Joel Eriksson and Maximilian Günther fast in FIA Formula E rookie test

One day after former FIA Formula 3 European Champion Felix Rosenqvist claimed victory at the FIA Formula E race in Marrakesh, Joel Eriksson (Motopark) , runner-up in FIA Formula 3 European Championship 2017 and Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam), who finished the 2017 season one position behind the Swede, joined the first rookie test in the history of the all-electric series. Both have shown their talent in their first FIA Formula E experience.

“It’s been a great experience here in Marrakesh and I’m excited to have had my first taste of Formula E”, said Joel Eriksson. “It’s an interesting championship and completely different to everything I’ve done before, especially with the instant throttle response thanks to the electric powertrain. Also the sound of the car is different, and the brakes as well. It’s really cool trying to drive as fast as you can while managing energy levels – it adds an extra dimension.”

Eriksson, who completed 52 laps on the Circuit Moulay El Hassan, was third fastest in the morning session and finished on P9 in the afternoon session, where he run wide in the last corner of his fastest lap. “It was a shame I did that mistake on my final lap. It was a good lap until then, but overall I’m really pleased with how the test went and the pace we actually had. Thanks to the team DS Virgin Racing for the opportunity.”

Position three in the afternoon test finally went to Maximilian Günther, who drove for team Dragon in Morocco. In the morning he was classified just one position behind Eriksson on P4. “I’ve had a terrific day and faced a whole new set of challenges,” Günther concluded after a total of 53 laps in the car. “The Formula E car is very different to the single-seater racing cars I’ve come across so far. I was able to adapt very well and managed to get along just great. I fought for best time all day and ultimately posted the third-fastest time. The team was very pleased, I got some good feedback from the guys. I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Dragon Racing and Jay Penske for giving me the chance to drive their car.”

In a group of 20 rookies, a mixture of proven drivers and young talents, F3 graduates Günther and Eriksson compared well to established drivers such as Bruno Spengler, Daniel Juncadella and Gary Paffett.

FIA Formula E is the world’s first fully-electric international single-seater street racing series that has attracted quite a few F3 graduates since its maiden season in 2015. This season, former F3 drivers Felix Rosenqvist, Alex Lynn and Tom Blomqvist are competing in the series. After the first three races of the season 2015 FIA Formula 3 European Champion Felix Rosenqvist is currently leading the championship.