to close the gap. Despite a valiant effort, McConnell was unable to overtake Taylor, who held on to secure a clean sweep for E.ON Next Veloce at the Hydro X Prix. Andretti Altawkilat claimed the final podium spot.
McConnell and Sanz’s consistent performance throughout the weekend has solidified their position as strong contenders in the championship, currently holding second place in the overall standings. This achievement highlights their skill and determination as they continue to compete at the highest level in Extreme E.
Fraser McConnell and ASXE make podium in Round Three of the Hydro X Prix in Scotland
The European leg of Extreme E Season 4 kickstarted in spectacular fashion at the Hydro X Prix in Scotland on July 13-14. The dramatic Round Three saw impressive performances, with Jamaica’s Fraser McConnell and his teammate Laia Sainz driving the ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team (ASXE) to a commendable second place finish.
McConnell was elated with their performance, sharing, “We managed to get second, amazing to be on the podium, so happy with the result, for the team, they worked so hard. The car was amazing. We had the pace in the final with the fastest lap to try and do something. Laia did an amazing job, incredible start and I’m so proud of her.”
Sainz echoed McConnell’s sentiments, adding, “I think we can be really happy. Usually, the starts I’m not so good but today I think we did a good job for us, so happy tomorrow (Sunday). Let’s go.”
In Heat 2, Timmy Hansen of Andretti Altawkilat led into turn one, closely followed by ASXE, NEOM McLaren XE, and RXR. RXR faced a setback after a spin and a dropped flag penalty, allowing NEOM McLaren XE to overtake ASXE for second place. However, a 10-second penalty for NEOM McLaren XE's Cristina Gutiérrez after a dropped Waypoint flag allowed ASXE to regain their position.
Catie Munnings of Andretti Altawkilat held on to claim victory in Heat 2.
In Heat 1 SUN Minimeal’s Timo Scheider made contact with E.ON Next Veloce’s Taylor while vying for the lead, resulting in an early 10-second penalty for SUN Minimeal. Despite leading at the Switch Zone, SUN Minimeal faced further challenges, including a puncture that sent Legacy M.C.'s Gray Leadbetter to the back of the pack.
A fierce battle between E.ON Next Veloce’s Kevin Hansen and JBXE’s Andreas Bakkerud saw contact and subsequent spins, but Hansen eventually secured the overtake. SUN Minimeal’s Klara Andersson finished first but suffered a dramatic roll at the finish line and a time penalty, promoting E.ON Next Veloce to the top spot in the heat.
Marsch: Canada 'not satisfied' after reaching Copa America quarters
Jesse Marsch and his Canada team are not satisfied with their achievements so far after reaching the Copa America quarter-finals.
A goalless draw with 10-man Chile on Saturday was enough to send Marsch's side into the last eight.
Canada finished second in Group A behind Argentina, and will now face either Venezuela, Ecuador or Mexico in the quarters.
The Reds became the third team from outside CONMEBOL to reach the knockout rounds in their first Copa America appearance after Mexico (1993) and Honduras (2001), but former Leeds United boss Marsch is not done yet.
"We are not satisfied. The group is not satisfied. They want to keep going," Marsch said.
"They know, no matter who our next opponent is, it will be a difficult match. But they believe in themselves. We're excited for this next challenge.
"I'm challenging them to grow and get better, to be more savvy professionals, more mature players.
"I've been incredibly impressed by them, from the first training session. I'm enjoying being their coach. I'm proud of this accomplishment. But again, we're not satisfied."
With their numerical advantage, Canada kept Chile at arm's length at Inter&Co Stadium, restricting the two-time Copa America champions to just 0.52 expected goals (xG).
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