Hedda Hosås is a Norwegian rallycross and off-road racing driver who’s made her mark in the male-dominated world of electric motorsport, currently serving as a development driver for the groundbreaking hydrogen-powered Extreme H series.

EARLY YEARS

Born March 2, 2001, in Voss, Norway, Hosås didn’t come from a typical motorsport family—but she grew up surrounded by petrol heads who fueled her passion for racing. She started riding motocross at 15, a late entry by most standards, but quickly proved she had the grit and natural talent to compete. Within a year, at 16, she transitioned from motocross to rallycross racing, demonstrating the kind of fearlessness and adaptability that would define her career.

Hosås wasn’t just interested in driving fast—she wanted to understand what made the machines tick. From the beginning, she immersed herself in the mechanical side of motorsport, learning how cars work and becoming hands-on with the technical aspects of racing. That combination of driving skill and engineering curiosity set her apart early on.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond racing, Hosås has partnered with Vossabia, a Norwegian brand based in her hometown of Voss, demonstrating her connection to her roots and her interest in building a profile beyond the track. She’s also mechanically inclined and genuinely enjoys working on cars, understanding the technical side of motorsport as much as the competitive aspect. Her YouTube content, including raw race footage like her appearance at the Hellas 24h Rally Raid, shows she’s comfortable sharing the sweat, pain, and reality of racing—no Instagram filters required.

EARLY SUCCESS

Hosås’s transition from rallycross to the global stage came through a test with Veloce Racing in Extreme E, the electric off-road racing series. Her ambition and professionalism caught the attention of manager Ian Davies, who arranged the opportunity. She joined Veloce Racing as a development driver, quickly proving she could handle the 550-horsepower electric SUVs racing across some of the planet’s most extreme terrain.

In July 2022, Jenson Button’s JBXE team called her up for the Sardinia round, pairing her with Kevin Hansen to form the youngest lineup on the Extreme E grid. The chemistry worked—Hosås and Hansen understood each other as fellow Scandinavians, and she learned quickly in her maiden campaign. She competed for JBXE through multiple events in the 2023 season, earning valuable seat time and building her reputation as a serious competitor.

Late in the 2023 season, McLaren came calling. Hosås replaced Emma Gilmour for the season-ending Copper X Prix in Chile, stepping into one of the series’ most high-profile teams. Though she didn’t finish on the podium that weekend, the opportunity showcased her growing status in the paddock.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2022: Joined Veloce Racing as development driver for Extreme E, making her series debut.
• 2022: Called up by JBXE (Jenson Button’s team) for Sardinia round, forming youngest lineup in series with Kevin Hansen.
• 2022: Earned her first Extreme E podium at the Island X Prix.
• 2023: Competed for JBXE in multiple rounds with a best finish of 9th overall in championship standings.
• 2023: Selected by McLaren to race in season finale Copper X Prix in Chile, replacing Emma Gilmour.
• 2024-2025: Chosen as development driver for Extreme H, the hydrogen-powered series replacing Extreme E.
• 2025: Competed in Desert X Prix Race 1 for Team EVEN, earning her best Extreme E result and first podium since 2022 Island X Prix.
• 2025: Competed in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge as part of the World Rally-Raid Championship in the SSV category.

INSPIRATIONS

Hosås has expressed her love for racing in its purest form, once saying she could “race around the same track multiple times and not get tired of it—like never!” Her passion is infectious and genuine, rooted in the thrill of competition rather than fame or fortune. Working with experienced teammates like Kevin Hansen and being part of teams led by legends like Jenson Button has provided mentorship and inspiration as she’s navigated the professional racing world.

REPUTATION

Hosås is regarded as one of Norway’s biggest female motorsport talents, recognized for setting her mark in electric off-road racing despite her young age. She’s known for her professionalism, ambition, and willingness to put in the work both on and off the track. The fact that she was selected as a development driver for Extreme H—helping develop the pioneering Pioneer 25 hydrogen car—speaks to the trust series organizers and teams place in her feedback and skill.

She’s also earned respect for her versatility. Moving from motocross to rallycross to electric off-road racing to rally raid demonstrates a driver who isn’t afraid to challenge herself in new disciplines. Her role as a development driver has given her unique insight into the future of sustainable motorsport, positioning her as both a competitor and an ambassador for emerging racing technology.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Hosås has made no secret of her ultimate dream: competing in the Dakar Rally. It sits at the top of her career bucket list, and she’s actively building toward it through rally raid competition and continued development work in Extreme H. She’s competing with Team EVEN in the FIA Extreme H World Cup, partnered with fellow Norwegian Ole Christian Veiby under the Kristoffersson Motorsport-operated team. With hydrogen racing set to take center stage and her sights firmly on Dakar, Hosås is building the kind of diverse, challenging career that could make her a household name in off-road motorsport.

REFERENCES

Wikipedia: Hedda Hosås
Racers Behind the Helmet: Interview with Hedda Hosås
Extreme E: Hedda Hosås looks back on a year with JBXE
Vossabia: Collaboration with motorsport talent Hedda Hosås
Green Racing News: Veloce Racing signs Hedda Hosås
Extreme E: Hedda Hosås looks back on maiden campaign
Extreme E: Hedda Hosås on developing the Pioneer 25 Extreme H car
BMGMT Norway: Hedda Hosås profile
Extreme E: Team KMS triumphs in Desert X Prix Race 1
RACER: Hosås building off-road career momentum with Extreme E
RACER: Hosås to race for McLaren at Extreme E finale
Extreme E: Hedda Hosås to race for NEOM McLaren XE in Season 3 finale
Driving Hydrogen: Final teams and drivers grid for Extreme H
eWRC-results: Hedda Hosås profile