Robert Wickens, a former IndyCar driver, recently tested a Formula E car with hand controls at Portland International Raceway.
Formula E, officially the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, is an open-wheel single-seater motorsport championship for electric cars.
In 2018, Wickens suffered a devastating crash that left him paralyzed from the waist down.
The life-altering crash at Pocono Raceway in 2018 had sort of sealed the promising driver’s fate in the world of racing. However, Formula E seems to have given him a new chance.
Wickens and racing
The driver had not completely left the world of racing following the tragic 2018 incident. He had returned to the race track at IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge series and even taken the 2023 TCR championship in a Hyundai Elantra N.
However, Formula E’s GenBeta is a different beast altogether, and it was modified to meet the driver’s needs.
The GEN3 race car was modified by manufacturing partner SPARK, incorporating hand controls and adjustments to enable the 32-year-old to properly test the forbear of the world’s fastest FIA single-seater – something he’s wanted to do since Formula E became a thing, a decade ago.
“I’m ecstatic to get the chance to drive Formula E’s GEN3,” says Wickens. “It’s the car I’ve wanted to try since the birth of the series and I’ve never really had an opportunity yet with the career paths I’ve taken,” Wickens had said , as per Formula E.
The GEN3 car can achieve a top speed of 200 mph (320 km per hour) and has a maximum power of 350kW (470bhp).
Formula E also says that it is also the most efficient race car on the planet, with almost 50 percent of its running energy coming from regeneration through its rear and new front powertrain, achieving up to 600kW of total energy regeneration.
This proved too exciting for Wickens, who extended his scheduled two laps to 11 on the day of the test ride.
“It was only a few laps, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and it left me wanting a lot more. Hopefully this will lead to more opportunities in the future and possibly a rookie test. I think right now, that would be the goal for me, to try and get onto the grid in Formula E for the future,” he said .
Formula E’s growing popularity
It can be said that Formula E is still in its nascent stage, although its cars are the fastest regulated electric road-course racing cars in the world.
The new generation of cars used in the competition is capable of reaching speeds of up to 200 mph, which is not too far behind the 220 mph speed that F1 cars roughly reach during races.
All it needs is a push from the companies and some consistent performance from the drivers who make the races exciting.
The upcoming London finale of the Formula E championship is gaining widespread attention.
As the world thinks of moving away from fossil fuels, the racing world will also likely undergo a shift in the years ahead. Formula E represents a step in the right direction .
Wickens and other drivers of his caliber can significantly boost the championship’s popularity, and this test drive could open new avenues for him.
The test drive also demonstrates the potential for inclusivity and technological innovation within the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
It remains to be seen what the next step is going to be when it comes to Wickens’ fortunes in Formula E, but it’s a good start – or, should we say a great lap.
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