STARD joins Extreme H field; signs Sorensen, O'Donovan

STARD is the latest team to be announced for the FIA Extreme H World Cup and final Extreme E rounds, with America's Amanda Sorensen and British Rallycross talent Patrick O'Donovan (main image) as its drivers.

STARD, which stands for Stohl Advanced Research and Development, has been at the forefront of alternative technology development for motorsport for a number of years. It produced the first FIA-compliant rallycross car, the HIPER MK1 4WD in 2017, then three years later provided the powertrains for the short-lived World Rallycross support series Projekt E.

More recently it has worked with Ford on the latest iteration of the 'SuperVan'. The SuperVan 4, and subsequently the SuperVan 4.2, has enjoyed success at Pikes Peak and the Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb, as well as setting fifth-fastest time round the Top Gear track, behind only a Harrier jump jet, the McMurtry Spéirling, the 2004 Renault R24 Formula 1 car, and the Lotus T125 open-wheel track special.

Now it is expanding its horizons into the hydrogen arena for the first time with its participation in the world’s first hydrogen-powered motorsport competition.

“With STARD being such an innovative company I think it’s a perfect match for us to be on the grid of Extreme H,” said Manfred Stohl, founder of Stohl Group GmbH. “Combine that with Amanda Sorensen and Patrick O'Donovan, two very gifted and young drivers and you have the recipe to something great.”

Sorensen returns after competing in Extreme E in 2023 for Chip Ganassi Racing, and at last year’s Hydro X Prix for JBXE. The Las Vegas native claimed podiums in just her second and third race weekends, with third place finishes at the Hydro X Prix and first Island X Prix alongside RJ Anderson for the GMC Hummer EV-backed Ganassi team. Outside of Extreme E, she became the youngest female driver to claim a Formula Drift podium in 2024, and has also competed in Nitrocross' Side-by-Side category. 

“I’m thrilled to return to Extreme E and to race with the STARD team for the first time,” said Sorensen. “Joining such a respected organization is a huge opportunity, and I’m eager to give it my all.

“I’ve also been eagerly awaiting the launch of Extreme H, and to be among the first drivers chosen is a true honor. It feels like the start of something historic, and I couldn’t be more excited to help showcase this new era of motorsport.”

O’Donovan meanwhile claimed Motorsport UK's Young Driver of the Year accolade and the RX150 Rallycross Championship in 2021. The following year he won twice in RX2e, then took third in the 2023 European Rallycross Supercar standings, winning that championship in 2024.

After starting last year's shortened Extreme E season as a reserve driver, O'Donovan made his debut in the series for Jimmie Johnson's Legacy Motor Club outfit at the Hydro X Prix in Scotland, taking a best finish of fifth alongside Gray Leadbetter in the first half of the double-header weekend.

“I’m buzzing to be stepping into a whole new era of motorsport with STARD,” he said. “First up is the final-ever round of Extreme E and a car I’ll truly be sad to say goodbye to after all the battles it’s been through. 

“But the exciting part is what comes next. Together we’ll be making history as we transition into the world’s first ever hydrogen racing category.”