Formula E Runs First Test at Donington Park

E.dams-Renault's Sebastien Buemi set the fastest time at the end of the first day of official Formula E testing at Donington Park. DHL’s Motorsports Expert gets in on the action.

The first of five public tests saw all 10 teams and drivers use the full Donington Park GP circuit, modified to include an additional chicane at the exit to the Old Hairpin. It was a chance for fans to get their first glimpse of the all-electric race series.

Click here to watch Christian Danner in the cockpit of the all-electric Spark-Renault SRT_01E

Perfect testing conditions
It was a perfect day at Donington Park. The conditions were dry, bright and not too hot, allowing the teams and drivers to get a feeling for the fully-electric Spark-Renault SRT_01E ahead of the opening round in Beijing this September. This was a welcome change from the rain that hampered track times during the shakedown last month.

Being the first outing for many of the drivers, the day focused on getting to grips with the Spark-Renault SRT_01E cars with German driver Daniel Abt of Team Audi Sport ABT laying down the early benchmark in the morning session.

Buemi sets pace
In the afternoon session, Sebastien Buemi of Team E.dams-Renault posted a lap time of 1:35.475s with under an hour to go and held the top spot until the end of the day.

Speaking afterwards, the 26-year-old Swiss racer said: “I’m more than happy to be honest. I didn’t have any problems with the car at all and that meant we were able to learn quite a lot about it. It’s always nice to be P1 so let’s hope it continues tomorrow.”

Venturi’s new signing and ex-Le Mans driver Stephane Sarrazin, who rounded out the top-five during his first outing in a fully-electric single-seater, had this to say: “I’ve had experience of driving electric-powered cars in the past with hybrid technology but this is complete new. The feeling in the car is great and it’s certainly fun to drive.”

Christian Danner in the driver’s seat
Former Formula 1 driver and DHL Motorsports Expert, Christian Danner, got a taste of what it will be like to race the Spark-Renault SRT_01E this season, taking the DHL demo car out for a spin on England’s oldest permanent park circuit.

“It’s actually pretty amazing because you have no sound whatsoever in the cockpit apart from a little wind noise,” he said afterward. “The longer I drive it the more I like it.”

Day two is underway today with free access to fans, including a pitlane walk. For more information visit www.fiaformulae.com.

FIA Formula E Championship - Day 1, Donington Park - Test Results (Combined Times):
1. Sebastien Buemi, e.dams-Renault, 1:35.475
2. Lucas di Grassi, Audi Sport ABT, +0.537
3. Sam Bird, Virgin Racing, +0.895
4. Bruno Senna, Mahindra Racing, +0.910
5. Stephane Sarrazin, Venturi, +1.223
6. Nicolas Prost, e.dams-Renault, +1.232
7. Jarno Trulli, Trulli, +1.494
8. Daniel Abt, Audi Sport ABT, +1.737
9. Jaime Alguersuari, Virgin Racing, +1.970
10. Karun Chandhok, Mahindra Racing, +2.057
11. Franck Montagny, Andretti Autosport, +2.587
12. Antonio Felix da Costa, Amlin Aguri, +2.604
13. Jerome d’Ambrosio, China Racing, +2.611
14. Antonio Garcia, China Racing, +2.729
15. Nick Heidfeld, Venturi, +5.269
16. Mike Conway, Dragon Racing, +5.693
17. Gil de Ferran, Andretti Autosport, +9.497
18. Scott Speed, Andretti Autosport, +10.434
19. Katherine Legge, Amlin Aguri, +12.821
20. Michela Cerruti, Trulli, No time set

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