Extreme E: What is the new motorsport series and how does it work?

Motorsport fans have a new series to get stuck into with Extreme E - and it's guilt-free.

The series sees all-electric SUVs racing across five remote territories to raise awareness of climate issues.

Each X-Prix features an equal mix of male and female competitors, with Britons Jenson Button and Jamie Chadwick billed as some of the contenders who will take part.

Extreme E will be broadcast live across the BBC.

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What sort of places are they going to?

Deserts, glaciers, rainforests... the places Extreme E visits are wildly different but have a common theme - highlighting the issue of climate change and its impact on various regions around the world.

The series has consulted with ecological experts to ensure the impact of its presence in these areas will be kept to a minimum, while scientists will also travel with the teams to investigate the effects of climate change.

Transportation of people and equipment to each region will be via an ex-Royal Mail cargo ship - the RMS St Helena - which has been modified to act as a 'floating paddock'.

There are also plans to ensure the series leaves a lasting legacy in each of the areas it heads to, including tree-planting, clean-up operations and solar-power initiatives.

The RMS St Helena is a 'floating paddock' for Extreme E

Will there be any spectators at races?

No. Instead, the whole series will be broadcast on television and streamed online, with filming done by drones, not helicopters.

Extreme E will also create documentaries on each of the races' locations to highlight the issues they face.

What's the format?

Qualifying takes place on day one to determine the top three runners, who will progress through to a semi-final, with the top two making the final.

The bottom next three (fourth to sixth) of qualifying go on to the 'crazy race'. The fastest team in that completes the two X-Prix finalists.

The races are over two laps of about 16km, with four teams - all made up of one male and one female driver - going head to head.

Who will be taking part?

W Series champion Jamie Chadwick will drive for the British Veloce team

A variety of drivers from different motor racing disciplines are taking part.

As well as W Series champion Chadwick, 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button will be taking part in his own team. Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and his former rival at Mercedes Nico Rosberg will also run their own teams, with Hamilton employing rally legend Sebastien Loeb and Cristina Gutierrez to do the driving.

"This is a first in motor racing," said Extreme E founder Alejandro Agag. "We are ensuring with our sporting format that drivers of all backgrounds will be able to compete with the same tools at their disposal at every event on the calendar.

"We are striving for equality, and this sporting format is the truest reflection of that goal."

There are nine teams signed up with some significant names involved, including ex-Formula 1 design guru Adrian Newey who, alongside 2019 Formula E champion Jean Eric-Vergne, founded the Veloce Team.

How did it all come about?

Agag, founder of the Formula E series, announced the project in January 2019.

The 49-year-old Spanish politician-turned-businessman says he was motivated to create Extreme E by the successful launch of Formula E, which is now in its seventh year and established on the motorsport calendar.

"Extreme E is only possible because of what happened with Formula E," Agag added.

"People have questioned whether Extreme E can actually happen, but less than they did when we launched Formula E. It has been key to giving us energy, and we've gained credibility."