Formula E Car Gets Its First Track Test

The Formula E Spark-RenaultRenaultFrance, 1898 > present189 models
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17 videos
SRT_01E made its first track test at the La Ferté Gaucher circuit on November 20 and 21. The test car used a 50kw (67hp) electric motor, rather than the 200kw (268hp) that the full racing version will use. The test was meant as a check that everything was functioning properly.

Test driver Lucas di Grassi completed 40 laps over the two-day test.

"It is a great feeling to be driving the Formula E car for the first time,” said Di Grassi. “I can assure all the drivers will have a lot of fun with this car - even with just a quarter of the power it has quite a lot of grip and the electric motor produces huge torque."

Spark Racing Technology in France developed the Spark-Renault SRT_01E with input from Renault Sport and components from McLarenMcLarenUnited Kingdom, 1963 > present92 models
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and WilliamsWilliamsUnited Kingdom, 1977 > present37 models
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. The chassis comes from DallaraDallaraItaly, 1972 > present3 models
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.

The series will have its debut in September 2014 with ten planned rounds around the world and ten, two-car teams.

The next test is planned for the coming weeks where we want to increase the mileage on the car, working our way up to a full race simulation,” said Frédéric Vasseur, President of Spark Racing Technology.