Jenson Button’s JBX (formerly JBXE) team is returning for the final Extreme E event next week, as well as the FIA Extreme H World Cup. Driving for the team will be rising rallycross star Tommi Hallman and experienced Extreme E racer Christine Giampaoli Zonca.
Hallman won the 2021 RallyX Nordic SuperCar Lites championship, the Nitrocross NEXT European title in 2022, and the Nitrocross NEXT World Final in 2023. He was also previously a reserve ‘Championship Driver’ in Extreme E.
“I’m absolutely thrilled for this opportunity to join the JBX Team for the FIA Extreme H World Cup,” he said. “After being the Championship driver in Hydro X Prix for the past two seasons of Extreme E, it has been a dream of mine to join the grid as a competitor and now the dream will come true.”
“I’m really looking forward to battling against some of the best drivers on the planet in the unique racing environment that XH and Saudi Arabia offers, I can’t wait!”
‘Christine GZ’ has raced for Xite Energy Racing, Veloce Racing, and Carl Cox Motorsport in Extreme E since 2021. She took a podium finish in her last outing at the Hydro X-Prix last year. She has also competed in Spanish stage rally and Baja rally competitions.
“I’m thrilled to be back racing in the Extreme E and stepping into the future with Extreme H,” said GZ. “I’m even more excited to do this with JBX; Jenson is someone I’ve always admired, so joining his team makes this adventure even more special.
“I’m ready to get back behind the wheel, learn as quickly as possible the car and give it all on track.”
The team, founded by the 2009 Formula 1 world champion, has competed in every Extreme E event since the series’ debuted in 2021. In that season it took four podium finishes from five starts to take third in the standings with Kevin Hansen – who replaced Button as the team’s male driver after the first round of the season – and Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky.
Hansen returned for the second season, racing alongside Molly Taylor in the first round of the season and Hedda Hosaas for the next three before he moved to Veloce Racing for the season finale in Uruguay, being replaced by Fraser McConnell.
Andreas Bakkerud has been the team’s male driver for the last two seasons (Heikki Kovalainen competed in the first race of the 2023 campaign), with Hosaas, Tamara Molinaro, Dania Akeel, and Amanda Sorensen all sharing the female driver position in that time.
“I’m really pleased for the JBX team to remain a part of the series as it breaks new ground into the hydrogen era and to be a part of the FIA Extreme H World Cup,” said Button, “The team has competed in every round of Extreme E since the series began so to continue with this project into its new phase is super exciting and what a fantastic venue to kick things off in Saudi Arabia.
“I would also like to extend a warm welcome to both Tommi and Christine to the JBX team and look forward to seeing how they get on in a few weeks’ time in Qiddiya.”
Extreme E’s ‘Final Lap’ send-off event will take place in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia on October 4-5, with the inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup following on October 9-11.