From Saudi Arabia to Snetterton, this weekend marks another action-packed chapter in both Extreme E and the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship. 

That, plus the latest from Formula 1 launch season, in your weekly ‘Up to Speed’! 

Extreme E – Desert X-Prix 

This weekend marks the return of Extreme E, as Season 2 of the Electric Odessey kicks off in Neom, Saudi Arabia with the Desert X-Prix 

Saudi Arabia marks the start of a five-event, ‘around the world’ trip for the award-winning category, with further confirmed dates in Italy, Chile and Uruguay, as well as a to-be-confirmed event in either Scotland or Senegal. 

Not only does ‘XE’ highlight the sustainability issues that the world faces, such as climate change, desertification, such as plastic pollution, for which they were awarded Motorsport UK’s Environmental Sustainability Award, but the on-track action is set to be as closely fought as ever in 2022. 

Reigning champions Molly Taylor and Johan Kristofferson will be out to retain their title for RXR, but there are fresh challengers to contend with, not least Formula 1 outfit McLaren and trailblazer Emma Gilmour, the Woking-based outfit’s first-ever female driver. 

Girls on Track UK Ambassador Catie Munnings will be continuing her journey in Extreme E with Genesys Andretti United Extreme E team; after finishing runner-up to RXR in Season 1, they will be aiming to go one better in their second campaign aboard the St. Helena. 

The Desert X-Prix is available to watch on Sunday 20th February at 12pm on ITV1, BBC iPlayer, Discovery+, and Eurosport. 

Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship – Snetterton Stage Rally 

With two events left to run, the title battle is heating up nicely in the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship as Snetterton hosts the first chapter of the run-in this weekend. 

It’s almost neck-and-neck at the championship summit between leader Neil Roskell (Fiesta R5) and Barry Morris (Darrian GT-R), the former arriving on a high after his first win last time out at Cadwell Park. 

Dropped scores mean it’s all to play for between the pair, but the competition will be fierce as grids of over 90 cars including R2 and R5 machinery, plus classics including Escorts, Vauxhall Novas and Chevettes descend on the Norfolk venue. 

GT racer Frank Bird – son of Paul – has won three of the four rounds thus far alongside his racing commitments, but will again be absent this weekend.  

Be sure to follow online at MSN Rally Championship on Facebook and follow @MSNRallyChamp on Twitter for all the latest. 

Tickets for the event are still available here. 

Formula 1 launch season continues… 

The grid continues to take shape ahead of the new Formula 1 World Championship season as another raft of liveries and new-generation cars have been unveiled by the teams this week. 

Alpha Tauri kicked off the week with their challenger for the 2022 season, the AT-03, with Williams following suit the next day, showcasing the FW44 and its striking new livery.  

Ferrari unveiled the innovative-looking F1-75, aptly named in reference to the Prancing Horse’s 75th Anniversary. Mercedes then lifted the covers on the W13, including a return to their traditional ‘Silver Arrows’ livery. 

Pre-season testing commences next week from Wednesday 23rd February to Friday 25th February.