After joining Geox Dragon Racing, Brendon Hartley is gearing up to start his rookie season in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship this weekend.
As a multiple LMP1 champion in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), a 24 Hours of Le Mans winner in 2017, and with Formula One experience under his belt Hartley has raced in some of the highest, most demanding levels of motorsport but even he admits that Formula E and the Gen 2 car is a whole new challenge.
“[It’s] very different from anything I have driven before,” said Hartley. “You have much more power than grip and it’s a real challenge to get everything out of it.
“I also particularly enjoy the development side of it, there are not many championships in the world that there is still the opportunity to help develop software, vehicle dynamics and a power train.”
Hartley’s rookie season with Geox Dragon Racing will be driven alongside his prior commitment to the Toyota Gazoo Racing team in WEC. Which means that if the March scheduling clash of the Sanya E-Prix and the 1000 Miles of Sebring doesn’t get resolved then Hartley will have to be in the United States instead of China that weekend.
With many current and former Formula E racers also competing in the World Endurance Championship, the Kiwi says that he had heard a lot about the all-electric series over the past few years.
“All the drivers in the paddock are genuinely happy to be there and love the fierce competition and exciting races FE has to offer.”
With the first race weekend of the season rapidly approaching, the Diriyah E-Prix this Friday and Saturday, Hartley is keeping the goals for his debut year realistic.
“I don’t have any expectations but I would like to do my best together with GEOX Dragon Racing to fight for the bigger points.”
