Munich. At the ABB FIA Formula E Championship rookie test,
which will take place on 1st March 2020 in Marrakesh (MAR), BMW i
Andretti Motorsport is giving two drivers the opportunity to get to
grips with the BMW iFE.20. BMW DTM driver Lucas Auer (AUT) will make
his debut at the wheel of the fully electric Formula car, as will
Andretti Autosport driver Kyle Kirkwood (USA). The two drivers have
already visited BMW Motorsport in Munich (GER) to prepare for their
test in the simulator.
Auer is using the time until the official DTM test drives at Monza
(ITA), where he will get to know the BMW M4 DTM up close and personal
for the first time from 16th-18th March, to get an initial impression
of Formula E and the BMW iFE.20. Two-time DTM champion Marco Wittmann
(GER) completed a comparable test last year.
“It goes without saying that my number one priority is the DTM, and I
can hardly wait to take to the track for the first time in the BMW M4
DTM at Monza,” said Auer. “But until then, the Formula E test is a
fantastic opportunity to learn something totally new for me. The
preparation in the simulator has already made me very curious. I’m
excited to see how the car will feel on the track in Marrakesh.”
21-year-old Kirkwood is a new addition to Andretti Autosport for the
2020 season and will contest the North American Indy Lights series for
team owner Michael Andretti’s crew. “As with Lucas and the DTM, the
Indy Cars are my top priority at the moment, but I couldn’t pass up
the opportunity to test a car as technologically advanced as the BMW
iFE.20,” said Kirkwood. “The simulator gave me an impression of how
complex the car is to drive. It will be a huge challenge and I will
have to learn a lot, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
The rookie test will be held the day after the Marrakesh E-Prix, the
fifth race of the Formula E season. After the Mexico City E-Prix (MEX)
last weekend, BMW i Andretti Motorsport lead the team standings. In
the driver standings, Alexander Sims (GBR) is in second place.