11 January 2023 , 07:00
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British electronic music legend Carl Cox has followed in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton by creating his own Extreme E racing team.
The all-electric racing series is gearing up for its third season having gained a fanbase as one of the more unique motorsports around. On top of the racing, it aims to highlight environmental problems facing the world and champion good causes helping the planet.
It is also far more diverse than most other racing series, with each team fielding one male and one female driver. It has attracted many famous names already, with F1 legends like Hamilton, Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg all running teams, while rally star Carlos Sainz Snr also races under his own name.
Now, DJ Cox is adding his own star power to that list. On Wednesday, he unveiled his own Extreme E entry under his Carl Cox Motorsport brand, which he launched in 2013 as a keen racing enthusiast.
"I'm here to make a difference," said the 60-year-old, who helped to establish the electronic industry in the UK in the 1980s. "To have the opportunity to be part of something so dynamic on four wheels is a dream come true. Racing, like music, is in my blood and I'm going to bring my passion and energy into this series and build something special.
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"Participating in electric racing is new to me but I'm a fast learner and will bring my hard earned know how and experience into the mix at Extreme E. Carl Cox Motorsports is here to take on all comers and we are going to jump straight in. We are in it to win it."
Carl Cox with Nico Rosberg at last year's Island X Prix in Sardinia (Supplied by Extreme E)Cox is no stranger to Extreme E, having visited the paddock in Sardinia last season where he was treated to a lap around the course before playing a DJ set. It appears he caught the bug, as even just a few weeks later he was putting into motion newly-formed plans to enter his own team.
The team's drivers have not yet been revealed, though Alon Shulman has been appointed as team director. He said: "We will be actively supporting the host territories Extreme E environmental projects. My role is to make sure that our team is a 365 operation, not just focused on the race weekends, and to maximise the opportunity that we've been presented with.
"Underpinning everything of course is team boss Carl Cox. He is an exceptional human being who will be fully hands on with sleeves rolled up ensuring that we deliver over and above at all times, on and off the track."
The livery for Carl Cox Motorsport's Extreme E team (Supplied by Extreme E)The 2023 Extreme E season begins in March in Saudi Arabia, while other rounds over the rest of the year will take the paddock to Scotland, Italy and either the Amazon or the USA before the season finale in Chile.
Hamilton's X44 Vida Carbon Racing are the defending champions having seen off the challenge of Rosberg X Racing. The Acciona | Sainz finished in third place ahead of Chip Ganassi Racing and Neom McLaren, while Button's JBXE finished ninth out of the 10 teams.
Extreme E chief executive Alejandro Agag said: "We are incredibly excited to welcome Carl and his Carl Cox Motorsport Extreme E team to the championship. We all know Carl for the superstar he is, but beyond his talents in music it is clear his passion for motorsport runs deep. We can't wait to work with him and his team as we help them on their journey into sustainable racing."