The inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup was won by home team Jameel Motorsport on Saturday (11 October), as drivers Molly Taylor and Kevin Hansen made motor sport history in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia.
 
The first ever FIA-sanctioned hydrogen-powered event proved a huge success over three days of competition, as 16 of the world’s finest off-road racers, representing eight teams, scaled the terrains of the Saudi Arabian desert across three different racing disciplines.
 
Driving Pioneer 25 machines equipped with hydrogen fuel cells, each team entered one female and one male driver, both with equal responsibilities behind the wheel.
 
Thursday’s Time Trials were followed by Friday’s Head-to-Head battles, before the Multi-Car race format built towards Saturday's FIA Extreme H World Cup Final.
 
Taylor and Hansen finished second on the opening day of Time Trials before the dynamic duo cemented their charge by winning no fewer than five Head-to-Head races on Friday.
 
A further triumph followed in the opening Multi-Car Heat, which ultimately rewarded Jameel Motorsport with pole position for the Final – a first-ever eight car extreme race.
 
As the lights went green for the historic finale, Hansen flew off the line in fine style and benefitted further following a squabble for second in the early exchanges. The speedy Swede continued to pull clear before handing over the car to the ultra-talented Taylor.
 
The Australian driver never looked back as the Saudi Arabian squad took the chequered flag more than seven seconds clear of the chasing pack.
 
The podium was completed by Carl Cox Motorsport (Klara Andersson/Timo Scheider) and Team EVEN (Hedda Hosås/Ole Christian Veiby) after the two teams came through a highly competitive and dramatic race.

When the sand settled across the Tuwaiq mountains there was reflection on a hugely successful first-ever FIA-sanctioned hydrogen-powered event. The further development of future technologies, accessibility for all and the unique sporting format helped to produce a history making, innovative and ultra-competitive event, culminating in finding the inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup winners.
 
Molly Taylor, Jameel Motorsport, said: “Winning the very first FIA Extreme H World Cup feels incredible. There were so many unknowns competing across three different disciplines, so it has been an intense week. Our team did an amazing job, Kevin (Hansen) always does an amazing job. This one feels like the sweetest trophy I've ever had. We are so grateful to Jameel Motorsport for backing us, we have been feeling all the support of everyone here in Saudi Arabia.”
 
Kevin Hansen, Jameel Motorsport, said: “It feels amazing. Winning the FIA Extreme H World Cup – the world’s first ever FIA hydrogen event, it's an unbelievable feeling. There was so much pressure leading up to that final and to hand over to Molly (Taylor) in the lead, and she pulled an even bigger gap to win the race. Winning it here for the home team, Jameel Motorsport… what a beautiful, beautiful week.”

Emilia Abel, FIA Road Sport Director, said: “It’s been a great week here in Saudi Arabia – many congratulations to Molly and to Kevin and everyone at Jameel Motorsport, they should be very proud to be the first ever FIA Extreme H World Cup winners. The SAMF, Extreme H promoter and all of the teams and drivers have put on a fantastic show. I’d also like to thank the many volunteers and FIA officials who were braving the heat in Qiddiya to make sure the event ran smoothly and safely – altogether they made sure this first step into hydrogen-powered motor sport was a good one.”