Following some familiarisation training with British race driver Catie Munnings, Prince Albert drove the single-seater racing car, ‘the Pioneer 25’, down from the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, through the principality's iconic streets which play host to the world’s top drivers in Formula One and Formula E, to the Hotel Hermitage. Following His arrival, he officially opened the prestigious annual gathering, which sets the stage for global discussions on the pivotal role of hydrogen in achieving net-zero ambitions.
The Sovereign Prince, renowned for his steadfast advocacy for environmental sustainability, marked the drive as a historic demonstration of hydrogen's potential to revolutionise clean mobility.
Emphasising His dedication to advancing renewable energy solutions, Prince Albert II explained: "Hydrogen represents an important pathway to a sustainable future, offering solutions to reduce emissions across multiple sectors.
“It was my pleasure to be one of the first to try out this remarkable race car, here in Monaco, a country which is proud to host the most iconic racing across Formula One and Formula E. As Extreme H showcases, innovation in motorsport can be a driving force for global progress, inspiring action far beyond the racetrack.”
Extreme H, starting in 2025, is the world’s first hydrogen-powered motorsport championship, pioneering hydrogen technologies to inspire innovation and sustainable solutions. Building on the success of its predecessor, the electric racing series Extreme E, Extreme H demonstrates the capabilities of hydrogen and seeks to accelerate the integration of clean energy in sports, mobility and beyond.
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme H, expressed his gratitude for the Prince's involvement, saying: "Prince Albert II’s leadership in environmental causes inspires us all. His support for Extreme H reinforces the message that hydrogen innovation can unlock solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Today’s symbolic drive through Monaco is a testament to hydrogen's transformative potential."
John Rossant, Founder and President of the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance, congratulated H.S.H. Prince Albert II, saying, “The steadfast support of His Serene Highness for the work of the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance has been vitally important and underscores the Principality’s emergence a global hub of activity around renewable hydrogen.”
The Pioneer 25Extreme H’s Pioneer 25 race car is designed in collaboration with leading hydrogen and motorsport innovators, showcasing groundbreaking technology intended to redefine racing and inspire its adoption across industries. From its zero-emissions capabilities to its high-performance design, the vehicle embodies Extreme H’s vision of a cleaner, more sustainable motorsport future.
The car is designed and manufactured by Spark Racing Technology, and equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell from Symbio, Extreme H’s Official Fuel Cell Provider, and has undergone an intensive testing programme equivalent to three seasons of racing in readiness for its debut campaign.
Symbio will provide a 75kW hydrogen fuel cell replacing the battery as the principal energy source. The hydrogen fuel cell powers the battery pack that is produced and supported trackside by Fortescue ZERO. Hydrogen fuel cells represent a technological revolution that is now becoming a widespread reality, with this technology already being used behind the scenes in Extreme E, where it provides the energy source to the vehicle’s batteries.
The Pioneer 25’s peak 400kw (550hp) output is capable of firing the 2200 kilogram, 2.4 metre-wide race car from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds and scale gradients of up to 130 per cent.Each Pioneer 25 raced in Extreme H comprises a common package of standardised parts from Spark Racing Technology. One open area for Teams is the ability to redesign front and rear bodywork and lights in order to replicate the look of everyday car models.
The Monaco Hydrogen Alliance gathers leading stakeholders in hydrogen technology, industry leaders, and policymakers, and aims to accelerate the global transition toward hydrogen solutions. Extreme H’s hydrogen test car symbolises this vision, blending cutting-edge engineering with high performance sporting platform which seeks to accelerates mobility and technological advancement.
The Prince’s drive through Monaco not only highlights the importance of clean energy innovation but also underscores the growing momentum around hydrogen as a cornerstone of global sustainability.
