Breaking news
Formula E
Mercedes Formula E car makes track debut
Mercedes has run its new ABB FIA Formula E car in testing for the first time, with Stoffel Vandoorne and Edoardo Mortara driving at the Varano circuit.
Alex Kalinauckas
Published: Apr 3, 2019, 8:21 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The test took place over three days on March 27-29, with former Mercedes DTM driver and current Venturi FE racer Mortara driving in place of HWA's Gary Paffett, who was racing in the Intercontinental GT Challenge event at Laguna Seca last weekend.
After running to the mandated 50km on the opening shakedown day, Mercedes reached a total distance of 527km over the final two days.
Motorsport.com has clarified that these days have used up two of Mercedes' 15 manufacturer testing days that each powertrain builder is permitted to use ahead of the 2019/20 championship.
"When a new racing car comes to life for the first time and goes out onto the track, that's always a very special moment," said Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff.
"Not only have we reached an important milestone for our as yet young team, but we have also laid a solid foundation for further development.
"But there is still a lot of work to do before our race debut when the next season starts towards the end of this year."
HWA, which made its FE debut as a works FE squad in the current 2018/19 campaign, will run Mercedes FE race team, with the squad receiving technical assistance from its Formula 1 team and its powertrain being built by its Brixworth engine base.
A Mercedes statement explained the purpose of the initial running was to "compile as much information and data as possible about the first version of the power unit and the rest of the drive assembly".
"We are very pleased with the progress made during our first test with the new car," said Ian James, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Formula E Ltd.
"The first days of testing at Varano were a very important step in the development of our team.
"We brought together experts from our different sites at Affalterbach, Brackley, Brixworth and Stuttgart, and at the end of a successful three days, they left as members of a team - it was the birth of the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team.
"In the coming weeks and months, many more milestones will follow on the way to our first race."
6
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Formula E eyes Shanghai for 2019/20 season
Next article Vienna in early talks to host Formula E race
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Alex Kalinauckas
Who is Kimi Antonelli, F1 sprint polesitter at just 18?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Who is Kimi Antonelli, F1 sprint polesitter at just 18?
Why Bottas has the edge over Perez in 2026 F1 return race
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Why Bottas has the edge over Perez in 2026 F1 return race
What if Red Bull solved its second-car problem with a paint job?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
What if Red Bull solved its second-car problem with a paint job?
Latest news
Lamborghini World Finals | AM-LC Race 1: An unstoppable Lewandowski dominates to win Race 1
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
2 h
Lamborghini World Finals | AM-LC Race 1: An unstoppable Lewandowski dominates to win Race 1
Why Cadillac F1 boss provoked fresh intrigue by dodging driver question
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
3 h
Why Cadillac F1 boss provoked fresh intrigue by dodging driver question
Lamborghini World Finals | PRO-PRO/AM Qualifying: Pole position for Lind, Bamber, Van der Drift and Marcelli
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
3 h
Lamborghini World Finals | PRO-PRO/AM Qualifying: Pole position for Lind, Bamber, Van der Drift and Marcelli
Jorge Martin's endless ordeal since signing for Aprilia
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
3 h
Jorge Martin's endless ordeal since signing for Aprilia
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe