The NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team revealed its female driver, Emma Gilmour, will miss the Copper X Prix in Chile; Hedda Hosas steps in for the New Zealander, who is recovering from her accident in Sardinia.
Ahead of the final round of the Extreme E 2023 season, the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix, the NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team released an official statement on Tuesday, confirming that female driver Emma Gilmour will miss the venue as she continues to recover from the concussion she sustained last September at the Island X Prix II in Sardinia, Italy.
“Following my incident in Sardinia in September, I’ve had to take the difficult decision to not compete in the final round of the 2023 Extreme E season in Chile next week,” Gilmour, the first female driver to score a podium for the McLaren, asserted.
“I have been making good progress with my recovery but do not feel well enough to compete yet. I’m confident that Hedda will do a good job to help bring the team some well-deserved success.”
“I’m looking forward to supporting the rest of the team on the ground and helping them to end the season on a high.”
Norwegian Hedda Hosas will replace the experienced driver at the wheel of the McLaren XE Odyssey 21 electric SUV, partnering with American male driver Tanner Foust.
“I’m looking forward to competing for the NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team in Chile next week,” Hosas said. “I’m sending all my best wishes to Emma for a speedy recovery and hope I can do her and the whole team proud.”
The 22-year-old acted as Veloce Racing reserve driver in 2021, making his debut with the team in 2022, contesting the Desert X Prix staged in Saudi Arabia, stepping in for injured Christine GZ.
Following her performance, the young racer joined Jenson Button’s JBXE team as a full-time driver for the remainder of Season 2, claiming a podium finish at the NEOM Island X Prix I.
In 2023, she continued to drive for the outfit, competing in four events, scoring a best finish of fifth.
Gary Paffett, Sporting Director, NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team, commented: “Although Emma will not compete for us in Chile, I am glad she is making good progress with her recovery.”
“Throughout her time in Extreme E, Hedda has proven herself to be a strong competitor in the championship, and I am confident she can help the team achieve success to round off our second season in Extreme E.”
NEOM McLaren launched its inaugural Extreme E campaign in 2022, represented by the pairing Gilmour-Foust.
Together, they captured the first podium for the Woking-based squad at the Energy X Prix, Season 2 fifth and final round, crossing the finish line in second place a year ago in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
The team retained its driver line-up for the FIA-sanctioned off-road, all-electric series 2023 season, achieving their best result in the fourth round, finishing second at the Hydro X Prix in Scotland.
At the Island X Prix II, round eight of the 10-round championship, Gilmour suffered a high-speed crash during the weekend’s opening session.
Following the incident, she was immediately transferred to Cagliari Hospital, undergoing additional tests, which revealed a rib fracture and a concussion as a result of a brutal whiplash to her neck.
Ever since, the 44-year-old rally driver has been working on her recovery on home soil.
As of today, McLaren stands in eighth place overall with 45 points.
Season 3 grand finale will be staged in the Atacama Desert, Chile, on 2-3 December 2023, with five teams in contention for the title.
