Extreme H Wins “Racecar Powertrain of the Year” at the 2025 World Motorsport Symposium Awards
London, UK, 18 November 2025: Extreme H, the world’s first hydrogen-powered motorsport, has been awarded Racecar Powertrain of the Year at the prestigious 2025 World Motorsport Symposium Awards, recognising the series’ groundbreaking Pioneer 25 hydrogen-electric powertrain.
Judged by a panel of the sport’s most respected technical leaders, including Pat Symonds, Formula 1 Chief Technical Officer, Ulrich Baretzky, former Director of Audi Motorsport Engine Development, and Mark Skewis, Editor of Race Tech, the award honours remarkable innovation, game-changing technology, and motorsport engineering that enables positive environmental impact.
This year’s panel sought to highlight technologies capable of shifting the paradigm for performance and sustainability across the industry. Extreme H’s Pioneer 25 powertrain was selected as the winner for its hydrogen propulsion system designed specifically for high-performance off-road competition. The system, built by Spark Racing Technology, integrates an advanced hydrogen fuel cell designed by Symbio, with performance battery technology from Fortescue ZERO, delivering zero-emission racing without compromising the torque, durability, or dynamic performance demanded by elite motorsport.
The World Motorsport Symposium Awards have a long history of celebrating engineering excellence. Over the years, these accolades have been presented to some of the sport’s most influential innovators, including Adrian Newey, Managing Technical Partner at Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team; Andy Cowell, CEO and Team Principal at Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team; and leading companies such as Performance Friction, Millers Oils, Bosch Motorsport, and Flybrid Systems. Each has regarded the honour as a testament to their contribution to the technical evolution of global motorsport.
Extreme H’s win marks a major milestone for hydrogen technology on the world stage.
Ali Russell, Managing Director of Extreme H, said: “Hydrogen will play a vital role in the future of both motorsport and mobility, and the Pioneer 25 proves that cutting-edge performance can be achieved without carbon emissions. We are incredibly proud to receive this award, especially knowing the calibre of figures who have won it before us.”
Mark Grain, Technical Director of Extreme H, added: “The Pioneer 25 is the result of years of engineering development and a belief that motorsport should push the boundaries of what’s possible. Being recognised by a panel of such distinguished experts validates the ambition behind Extreme H and the potential of hydrogen powertrains worldwide.”
The Pioneer 25 made its competitive debut in 2025, heralding a new era where high-performance hydrogen technology is proven under some of the most testing race conditions across the planet. Its hydrogen fuel cell system and robust electrified drivetrain represents a blueprint for the next generation of sustainable high-performance vehicles.
Extreme H will return to competition in 2026, continuing its mission to inspire innovation and accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable mobility through world-class racing.