Formula E driver Nick Heidfeld talks to DHL's Delivered Magazine

DHL's Delivered Magazine had a chance to chat with the former Formula 1 star who currently drives for the all-new Venturi Formula E team during a break in testing action at Donington Park last week. DHL is Official Logistics Partner to the fully electric FIA Formula E Championship, which begins its inaugural season later this year.

On September 13, the FIA Formula E Championship – the world's first fully electric racing series – begins in Beijing, with DHL as its Official Logistics Partner. German motorsport star Nick Heidfeld and Frenchman Stéphane Sarrazin (whose experience includes Formula One, Rally and World Endurance) were recently named as the drivers for the Monte Carlo-based Venturi Formula E team, co-founded by award-winning actor, Leonardo DiCaprio.

I don't feel like a pioneer myself — but I think Formula E is pioneering motorsport.

Heidfeld, a former Formula 1 star who scored podium finishes with Williams and BMW Sauber, is looking forward to the challenge of driving a state-of-the-art Formula E car around temporary city centre circuits. At the UK's Donington Park motorsport circuit, after the Championship's official Global Launch in London, Heidfeld talked about his career – and his hopes for Formula E.

This is the very first Formula E Championship. Do you feel like a motorsport pioneer?
Joining a new team where everyone is coming together for the first time with completely new cars, learning everything from scratch, encountering problems and finding solutions together... that's very exciting. To answer your question, I don't feel like a pioneer myself – but I think Formula E is pioneering motorsport.

What's the difference between a Formula One car and a Formula E car?
There's a big difference between a Formula 1 car and a Formula E car. The most obvious thing is the sound, not just for the spectators but also for the drivers – although you do get used to that pretty quickly.

I always like driving on street circuits because it's a challenge. The icing on the cake is to race in some fantastic places.

Are sustainability issues getting more attention in motorsport these days?
When I started – with karting – I was eight years old, so I didn't know or care about sustainability issues then! But I think, in general, the public knows so much more about it now. And sustainability isn't just talked about in motorsport these days – businesses are aware of it too. Formula 1 is also going in that direction, with hybrid cars. And Formula E is something new, of course!

You'll be driving on city centre circuits in Formula E. Is there a city you are particularly looking forward to racing in?
I always like driving on street circuits because it's a challenge. But, for me, the icing on the cake is to race in some fantastic places – and that's what we have with Formula E, including Beijing, Monaco, Miami, LA, Berlin, London... that sounds so cool! I look forward to Punta del Este in Uruguay, too, because I've never been there. Driving in these cities will hopefully guarantee a good atmosphere.

Mentally, how do you deal with the danger inherent in your sport?
I always say it's important to think about the danger before you get into the car. But you shouldn't be scared and you shouldn't be thinking about it when you are driving the car, because then it begins to take away your concentration – and that's dangerous! You have to ask yourself: do I accept the risk... or not?

Full interview coming soon!
You can read the full exclusive interview with Nick Heidfeld in the next issue of Delivered. coming out in September. And watch for the special November issue to learn much more about Formula E!

DHL's Motorsport Expert and former F1 driver Christian Danner tested the Spark-Renault SRT_01E at Donington Park, too - and it surprised him, read more here – or watch him in action on DHL's YouTube Channel.

Read more about DHL & Formula E right here on DHL InMotion – just filter the stream for DHL Motorsports by clicking here!