Copper X-Prix promises gold in Extreme-E 2023 finale

Extreme E – Copper X-Prix, Antofagasta, Chile, December 2-3

Chile will host the Extreme E season finale with five teams vying for the championship, at the end of the electric-powered series’ third campaign. Sainz XE leads the way on 139 points, with 2021 champion Rosberg X Racing three behind. Veloce, Chip Ganassi and defending winner Team X44, founded by Lewis Hamilton, also have an outside chance with 58 points left available at the end of a tight season.

It has also been the most wide open campaign to date, with a record number of teams fighting for the championship on the final weekend. There was a different victor in each of the opening four rounds, before Nico Rosberg’s outfit ended a winless start with two victories in the season’s first visit to Sardinia. When the all-electric series returned to the Italian island, a win for Sainz consolidated its championship lead ahead of Extreme E’s visit to Chile.

Named the Copper X-Prix, inspired by the area’s history with copper mining, drivers will race through the Atacama Desert on a high-altitude circuit that features fast and slow-speed corners with many elevation changes. The event was won by X44 last year, but this season there will be two races to negotiate, which creates opportunity for plenty of twists in the championship fight. Given the layout, it may favour Rosberg’s team which boasts record five-time Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson. Then again, Sainz XE has an ace all-rounder up his sleeve in the form of Mattias Ekström, so there really isn’t a lot to separate them.

Meanwhile, the fight at the bottom is also tight. Cupra and Andretti are separated by just four points in a battle for sixth, while McLaren, JBXE – the only team without a podium this season – and Carl Cox Motorsport have five points between them in the bottom three places. Whatever happens, it promises to be a thrilling season end where a new Extreme E champion may be crowned.

Formula 1 – Las Vegas Grand Prix
Las Vegas Strip Circuit, US, November 16-18

F1 hits Sin City for the ultimate party weekend. Celebrities will gather as Max Verstappen and co race down the Las Vegas Strip for the hotly anticipated Saturday night race and penultimate round of the 2023 season.

WRC – Rally Japan
Aichi Prefecture, Japan, November 16-19

The WRC season ends in Japan where Toyota will complete a dominant year. It has already clinched a third consecutive manufacturers’ title, while Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä could be crowned for a second drivers’ championship. The final round features 189.3 miles of asphalt stages in central Japan.

Macau Grand Prix
Guia Circuit, Macau, November 16-19

Formula 3 cars end a four-year absence from the historic Macau Grand Prix. Won in the past by rising stars such as Michael Schumacher, F3 drivers will once again race around one of the world’s best street circuits that looks out over the South China Sea.

Motorcycle Live
NEC Birmingham, November 18-26

The UK’s largest motorcycle show returns. Manufacturers such as Yamaha, Ducati and Honda are present as visitors are treated to talks, challenges and static exhibits. People can also go adventure riding inside the arena amid the ultimate biking get-together.

MotoGP – Valencian community Grand Prix
Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia, Spain, November 24-26

Ricardo Tormo once again stages the final round, after an enthralling title fight in 2023. Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi have all battled at the top while their Ducati team leads the constructors’ standings. It is the last race before a fuel regulation change in 2024.

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