Monger could race in electric off-road series Extreme E next year

Double amputee Monger won the Pau Grand Prix this year as he raced in Euroformula Open with Carlin, as well as helping to present Channel 4's Formula 1 coverage.

He is hoping to compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2020 after testing the car at Valencia earlier this month.

Monger has driven off road before, conducting his first ever rally test with Autosport and 2019 European Rally champion Chirs Ingram, who has also joined the XE scheme, one year ago.

FE racers Jerome D'Ambrosio, Daniel Abt and Oliver Turvey have signed up to the Extreme E driver scheme, along with ex-Formula 1 and FE driver Karun Chandhok, DTM driver Loic Duval, and DS Techeetah FE test and development driver James Rossiter.

The other new members of the driver programme are Dakar-winning motorcycle rally raid competitor Sam Sunderland, Japanese superbike rider Takuma Aoki, and rallycross and rallying drivers Krisztian Szabo and Zoltan Bessenyey.

The first Formula E champion, Nelson Piquet Jr, had already confirmed his interest.

"Fighting climate change is incredibly important," said Monger.

"Everything we do now will affect future generations. It's definitely a responsibility, and one that I can't and won't just ignore.

"The locations of Extreme E races are far from the public eye, and so they're not the kind of place that most of us get to see day to day.

"Bringing attention to the impacts of human interference on these places to people who might not otherwise see it is an interesting concept - and the fact that people can learn about it whilst watching racing is really cool too.

"Knowing that the Extreme E legacy program is going to mean we leave the locations in a better place than we've found them is a massive draw too; it's something that I would be really proud to be involved with."

XE CEO Alejandro Agag said: "The interest from top-level racing drivers from all disciplines, backgrounds and corners of the globe in joining Extreme E and being part of our odyssey in our inaugural campaign is extremely exciting.

"Any motor racing championship, and in-fact any new sporting proposition, needs to provide compelling, high-quality competition and what we have so far achieved with Extreme E is vindicated by those that have signed up to be a part of our drivers' programme.

"Aside from talking about their will to win, each of the drivers we have spoken to has shown a sincere and genuine will to immerse themselves in using the championship's platform to make their own positive impact and raise awareness of the issues facing our planet.

"They all have a story to tell and a real personal investment in trying to generate change and drive sustainability."

XE confirmed its Himalayan event in Nepal's Mustang District as the fourth location on its inaugural calendar, with just one round - a coast-based event - still to be confirmed.

The first XE season is slated to get underway in 2021.

The 550bhp ODYSSEY 21 car that will race in the series has already broken cover and testing on the machine has begun.