The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has officially partnered with Extreme H to stage the first-ever hydrogen-powered World Cup, marking a historic moment in motorsport’s sustainability journey.
The inaugural event will take place in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, from 9th to 11th October, less than a week after Extreme E stages a one-off race to signal its transition from electric to hydrogen power.
A New Era for Motorsport Sustainability
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized that this step reflects a broader vision for motorsport’s future:
“The FIA is committed to supporting competitions that set new benchmarks for sustainability, innovation, and equality. This agreement for the FIA Extreme H World Cup demonstrates our belief in hydrogen’s potential as a key part of motorsport’s evolution.”
Extreme H will move beyond the transitional role hydrogen played in Extreme E—where it powered charging systems and operational infrastructure—to now becoming the backbone of the entire championship. From the race cars to the paddock and hospitality, hydrogen will fuel every element of the competition.
Carrying Forward Equality and Innovation
In line with its predecessor, Extreme H will continue to enforce gender parity, requiring every team to field both a male and female driver. This principle, first introduced in Extreme E, remains a cornerstone of the series’ identity.
Alejandro Agag, founder and chairman of Extreme H, highlighted the symbolic significance of the first venue:
“Qiddiya City is the ideal launchpad for the FIA Extreme H World Cup, a new frontier for motorsport that embodies purpose, innovation, and entertainment. More than just a race venue, it’s a statement of intent.”
What Comes Next
The original plan was for Extreme H to receive full FIA World Championship status in 2026, though confirmation of that timeline is still pending. In the meantime, further announcements around sporting formats, teams, drivers, and partners are expected in the coming weeks.
With Saudi Arabia already positioning itself as a hub for futuristic sports and entertainment projects, Qiddiya City offers a fitting backdrop for motorsport’s most ambitious sustainability experiment.
The Extreme H World Cup represents more than just another race—it signals motorsport’s determination to push beyond electrification into a hydrogen-powered future, blending high-performance racing with climate-conscious innovation.
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IMAGE: EXTREME H
