Story By: EXTREME E – FRANCE – Veteran Extreme E drivers Catie Munnings, Kevin Hansen, and Timmy Hansen, along with newcomer Niclas Grönholm, became the latest drivers to take the wheel of the Pioneer 25. Taking place in Fontjoncouse in France, this test marks the latest positive milestone in the development of Extreme H, the world’s first hydrogen motor racing championship, set to debut in 2025.
The Pioneer 25, named to signify the dawn of a new era in motorsport, is the result of extensive research and development process. Since the championship’s announcement in 2022, the Extreme H car has been designed to embody the future of sustainable, high-performance racing. It features cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell technology, supplied by Symbio, the series’ Official Fuel Cell Provider, and delivers a peak output of 400 kW (550 hp), capable of propelling the 2200 kg car from 0-100 kph in just 4.5 seconds.
After months of anticipation, this new slew of drivers got to put the car through its paces, providing invaluable feedback as it gears up for its competitive debut. The car has already undergone an intensive testing program equivalent to three full seasons of racing, ensuring it is race-ready for its inaugural campaign.
The Hansen brothers, alongside Munnings, are veteran drivers in the Extreme E series, with Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E and E.ON Next Veloce Racing respectively, and have all been strong advocates for environmental consciousness in motorsport. Their involvement in the development and testing of the Extreme H Pioneer 25 highlights their commitment to advancing the sport while promoting sustainable innovation.
Reflecting on the first test session, Catie Munnings said, “I’ve been waiting to get behind the wheel of this car ever since I first heard about it, and it did not disappoint! The handling and performance of the car are outstanding, with great improvement on the Odyssey 21. It’s also a thrill to know that we are pioneering something that could change the face of motorsport.”
“It’s really cool to have a championship that’s a world first in using a hydrogen fuel cell. The car is so stable, it flies really well and it was super fun to test it.”
Timmy Hansen echoed Catie’s sentiments, saying: “They’ve taken all the learnings from the Odyssey 21 to build the Pioneer 25. Overall you can tell the car is much better designed and there’s so many more tools for the teams to use to optimise the setup for each track, which could be very interesting.”
“This car is very stable. So now we sit in the middle of the car, like you just have full control of where your wheels are. I think every race car should be built like this.”
Kevin Hansen added, “It’s been my first time in the Pioneer 25 and it has been fascinating to try a new part of the future of motorsport.”
“It’s crazy to think that five years ago we were testing the Odyssey 21 me and my brother and here we are five years later with the brand-new future of the series.
They’ve learned a lot from the Extreme E car. It’s a better chassis, handles better and has a lower centre of gravity.”
The hydrogen fuel cell at the heart of the Pioneer 25 represents a revolution in sustainable energy. Symbio’s 75 kW fuel cell charges and powers the battery pack produced and supported trackside by Fortescue ZERO. This ground breaking approach to energy storage, already in use behind the scenes in Extreme E, will be a defining feature of the Extreme H series, showcasing how motorsport can be a driving force for green technology.
Mark Grain, Technical Director for Extreme H, highlighted the importance of the test: “This test session is another crucial milestone for the development of the Pioneer 25 and the entire Extreme H championship. The feedback from top-tier drivers like Catie, Kevin, Timmy, and Niclas is invaluable as we fine-tune the car’s performance and reliability. Their insights help us ensure that the car is not only fast and competitive but also ready to showcase the full potential of hydrogen technology in motorsport.”
The successful test in France is the latest of many positive steps leading to the official launch of the Extreme H series in 2025. Over the past 12 months of development, the car has completed as many test miles as three seasons of Extreme E, and last month became the first hydrogen racing car to pass FIA crash testing.