The new “Gen2” EQ Silver Arrow 01, the name given to the machine that will defend the colours of Mercedes in Formula E by 2020, has recently experienced its baptism on the track in Italy.
The program in Formula E of the German manufacturer has taken a new step in the right direction with a successful first test of its new “Gen2” on the Varano circuit.
For three days last week (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday), Stoffel Vandoorne, holds FE at HWA team-laboratory Mercedes, and Edoardo Mortara, Venturi pilot and former home of Mercedes in DTM (came supplement the other holders HWA, Gary Paffett, retained by another GT commitment), covered a total of 527 kilometres at the wheel.
After a shakedown of all systems the first day, Vandoorne and Mortara took turns in the bucket of the EQ Silver Arrow 01 for two days to rough out the chassis and accumulate as much information as possible about the powertrain’s behaviour. An inaugural ride that turned out to be positive.
“It’s always a special moment when a new car comes to life on the track, ” said Toto Wolff, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport boss. Not only have we taken a new step as a young team but the foundation is strong for development that will accelerate as we get closer to where we started. And there is still a lot of work to be done to be ready. “
Mercedes will begin its adventure in Formula E as an official squad in season 6 (2019-2020) of the FIA single-seaters championship after a first test year in collaboration with HWA. Porsche will also be present to increase the number of manufacturers present to ten.
The next E-Prix Formula E will be held on April 13th in the streets of Rome.
