What Will the Second Hydrogen Racing World Cup Involve?

Extreme H and the FIA have officially scheduled the second FIA Extreme H World Cup, following the breakthrough debut event last October.

That inaugural race marked a milestone for the energy sector as the world’s first hydrogen-powered motorsport event, demonstrating how fuel cell technology can perform under extreme racing conditions.

A full grid of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles tackled the demanding terrain of Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia, showcasing both resilience and the potential of zero-emission propulsion systems.

The series will now return to Qiddiya City from 29 to 31 October.

Clean, green, racing machines

Alejandro Agag, Founder and Chairman of Extreme H, reflects on Extreme H's debut with great pride.

"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," he says.

“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.”

At the centre of the competition is the Pioneer 25, a 2,200kg car equipped with a next-generation hydrogen fuel cell system designed to push clean energy performance to new extremes.

What will the 2026 edition involve?

The 2026 edition will again adopt a multi-stage format, beginning with Time Trials that determine grid positions before progressing to knockout Head-to-Head duels.

The structure culminates in an eight-car World Cup Final, where high-intensity racing places both drivers and hydrogen systems under sustained pressure.

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.”

The people behind the wheel

Attention will turn to reigning champions Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor of Jameel Motorsport, who secured victory at the inaugural event in 2025.

As hydrogen racing returns to Qiddiya City, the duo will defend their title against a global field, highlighting the increasing competitiveness of this emerging energy-driven discipline.

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!”

Can motorsport change the world?

The previous final delivered a dramatic finish, with just 0.082 seconds separating first and second place, underlining the competitive credibility of hydrogen-powered racing.

In a joint statement, the FIA and Extreme H confirmed that team line-ups and driver pairings for the 2026 event will be announced in the coming months.

Mansour Bin Ali Al-Mokbel, the CEO of Saudi Motorsport Company, believes that the tournament's second instalment will reflect his country's ambition.

“The return of Extreme H to Qiddiya City reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role in shaping the future of global motorsport," he says.

“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," he adds.

"As a cornerstone of this vision, Qiddiya City provides a unique environment where technology, competition and fan experience come together at scale.”