Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton is backing a new sport, which will see all-electric SUVs racing across five remote territories to raise awareness of climate issues, “because of its environmental focus”.

The six-time Formula 1 world champion will enter a team in the new Extreme E racing series, which will be broadcast live across the BBC, starting in Dakar, Senegal on 23-24 January 2021.

In what is being billed a “climate-aware sport”, Extreme E racing teams will experience terrains such as deserts, glaciers and rainforests in Senegal, Greenland and Brazil, while highlighting the issues of climate change and its impact on various regions around the world.

The series has consulted with ecological experts to ensure the impact of its presence in these areas will be kept to a minimum, while scientists will also travel with the teams to investigate the effects of climate change.

Transportation of people and equipment to each region will be via an ex-Royal Mail cargo ship – the RMS St Helena – which has been modified to act as a “floating paddock”, according to the BBC.

There are also plans to ensure the series leaves a lasting legacy in each of the areas it heads to, including tree-planting, clean-up operations and solar-power initiatives.

Lewis Hamilton himself will not be racing in Extreme E but will help “guide a dedicated team”

He might not drive the car himself or be across the team day-to-day, but he will be expected to make the top decisions, such as who drives for him and who the team’s engineers are.

Lewis Hamilton told the BBC: “Extreme E really appealed to me because of its environmental focus. Every single one of us has the power to make a difference, and it means so much to me that I can use my love of racing, together with my love for our planet, to have a positive impact.”

Rosa Medea is Life & Soul Magazine’s Chief. She writes about lifestyle including sustainable and green living. She also offers content services to businesses and individuals at Rosamedea.com