Molly Taylor joins Jenson Button's Extreme E team for 2022 campaign

Australian rally ace Molly Taylor will attempt to defend her Extreme E crown this year after it was announced she will be joining Jenson Button's team for 2022.

Winner of the inaugural Extreme E championship in 2021 alongside Johan Kristoffersson for 2016 Formula One champion Nico Rosberg's Rosberg X Racing squad, the Australian found herself without a seat for 2022 as the team elected to pull in Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky as a replacement.

Just a fortnight later, Taylor is now confirmed as a team-mate to rallycross star Kevin Hansen, with the duo driving for JBXE, owned and operated by 2009 Formula One champion, Jenson Button.

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Taylor with Kristoffersson (left) and Rosberg (centre) after winning the inaugural Extreme E title in 2021

The 2016 Australian Rally Championship victor said she'll be hungry to defend her title when the season kicks off at the Desert X Prix this weekend.

”I had an incredible year with Extreme E in 2021 and I believe wholeheartedly in what the competition represents, both with respect to its commitment to sustainability and gender equality," said Taylor.

"Having had the benefit of a win in last year’s championship, when the call came to join the JBXE team ahead of this weekend’s race, I thought why not. I’m looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into the Desert X-Prix this weekend.”

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Taylor en route to winning the 2021 championship

Button and Hansen believe the addition of Taylor to the driving roster will put them in good stead to start the title tilt, with the Saudi Arabian sands being fresh in her mind after competing in this year's Dakar Rally.

“To be able to bring Molly into the team is fantastic news for JBXE. Having won the championship last year she obviously brings a huge amount to the table so I’m incredibly excited to see her and Kevin in action this weekend," said Button.

“I’m very excited to work with Molly," said two-time World Rallycross winner, Hansen.

"She did great last year and was one of the best out on track. You don’t become Champion for nothing!

“She has a lot of experience now in Saudi from the Dakar Rally this year, so I will take a lot of advantage from that. It was an amazing experience that she had there and now she can share that with me. It’s going to be very fun to work with her this weekend.”

Season two of the Extreme E Championship kicks off this weekend in Saudi Arabia with the Desert X Prix, running across five rounds until November.