As a car manufacturer, McLaren is a relatively new brand. They might have a racing pedigree stretching all the way back to the 1960s, but their road car operations only started in 1992 with the legendary F1 – and they wouldn’t become a fully-fledged manufacturer until 19 year later when they launched their first series production model, the MP4-12C.

The Woking-based brand has a very rich racing history, being Formula 1’s second most successful team behind Ferrari, and has also competed in a number of other series, such as Can Am, Indycars, and GT racing. So far, all its endeavors have been on tarmac. However, that’s about to change, as the company announced they will be competing in the all-electric off-road Extreme E racing series.

See Also: McLaren Could Be Coming To Formula E As A Competitor In 2022

While it may not be readily apparent, McLaren does actually have experience with electric vehicles. Aside from their P1 and Artura hybrid road cars, the company has been a battery supplier for both generations of Formula E‘s single-seat race cars. That being said, like all teams, McLaren will use the Odyssey 21 electric off-roader, but they look to use their time in the series as a learning experience in addition to the competition.

The team will be run under the McLaren Racing umbrella by both existing personnel from outside the Formula 1 program as well as other specialists. As with all teams competing in Extreme E, they are limited to four mechanics and one engineer at each event for the car and its two drivers. McLaren will be joining Nico Rosberg’s Rosberg X Racing, Lewis Hamilton’s X44, and Jenson Button’s JBXE to become the fourth team in the series with Formula 1 tie-ins.

Read More: Prince Williams Gets Behind The Wheel Of Extreme E Off-Roader In Scotland

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said: “From the moment Extreme E was announced we have been following the progress of the series closely. Our attention was immediately drawn by the innovative format of this motorsport platform, in particular the ability it gives us to accelerate and boost our own overarching sustainability agenda, which shares the same priorities of decarbonization, waste reduction, diversity and equality.”

“While Formula 1 will always remain at the center of our world, like INDYCAR and esports, our entry into Extreme E is additive to the McLaren Racing franchise and will complement and help support all our programs. We will be competing against big names we’re very familiar with from F1 and INDYCAR but, like all series we compete in, the competition objective is clear: we are there to win.”