Jenson Button has joined XITE Energy Racing to compete in Nitro RX season alongside Oliver Bennett.
Debuting at Lydden Hill in June, the series brings together the fastest off-road EVs with the wildest tracks in rallycross to create a revolutionary new racing format. Button will partner team owner/driver Oli Bennett, with the pair taking to the track in a brace of myenergi-branded FC1-X all-electric race cars.
Capable of hitting an impressive 0-60mph in just 1.4 seconds, the 1,070bhp FC1-X is truly redefining EV capability. Boasting the most power of any car in rallycross, it’s perfectly primed to take on the huge jumps of Nitro RX and demonstrates the game-changing potential of electrification.
Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, commented: “It’s a privilege to welcome Jenson to the XITE Energy Racing fold for this year’s Nitro RX season. Through our sponsorship of the team, we’re looking to establish a revolutionary new racing format and bring the excitement of off-road EV motorsport to the global stage.
“Over the past 12 months, we’ve built a strong relationship with Oli and the XITE Energy team, taking electric racing and our passion for the planet to the masses. Our two brands go hand-in-hand as innovative, forward-thinking businesses looking to drive the future of sustainability.”
“I want to go racing,” added Jenson. “I love racing, I love competing and I want to have fun. I’m looking forward to racing Nitro RX with XITE Energy – a team which has great experience of not just rallycross but also racing electric vehicles
Rallycross is night and day different to Formula 1 and that’s why I love it. I left F1 after 17 years because I wanted to try something new. I’m all about new challenges. I’m a racing driver, not a Formula 1 driver, so new challenges are what I’m all about. I felt I achieved what I needed to in Formula 1 so it’s nice to try different things.”
Oli Bennett, owner/driver at XITE Energy Racing, concluded: “We’re a British team taking on the world. There’s no bigger or better driver to represent the team and what the team stands for than Jenson. We’re hugely excited about what’s to come.
“As well as the circuit experience he brings, one of the things you notice immediately is the level of professionalism. You don’t become a Formula 1 World Champion without knowing how to get the best out of the car, the engineers, the team and everybody around you. I feel, as an organisation, we’ve already benefitted hugely from having him with us.”
The XITE Energy Racing powered by myenergi team will begin their test programme with the FC1-X in the coming weeks.
[Note: The above is as per press release with no edits made]
