Italian Antonio Giovinazzi is one of the most glittering names to land on Formula E for season 8. The driver, still part of Alfa Romeo in Formula 1 signed with Dragon Penske and gave his first impressions of the electric series during the pre-season testing that took place in Valencia, Spain.
“I have to learn a lot of things very quickly, but I knew it would be like this and we are for that. Gradually, I’ve been feeling better in the car, and with more mileage will be even better,” he pointed out.
When asked about being placed at the back of the grid during testing, Giovinazzi was not worried, since as he progresses he will be more adapted for the debut at the end of January 2022.
Sitting for the first time at the wheel of the electric single-seater, the Italian explained that it is a totally different ride, which is nothing like GT, LMP2 or Formula 1. He admitted that it is “especially complicated when braking, it was difficult for me to get used to it in this aspect. There is also no downforce, no noise. Everything is different,” he said.
He will work with the simulator
Formula E is a high-level technological laboratory, so racers have the possibility to compete through simulators developed by the teams’ engineers.
In that sense, Giovinazzi pointed out that his plan is to work hard at the simulator to try to be at the highest level as soon as possible. Despite the fact that the adaptation time is very short, he assures that with the help of his staff he will sooner than later get up to speed for the debut.
“I am at the first phase and I will try to do my best. I want to complete a lot of work with the team’s simulator during December and January. It will be a difficult first part of the season, but we will work hard to be in good shape. I still have to finish Formula 1, there is not much time, but we will do as much work on the simulator as possible,” he added.
While Dragon Penske may not be one of the favorites on the Formula E grid, Giovinazzi is excited ahead of his new motorsport adventure. ” In Formula E there are usually different winners, it’s not like in F1 where you know that either Mercedes or Red Bull will win. I was motivated to compete on this championship, where nobody knows what is going to happen in the race. Dragon already did some podiums in the past and we are going to work together to achieve it again,” concluded the driver.
Written by I Jhonattan González
