How was your first test with a
Formula E?
«During the whole session, we
experienced several technical issues that
were to a certain extent expected.
We have to understand that this is not
only a new championship, but it also
feature some completely new technology.
We have to understand that these cars
are a completely different world. There
isn't a 'known' engine inside them with
petrol in it. It needs electric power and
this change the deal quite a lot. I couldn't
manage a lot of laps but, luckily, the
second car has run a little more
consistently so we grabbed some
important data that will help us working
on the car».
What was your first impression of the
series?
«We clearly got in touch with its positive
aspects today. The organization is
fantastic, the idea is pure genius, the
level of team and drivers is stellar and, in
addition to that, there's an huge media
attention. Also, the calendar speaks by
itself as we're going to race on some
outstanding venues. I believe that this
season will turn out to be excellent,
although there will be a lot of things to
learn».
What's the most different thing of the
Spark-Dallara car compared to the
regular ones?
«The car is completely different from
anything I've driven before. It's... strange.
It's undoubtedly a fully-fledged formula
car, but it's heavier, almost 800
kilograms. So the handling is quite
different compared to the traditional
open-wheel cars. I had the chance to use
carbon fiber brakes for the first time and
learning how to use them is tricky. The
management of "warming up" is also
tricky because of the limited autonomy,
you have to warm up everything and
then start pushing straight away. For me,
this exercise is particularly valuable».
What does it feel to drive a car that
makes no noise?
«The strangest thing is that you can't feel
the car's noise. It's not disturbing,
although you have to get used to it. Of
course, the engine's noise is something
you can usually rely on to understand,
for example, how you're exiting from a
corner or how you're going in general. It's
an element you can use in your favour.
In Formula E you only hear some noise in
pit-lane. And, at one point, I even went
without earplugs. An I got really
surprised by the noise generated by the
airflow. Usually, when you drive a car,
you don't realize how big is the air's
interaction with it».
You will be racing with Jarno Trulli,
one of the best Italian F.1 drivers in
history. How does it feel?
«I'm absolutely flattered and honoured.
I seems strange to say, but... I found
out that they welcomed me because
they really rely and they are really
interested in working with me. This
feeling compensated all the little
problems we have and I think this can
be turning point of my professional
career. We built a trust relationship and
they strongly believe in me. Also,
having Jarno Trulli racing alongside you
is sensational. I had already raced with
Johnny Herbert as a team-mate, but
with Jarno it's different. He spent his
whole career in Formula 1 and he's still
pretty young so I can clearly remember
him and his results despite before
20
Formula E
starting my career I wasn't a die-hard
racing fan. So, at the moment this
occasion seems almost surreal, like all
the series' environment. They almost
took for granted that I was in Formula
1. I had to explain them that I had
almost never seen an F1 close!».
The series' calendar features races in
some fascinating venues, what it's the
one you're looking forward to?
«I have to say that the whole schedule is
great. We go to Miami on March 14 and it
should be sweet in that time of the year.
Sunny with the wonderful ocean! I also
look forward to Punta Del Este in
Uruguay. That area is gorgeous. But
really all the dates are great because
we're moving from historic capital cities
like Berlin and London to Monte Carlo.
And given my career path, I didn't think I
could have raced at Monte Carlo in such
an high-quality context. We're only
missing a round in Italy. Rome would
have been just perfect»
Several female racer are breaking
through in international motor racing,
do you think something has changed?
I don't believe something has changed.
We're part of this world and we have been
following our path for quite some time.
Of course, the fact that we're moving
forward is positive, but it's a pretty
normal situation. We have been here for
several year now. I also think to racers
like Simona De Silvestro, Beitske Visser
and more. For some they might seem
"new" but I've been following them for a
long time. We have to wait and see what
the future will bring!
Marco Cortesi
