Taking place October 9-11, Extreme H retains the small, fan-friendly cadence and mixed-gender lineup familiar from Extreme E, but focuses on hydrogen fuel-cell racing, placing sustainable technology at the center of a new pioneering program.
It is fitting that such an ambitious and pioneering occasion is staged in the city of Qiddiya, where similar adjectives apply. Qiddiya City is a flagship project of Saudi Vision 2030, built around sports, entertainment, culture and living, combining motorsport with an eSports and gaming district, golf courses and theme parks to ultimately transform the race weekend into a destination experience.
While Extreme H takes place on new off-road courses, Qiddiya City’s Speed Park track, which is projected to open in 2027, hints at a longer game. It will include 21 corners, 80 garages, a projected top speed of more than 325 km/h (202 m/h) and the world’s first 70-metre “blade” – a cantilevered Turn 1 that threads the circuit through the surrounding attractions. The Speed Park track will be constructed to host blue-ribbon categories, including future Formula 1 races, and underlines the direction of travel for the Saudi motorsport scene.
Extreme H in action
Photo by: Extreme H
Extreme H is the next stop on this exciting journey. Time trials, head-to-head duels, and multi-car races provide preliminary challenges before the eight-car, winner-take-all World Cup final. These short sessions are designed to reward quick adaptability as well as full speed. The winners of each session are awarded 10 points, the runners-up receive nine points, and so on, with bonus points also awarded for staying alive throughout the event.
Considerable attention is being paid to the car, focusing on unprecedented sustainability technology. The 400kW Pioneer 25 is a purpose-built hydrogen fuel-cell off-roader with 200kW e-motors front and rear, a Symbio fuel cell and acceleration that puts it in the frame for short-burst multi-car racing.
The car is designed to excel on the Qiddiya City Course – a technical and high-profile circuit set beneath the impressive Tuwaiq mountains and described by Extreme E and Extreme H Chief Championship Officer James Taylor as “the world’s best off-road racetrack”.
The 3.021km loop is jump-heavy and speed-sensitive, offering precise landings, confident braking on crests and clean rhythm through snaking mid-sectors. The Pioneer 25’s advanced FOX suspension, instant torque and sophisticated energy/thermal management will help teams make jumps, stabilize landings and carry speed where hesitation might have cost them.
There will be no shortage of star power as the eight teams prepare to tackle this unique challenge. Team Hansen fields Andreas Bakkerud and Katie Munnings; Kristoffersen Motorsport is represented by Johan Kristoffersen and Mikaela Ohlin-Kottulinski; Carl Cox Motorsport duo Timo Scheider and Clara Anderson; And Team Monaco-powered JBX brings Tommy Hallman and Christine GZ. The local title is Jameel Motorsport, the first Saudi team on the grid, with Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor forming a proven, title-winning partnership.
extreme h details
Photo by: Extreme H
The Extreme H World Cup will provide a glimpse into the future of not only sustainable racing but also motorsports in Saudi Arabia. Following the arrival of Formula E in 2018, the Dakar Rally in 2020 and Formula 1 in 2021, Qiddiya City is set to represent the next major milestone for motorsport in the Kingdom, starting with Extreme E and now Extreme H.
In this broader context, Extreme H feels like a marker of where the game is headed. Hydrogen racing slots naturally fit into Saudi Arabia’s broader shift towards sustainable, tech-based events, and Qiddiya City’s “Play” concept gives that shift a physical home; Where motorsport sits alongside culture, entertainment and everyday life.
It also signals a country’s intention to shape the future of global racing. If the Extreme H proves its concept on Saudi soil, it will underscore a simple point: innovation and ambition can share the same track, and Qiddiya City is designed to make that convergence feel permanent.
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