Second Extreme H World Cup Confirmed for Saudi Arabia

Extreme H and the FIA have announced the official dates for the second instalment of the FIA Extreme H World Cup. 

The event in October of 2025 was the world's first hydrogen-powered motorsport event. 

An entire grid of cars featuring hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technology raced through some of the most demanding conditions imaginable in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia.

Now the race is returning to Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia and will run from 29 to 31 October 2026.

Powered by clean energy

Alejandro Agag, Founder and Chairman of Extreme H, says: "The inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup was proof that we could combine the raw ferocity of world-class motor sport with a future powered by clean energy.

“This second chapter, together with the FIA, our partners and the support of our host Qiddiya City, is about accelerating that vision as we continue to redefine the limits of what’s possible, for our pioneering technologies and our boundary-breaking drivers.”

The races are set to be conducted with the Pioneer 25, a 2,200 kg racecar with a first of its kind hydrogen fuel cell system.

The return of Extreme H

The 2026 event will feature the multi-disciplinary format. Time Trials will see teams post precision course runs to secure vital seeding positions, before giving way to a knockout series of Head-to-Head duels.

The competition then builds to its climax through intense wheel-to-wheel racing, culminating in a spectacular eight-car World Cup Final

His Excellency Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, says: “The return of the FIA Extreme H World Cup for its second edition marks another important step in the development of hydrogen-powered motor sport. 

“This competition provides an important platform to test hydrogen fuel cell technology in a demanding, high-performance environment, while supporting the FIA’s wider commitment to innovation, sustainability and safety.

“Equally, its sporting format remains an important part of its identity, with male and female drivers competing together for the same honours. This reflects the FIA’s continued ambition to support competitions that explore new technologies while promoting greater opportunity and inclusion across motorsport.”

Hydrogen champions

The spotlight will fall on inaugural World Cup winners Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor, who represented local outfit Jameel Motorsport in 2025. 

Following their victory at the event last year, the pair will be looking to defend their hard-fought title against an international field of racers as the hydrogen race returns to Qiddiya City. 

Molly Taylor, Winner of the Inaugural World Cup alongside teammate Kevin Hansen, representing Jameel Motorsport, said of the last race: “There were so many unknowns going into the first Extreme H round, the track itself put big demands on the car, and despite its huge size and weight, it felt even more like a race car. It's a very raw motor sport!”

Shaping the future of motorsport

In the last race, the margin between glory and defeat was just 0.082 seconds in a breathtaking photo finish.

In a press release jointly issued by the FIA and Extreme H, the organisations say that full details of the competing teams and driver pairings will be confirmed in the coming months

Eng. Mansour Bin Ali Al-Mokbel, CEO of Saudi Motorsport Company, commented on the second installment of Extreme H: “The return of Extreme H to Qiddiya City reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role in shaping the future of global motorsport.

“This next chapter reflects a shared vision between Saudi Motorsport Company and Extreme H to advance clean energy innovation, sustainable mobility and next-generation racing. As a cornerstone of this vision, Qiddiya City provides a unique environment where technology, competition and fan experience come together at scale.”