Molly Taylor wins inaugural Extreme E championship

Australian Molly Taylor will be heading off to the Dakar Rally with a new title under her belt after becoming the inaugural Extreme E champion along with driving partner Johan Kristoffersson.

(L to R) Nico Rosberg, Molly Taylor and Johan Kristoffersen, after wininning a round of the Extreme E. Source: RXR Rosberg

WATCH extended one-hour highlights from every stage of the 2022 Dakar Rally - January 2-15 (AEDT) - EXCLUSIVE and FREE on SBS and SBS On Demand.

It is the Taylor's first major title in five years after winning the Australian Rally Championship back in 2016.

Extreme E is an FIA-sanctioned off-road racing series that uses electric SUVs to race in remote parts of the world, raced as part of mixed teams, who share driving duties equally while racing in locations that are picked to raise awareness of different aspects of climate change.

In a dramatic finish to the series, the Rosberg team won the first title on a countback having tied with Cristina Gutierrez and Sebastian Loeb, who were racing in the Lewis Hamilton-owned X44 car.

"It feels amazing to be the first-ever championship winners of Extreme E," Taylor said.

"This season has been brutal, racing in some of the most remote parts of the world in truly extreme conditions, but we’ve worked together as a team and we’re delighted with this result.

"The nerves were definitely there today but Johan and I kept our eyes on the final prize, and the whole team effort across many months has brought us to this point today.”

Taylor is the first and only female driver to win the Australian Rally Championship. She will participate in her first Dakar Rally when the 13-stage event embarks from the Saudi Arabian city of Ha'il on 2-15 January, where drivers will journey through a desert the size of France in the Arabian Peninsula.

Nico Rosberg, F1 driver and team owner, paid tribute to Taylor and Kristoffersson.

"The team has worked so hard all season and performed consistently, racing in some of the world’s most remote locations. To be champions is such an honour," Rosberg said.

"A massive congratulations to our drivers, Molly Taylor and Johan Kristoffersson, who have been excellent all season.

"We came into Extreme E to raise awareness of climate change, and promote sustainability, but also as a racing team, we want to win and so we will remember this feeling forever."

WATCH extended one-hour highlights from every stage of the 2022 Dakar Rally - January 2-15 (AEDT) - EXCLUSIVE and FREE on SBS and SBS On Demand.