Formula E Madrid Test 2024: What The Driver’s Said

Mediaon November 9, 2024
Formula E Pre Season Testing In Jarama Day 3
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Bianca Bustamante of the Philippines and NEOM McLaren Formula E Team poses for a photograph during day three of Formula E Pre-Season Testing at Circuito del Jarama on November 07, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alastair Staley/LAT Images)
Formula E Pre Season Testing In Jarama Day 3
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Bianca Bustamante of the Philippines and NEOM McLaren Formula E Team poses for a photograph during day three of Formula E Pre-Season Testing at Circuito del Jarama on November 07, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alastair Staley/LAT Images)

Formula E’s 22 drivers put the new GEN3 Evo through its paces during the pre-season test at Madrid’s Jarama Circuit this week, completing thousands of laps and kilometers across six sessions. The test provided the drivers with their first and only opportunity to familiarize themselves with the cutting-edge race car before the start of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s 11th season, which kicks off in Sao Paulo this December. The debut of the GEN3 Evo marks an exciting new era for the all-electric racing series as it continues to push the boundaries of sustainable motorsport technology.

Here’s what some of the drivers said about their session in Spain…

Pascal Wehrlein, Season 10 Formula E Drivers’ World Champion and No. 1, TAG Heuer Porsche driver, said: “Overall, we had a very positive test. There were lots of learnings and also lots of changes to adjust to: the tyres, the bodywork, the balance, and the all-wheel drive. Especially in the beginning, these changes can make quite a big difference. We did a full race simulation and it was good to get an idea of strategy and what the new race dynamics could be. The tyres have quite a lot of degradation, so it's a bit trickier on the longer run but over one lap it’s good fun. I’m feeling quite happy with the car and the set-up, and looking forward to Round 1 in São Paulo.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Season 10 Formula E Drivers’ World Champion and No. 1, TAG Heuer Porsche driver, said: “Overall, we had a very positive test. There were lots of learnings and also lots of changes to adjust to: the tyres, the bodywork, the balance, and the all-wheel drive. Especially in the beginning, these changes can make quite a big difference. We did a full race simulation and it was good to get an idea of strategy and what the new race dynamics could be. The tyres have quite a lot of degradation, so it’s a bit trickier on the longer run but over one lap it’s good fun. I’m feeling quite happy with the car and the set-up, and looking forward to Round 1 in São Paulo.”
Zane Maloney, No. 22, Lola Yamaha ABT Driver, said: “It’s been a great test for the team, there’s been a lot of development over the four days and we’ve made positive steps forward. It’s still a new package and we don’t know where we stand quite yet, so we’ll find that out in Brazil, but I’m looking forward to continuing the journey. The goal is to go through the season improving on every round and we’re on a good trajectory, we just need to continue to work hard as a team. From my side, that means learning from Lucas [di Grassi] but also offering my own input, so I’m really excited for the season ahead.”
Zane Maloney, No. 22, Lola Yamaha ABT Driver, said: “It’s been a great test for the team, there’s been a lot of development over the four days and we’ve made positive steps forward. It’s still a new package and we don’t know where we stand quite yet, so we’ll find that out in Brazil, but I’m looking forward to continuing the journey. The goal is to go through the season improving on every round and we’re on a good trajectory, we just need to continue to work hard as a team. From my side, that means learning from Lucas [di Grassi] but also offering my own input, so I’m really excited for the season ahead.”
Mitch Evans, No. 9, Jaguar TCS Racing Driver, said: “Overall, it's been an important week of testing. It is still early days with the I-TYPE 7 and there is a lot to learn in terms of performance, but we’ve gathered lots of information as the week progressed and I believe we’ve got the car into the right window. We’ve made good progress which is the main thing, and hopefully we can continue that development as we head towards the Season 11 opener in Brazil.”
Mitch Evans, No. 9, Jaguar TCS Racing Driver, said: “Overall, it’s been an important week of testing. It is still early days with the I-TYPE 7 and there is a lot to learn in terms of performance, but we’ve gathered lots of information as the week progressed and I believe we’ve got the car into the right window. We’ve made good progress which is the main thing, and hopefully we can continue that development as we head towards the Season 11 opener in Brazil.”
Abbi Pulling, Nissan Formula E Team, said: “It was a really exciting session, and felt amazing to put what I’ve learned in the simulator into real life and to experience the thrill of driving the Nissan Formula E car. The lap times were strong which is very pleasing, I think there was more time to extract at the peak of the tyre, but overall I’m happy with the performance. The whole team was great, explaining everything to me and answering any questions I had, so a big thanks to them. I’m delighted to have helped Nissan Formula E Team in the build-up to the new season and I hope to have another opportunity to drive the car in the future!”
Abbi Pulling, Nissan Formula E Team, said: “It was a really exciting session, and felt amazing to put what I’ve learned in the simulator into real life and to experience the thrill of driving the Nissan Formula E car. The lap times were strong which is very pleasing, I think there was more time to extract at the peak of the tyre, but overall I’m happy with the performance. The whole team was great, explaining everything to me and answering any questions I had, so a big thanks to them. I’m delighted to have helped Nissan Formula E Team in the build-up to the new season and I hope to have another opportunity to drive the car in the future!”
Jamie Chadwick, Jaguar TCS Racing, said: “It was an enjoyable day, there is so much I think everyone is going say they should have got out of the car in such a short period of time, and it got a bit messy there at the end with the red flags, but it was really cool, I really enjoyed it. Hopefully, I'll be back for some more - I think it has been a really good experience. One thing that was the most impressive was the launch, I did a couple and it’s incredible how quickly that car can go from 0-100km/h - that was my highlight.”
Jamie Chadwick, Jaguar TCS Racing, said: “It was an enjoyable day, there is so much I think everyone is going say they should have got out of the car in such a short period of time, and it got a bit messy there at the end with the red flags, but it was really cool, I really enjoyed it. Hopefully, I’ll be back for some more – I think it has been a really good experience. One thing that was the most impressive was the launch, I did a couple and it’s incredible how quickly that car can go from 0-100km/h – that was my highlight.”
Bianca Bustamante, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, said: “Today was my first experience driving the Formula E GEN3 Evo car. It was a lot of fun working with the whole team. We’ve been working and building towards this moment for the past few months and I'm happy to now have had this experience driving the car. We completed some 350kw laps, and it was a lot more power than I have been used to before, which was a great experience for me to improve my skills. “Having this experience through the McLaren Driver Development programme and NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, I feel I am becoming a better and more well-rounded driver, which was always the aim. Finishing the test in P3 is a big positive, and I am very thankful for this experience with the team.”
Bianca Bustamante, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, said: “Today was my first experience driving the Formula E GEN3 Evo car. It was a lot of fun working with the whole team. We’ve been working and building towards this moment for the past few months and I’m happy to now have had this experience driving the car. We completed some 350kw laps, and it was a lot more power than I have been used to before, which was a great experience for me to improve my skills.

“Having this experience through the McLaren Driver Development programme and NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, I feel I am becoming a better and more well-rounded driver, which was always the aim. Finishing the test in P3 is a big positive, and I am very thankful for this experience with the team.”

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