Hansen, Taylor returning with Veloce for FIA Extreme H World Cup

Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor will look to retain their FIA Extreme H World Cup crown this October, becoming the first drivers to be confirmed for October's event. 

The pair will drive for Veloce Racing, as they did from the final round of 2022 until the curtailed 2024 season of Extreme H’s predecessor Extreme E. In the latter season Veloce with Hansen and Taylor sat atop of the standings with two third places and two wins before the season was cut short to allow organizers to focus on the impending debut of Extreme H.

“Molly and I have built a strong partnership over the years and coming back to Extreme H together as reigning winners feels great,” said Hansen. “I loved the format of the World Cup. It pushes us to our limits of performance and there are no second chances in any of the stages.

“Coming back to Veloce, a team which feels like home after many successful years together in Extreme E, makes the title defense even more exciting. Being on the start line alongside Molly will already feel like a win with what she has put in to be there. 

“Starting this new chapter together, supporting each other both as team-mates and as parents, with Veloce on our side, makes this year’s FIA Extreme H World Cup particularly special. I can’t wait to be in Qiddiya City to start the journey of our title defense.”

Both drivers have become parents since last year’s competition, with Hansen welcoming a daughter in February and Taylor giving birth to a daughter earlier this month.

"Kevin and I have developed a fantastic partnership, and winning the Extreme H World Cup together last year has only given us even more confidence in what we can achieve,” said Taylor. “It feels very special to be returning to Veloce and bringing that experience with us. 

“This time we’re also embarking on a very different journey together, having just welcomed my first child and Kevin having recently become a dad too.

“Coming back as a new mum will make this next chapter incredibly special, and undoubtedly challenging, but when I get behind the wheel, my ambitions won’t have changed. I want to get back to my best, compete with no limitations and help the team fight at the front from the very beginning. 

“I maintained my training throughout my pregnancy with the goal of racing in Qiddiya City at the end of October and am extremely grateful to have had so much support throughout this journey. I’m incredibly motivated for the challenge ahead."

The pairing of Hansen and Taylor has excellent pedigree in the 'Extreme' series. Aside from their win in last year's inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup – which came with a win in the first multi-car race and then victory in the showpiece 10-car final – Taylor was Extreme E's most successful female driver with eight round wins, while Hansen has the second-most victories of any male driver, behind only two-time champion Johan Kristoffersson, with five.

Veloce Racing – which sat out of Extreme H last year with Hansen and Taylor racing for the QEV-run Jameel Motorsport team – has the second-most wins of any team with five, four behind Nico Rosberg's Rosberg X Racing outfit.

“Kevin and Molly have already proven themselves as a winning combination, both through their results with Veloce in Extreme E and by becoming the inaugural Extreme H World Cup winners in 2025,” said Daniel Bailey, CEO and co-founder of Veloce Media Group. “They bring an exceptional level of experience, knowledge and understanding of what it takes to succeed in this era of hydrogen-powered racing.

“This gives us a very strong foundation as Veloce Racing enters Extreme H, and we’re excited to build on the success we shared in Extreme E. 

“We’re putting all our support behind Molly’s ambition to be back on the grid in Qiddiya City. She has shown throughout her career what she is made of, and the determination she has demonstrated during her pregnancy is a testament to that.”

James Taylor, chief championship officer of Extreme H, added: “As last year’s FIA World Cup winning drivers, we are delighted that Kevin and Molly are returning for 2026. They know what it takes to win in the Pioneer 25, and their experience and competitive spirit as a pairing will make them a formidable entry as we head into the second edition of the FIA Extreme H World Cup.”

The 2026 FIA Extreme H World Cup will take place in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, on October 29-31.