Friday 20 June 2014

UK: Donington Park will be the hub of electric racing

ElecricAutosport.com: In exactly two weeks, the Formula E teams will complete their first official pre-season test day at their home track Donington Park in the United Kingdom. For the first time the teams will get a chance to run two cars each, after they performed an all systems check with their first received car early June.

The shakedown was being held in the rain – and in ‘secrecy’ – and saw signed and new drivers behind the steering wheel. Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna were given the chance to test drive their Mahindra Formula E car, Jaime Alguersuari and Sam Bird tested for Viring Racing, while Frank Montagny drove for Andretti and Daniel Abt received the chance to test the Audi Sport ABT Formula E car while his team mate Lucas di Grassi gave advice.

Former Formula 1 racer Nick Heidfeld surprised by testing for Venturi, while it made sense that Nicolas Prost stepped into the e.DAMS car. Nicolas is the oldest son of Alain Prost, and the former Formula 1 champion is co-founder of the e.DAMS team. Super Aguri and Drayson Racing asked young talented drivers to have a run.

What to expect?
Initially Formula E promised to give all members of the Formula E Drivers’ Club a chance to test drive the car. It will be interesting to see who will drive for which team. But will all teams be present? Dragon Racing did not take part during the first shakedown, but is likely to test both electric racers during the first pre-season test days.

Jarno Trulli took over the Drayson Racing entry recently and has announced to race one of the vehicles this season. We will see him for sure test driving again.

Most importantly, the teams and drivers will familiarise themselves with the opportunities the car provides and to prepare for the first round which will be held in Beijing in September.

How to get there
Do you want to attend? Then it’s your lucky day: all you need to do is register on the Donington Park website. Read instructions
 here.