Di Grassi drives Formula E car on Arctic ice cap

Di Grassi drove the zero-emission race car inside the Arctic circle to the north of Greenland to attract attention to the amount of sea ice breaking away from the Arctic, which has reached historic new levels.

"It was such a beautiful, peaceful place," said di Grassi. "To come here and see how huge the ice cap is and how the effect of global warming is changing it, melting it, gives me a completely different understanding of what we are doing with Formula E and the importance of driving electric cars."

Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag added: "I have four children and the future of the planet depends on how we can control the effect that human life is having on the environment and the climate. That is why I think climate change is very important to address, to control, to face, and everyone can do something.

"We do something for motorsport, other people can do something from whatever they do in their lives."

The event was assisted by the Greenland government, and its desire to raise awareness of a need for action on climate change. Formula E has also teamed up with Southampton University, and during the trip a tracking beacon was place upon an iceberg that had broken away from the ice sheet.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, whose Foundation supported the event, said: "I fully support the bold and ambitious activity that Formula E has undertaken as a way of raising awareness of the effect climate change is having on the ice cap in Greenland.

"My Foundation recognises the role that electric vehicles can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and believes that Formula E can inspire a new generation of motorists and potential motorists to 'drive electric' and help in the fight against global warming through high-profile activations like this."