Six-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton is entering his own team in the new Extreme E electric off-road series.
The first race of the new sport, which aims to highlight climate change, is scheduled to begin in January 2021 and Hamilton's team will be X44, referring to the Mercedes driver's F1 racing number.
The Briton, who will not be driving or involved in day-to-day operations, is the biggest name to link up with a series that includes the US-based Andretti United and Chip Ganassi Racing teams.
"Extreme E is an exciting new sustainability initiative, and this is a great opportunity to be involved from the outset as a team founder," Hamilton said in a statement.
"Of course, my ambitions and commitments with Mercedes in Formula One mean that I wonât be operationally involved in X44, but Iâm excited to play a different role in this new series, one that brings my vision for a more sustainable and equal world to life."
Hamilton said last year he was trying to reduce his carbon footprint - selling his private jet and banning single-use plastic from home and office among other measures.
He also posted on Instagram last week: "Recently I've been making many changes in my life to reduce my impact on the environment. The first step in this journey was to understand my personal impact on the planet so I could make changes to improve it.
"Since then, I have offset my carbon footprint from my Formula 1 career dating back to 2007, I have reduced travel where possible, I have gone plant-based and outside the track, I try to use electric cars where possible."
Extreme E races, held without spectators but to be broadcast live on TV and social media, will be held in some of the most remote and harsh environments including the Brazilian rain forest, Greenland, Saudi Arabian deserts and mountains of Nepal.
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The locations are either already damaged or severely under threat from a range of issues such as rising sea levels or deforestation.
Teams will race identical SUVs with each one having a male and female driver.
The series will also use a former mail ship as a floating paddock and transporter between locations and for oceanographic research.
"Like us, Lewis is hugely passionate about motorsport, but also shares our belief that we can use sport to highlight subjects which are vital to the world, such as climate change and equality," said series founder Alejandro Agag.