Formula E car gets electrifying review from Jarno Trulli

Jarno Trulli, who lies third all-time in Grand Prix driven with 256, is more than qualified to give an assessment of how the Spark-Renault SRT_01E is performing and if it needs tweaking in any aspect.

Following a full day’s test drive at the La Ferté Gaucher circuit near Choisy-le-Roi, France, Trulli gave a glowing review of the 200kw (270bhp) single-seater racecar.

“From inside the cockpit it feels like driving a proper Formula One car, the sound is different but you still hear the sound of the electrical engine and gearbox, so in terms of feeling it’s perfect for a racing driver. Maybe from the outside it seems different but inside you don’t notice it. So far I have enjoyed it because it’s a nice car to drive.  As a first day I expected something different and it certainly is, but having a feeling of a racing car was the most important thing. I have been racing for 30 years, 15 in Formula One, so I have seen more or less everything so I anticipated finding something unlike anything else but it gave me the same feeling of the old days,” said Trulli.

The Spark-Renault SRT_01E has been designed and built by Spark Racing Technology together with some of the leading manufacturers in motorsport.  The chassis is by Dallara while McLaren Electronics Systems supplied the electric motor, gearbox and electronics.  The battery is from Williams Advanced Engineering with Renault putting in the overall systems integration and Michelin supplied the bespoke 18” treaded tires. 

The Spark-Renault SRT_01E will soon go into production with the first cars delivered to teams at the Championship’s new Donington Park headquarters in mid-May.