The starting drivers are confirmed. Extreme E has kicked off the second season of the category in 2022. However, Tamara Molinaro’s role is extremely important: To be highly qualified to jump into the ODYSSEY 21 when needed, as that is her job as a Championship driver.
The time for her official debut came and Molinaro made the most of it. Unfortunately, Klara Andersson tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the first round of the campaign in Saudi Arabia, so she was unable to get behind the wheel of Xite Energy Racing. That’s where Tamara stepped into the limelight during the Desert X Prix weekend.
Feelings were mixed before racing over the NEOM desert, as the driver claimed that a part of her wanted to jump madly and celebrate when she received the news, but at the same time, felt bad for Andersson and her unfortunate situation. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity in Extreme E for a long time,” Molinaro pointed out.
“… When you know you only have one chance to show yourself and others what you can do, it’s not easy to handle the pressure on your shoulders. However, I think at the same time, the hunger building up inside your belly while watching others do what you love, takes it all away and transforms stress into motivation”, she continued.
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Molinaro did what it took to join the group as soon as possible, where she developed a great relationship with Oliver Bennett, her teammate at Xite Energy Racing, and the rest of the team’s crew. The season got off to a good start, with the electric car responding to the tense situation of qualifying.
“I think we did a great job, considering it was my first time driving in Extreme E on a competitive environment, especially with my lack of experience with the ODYSSEY 21 and the possibilities of what we could do,” explained the driver.
Thanks to the incredible talent she showed, it will surely be a matter of time before Tamara Molinaro’s capabilities as a starting driver in Extreme E will be trusted 100%.
Written by | Ronald Ortega
