Legendary DJ Carl Cox’s team, Carl Cox Motorsport, welcomes Timo Scheider and Christine Giampaoli Zonca, known as Christine GZ, into his team’s first Extreme E campaign for Season 3, offering an experienced line-up ahead of his outfit’s first year in the championship.
Extreme E, which is a gender-equal zero-emissions off-road electric vehicle (EV) race series, was created to highlight the devastating effects of the climate crisis and demonstrate positive steps that can be taken to protect our planet. For example in Saudi Arabia, the series joined forces with the Ba’a Foundation to support turtle conservation along the Red Sea coastline.
Carl Cox, dance DJ, said: “We are delighted to welcome Timo and Christine to Carl Cox Motorsport for our first season in the Extreme E series. I followed Extreme E closely last season and could see that this was something that resonated strongly with me.
“When I announced I would launch a team in Extreme E, I said we would take on all that the series throws at us and be ‘in it to win it’. Having Timo and Christine behind the wheel ensures we are in a position to do just that.”
Christine GZ made her full-time debut in 2014, winning her first title in the overall Championship of the Canaries. Two years later, she competed as part of an all-female rally team in the Rally Catalunya.
GZ boasts an impressive off-road resume, notching a seventh-place finish at the infamous Baja 1000 and third in the T2 category of the Andalucía Road to Dakar Rally. In 2020, together with Avatel Telecom and co-driver Edu Blanco, GZ raced in the Andalucía Rally where she came third.
In Extreme E’s first season, GZ raced with XITE ENERGY Racing alongside Oli Bennett. She then made her debut at the 2021 Desert X-Prix in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, where she finished fifth. Season 2 saw GZ sign with Veloce Racing, competing in four of the five rounds with the British squad before transitioning to a Championship Driver for the final X Prix in Uruguay.
Christine GZ, Carl Cox Motorsport, said: “I’m super happy and excited to be part of Carl Cox Motorsport’s first season in Extreme E. I love Carl’s genuine passion for motorsport and his contagious enthusiasm.
“It feels even more electrified to be teaming up with Timo, his experience and attitude are the perfect ingredients for a great partnership. I can’t wait to join this awesome family on track and get started! In Carl’s words: Oh yes, oh yes.”
Formerly an Extreme E Championship driver, Scheider competed in three X Prix for XITE ENERGY Racing in Season 2. He claimed a debut podium alongside Tamara Molinaro, finishing second in the NEOM Island X Prix I.
Scheider has competed in a wide range of motorsport disciplines from single seaters to touring cars and rallycross. Back-to-back DTM titles in 2008 and 2009, a 24 Hours of Le Mans podium in 2010 and World Rallycross podiums in 2017 and 2020. Plus, a victory at the infamous Nürburgring, makes the German perfectly positioned to take on a full-time seat in the championship with Carl Cox Motorsport.
Timo Scheider, Carl Cox Motorsport, said: “I am delighted to sign for Carl Cox Motorsport alongside Christine for Season 3. Carl’s team is super cool and the energy they bring to Extreme E alongside their ambition and enthusiasm for motorsport is really infectious.
“We are hopeful of a strong start right from the outset in NEOM. I’m excited to race in Saudi and get on track again, alongside Christine, for what promises to be an exciting season and I cannot wait to show what I can do this year.”
Carl Cox Motorsport may be the globally acclaimed DJ’s first venture into electric racing, however, Cox is no stranger to the world of motorsport having launched Carl Cox Motorsport officially in 2013 as a multi-discipline outlet for vehicles with two, three and four wheels. Carl himself is a competitive drag racer hitting an eye-watering 251mph over the quarter mile last year.
This venture will enable Carl Cox Motorsport to embark on a whole new chapter as it navigates the sport-for-purpose side of racing and gets to live and breathe the possibilities of sustainable mobility and diversity.
As the Extreme E grid for 2023 takes further shape, you can see how Scheider and GZ get on behind the wheel for Carl Cox Motorsport at the Season 3 opener on 11-12 March.
