BMW DTM rookie joins Virgin for Formula E test
New BMW DTM driver Joel Eriksson will test with DS Virgin Racing in Formula E’s rookie test in Marrakesh this month.
Photo by: FIA F3 / Suer
The Swedish driver battled McLaren Formula 1 prodigy Lando Norris for the European Formula 3 crown last year, winning seven races on his way to second in the points.
Eriksson was a BMW junior prior to his DTM promotion, which came after he had impressed the German manufacturer during October's young driver test at Lausitz.
He will drive the DSV-03 FE car, which won the opening round of the 2017/18 FE season in the hands of Sam Bird, in Marrakesh on January 14.
“Formula E has a wealth of very talented drivers so it’s great to be experiencing this first hand and getting my first taste of electric racing,” said Eriksson. “DS Virgin Racing are a proven race-winning team so I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel.”
The full Marrakesh test entry list is expected to be revealed this week, with confirmation of who will partner Eriksson at DS Virgin imminent.
“We’re delighted to have Joel testing for us,” said team principal Alex Tai. “DS Virgin Racing is passionate about nurturing new talent and Joel is one of the most up and coming drivers on the scene right now.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in our race-winning machinery.”
Eriksson has already undertaken simulator work at DS Performance’s headquarters in France, where marque director Xavier Mestelan Pinon said the Swede “impressed with his work rate and how quickly he got up to speed”.
He will be reunited at the test with his Euro F3 rival Maximilian Gunther, who will drive for Dragon Racing alongside Andrea Caldarelli.
Other single-seater aces driving in the test are Nissan’s Japanese Formula 3 champion Mitsunori Takaboshi (Renault e.dams), Formula 2 race winner Nyck de Vries (Audi Sport Abt) and Indy Lights frontrunner Colton Herta (Andretti).
Audi DTM driver Nico Muller will join de Vries in the Abt-run team’s line-up, while his BMW adversary Bruno Spengler partners Herta at Andretti.
Porsche's Frederic Makowiecki and Lexus Super GT frontrunner James Rossiter will test for Techeetah and Formula Renault Northern European Cup champion Michael Benyahia will drive for Venturi, while Mahindra will field Sam Dejonghe and Dani Juncadella.
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