Monday 7 July 2014

Buemi relishes thought of Formula E “street racing”

 

Formula E driver Sebastien Buemi can’t wait to take to the streets for the electric car championships.

The F1 driver says he is “really happy” to be involved in another “fantastic championship”, driving alongside Alain Prost's son Nicolas Prost.

Buemi told ELN: “It’s completely new and to drive with a completely electric car, you know, we will see what happens but I’m sure it’s going to be interesting races.”

Drivers got out for an official shakedown in the cars last week, with two test days at Donington Park where they had to navigate obstacles simulating a city’s busy streets.

Buemi notched up the fastest lap time in Thursday’s afternoon session for his team e.dams Renault, at 1 minute 35.475 seconds.

Asked if he’ll find it hard to change the way he thinks about driving, the French racer said: “I’ve been racing Formula One for three years so obviously doing 55 races and clearly it’s going to be different.

“We cannot hide that but I’m looking forward to it - this new format, driving only in the street races, I think that’s going to be good.”

Last year Buemi helped the TOYOTA Racing team onto the podium at the 24 Hour Le Mans Race, where they made second place with a hybrid car.

After three complete seasons in F1, Buemi joined Red Bull Racing as third after Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.