The upcoming Berlin Formula E rookie test, in which talents from across the world of motorsport are weighed up in the all-electric series, could offer Zane Maloney and/or Linus Lundqvist a chance at a seat in 2024.
Andretti was one of the first teams on the grid alongside manufacturer Porsche to announce their line-up for the rookie outing later this month, with F2 driver and Red Bull junior Maloney taking part alongside 2022 IndyNXT champion Lundqvist.
With Andre Lotterer stepping aside during the Jakarta ePrix weekend, there exists the possibility that the German driver could exit the series to focus on his sportscar involvement in 2024, leaving the space open next to Jake Dennis.
Speaking to Motorsport Week, Roger Griffiths, Team Principal of Andretti mentioned the four-car approach the team is taking with manufacturer Porsche, as it looks to maximise what the test could give it.
“When we had the conversation with Porsche, it wasn’t about what’s Andretti going to do and what’s Porsche going to do, it was what are we going to do?”
Griffiths also highlighted that the test would not be a futile exercise and could give any of the drivers a chance to show their capabilities in the Gen3 package.
“We always have to have a consideration that this person may be being trialled for a race seat. So you’ve got to take it pretty seriously as to who you’re going to put in the car because you don’t want to put somebody in there that could cause unnecessary damage or be uncompetitive because that doesn’t really help us.”
Andretti has a history of allowing drivers from different sides of their operation chances to test machinery in different series they compete in. Griffiths says team owner Michael Andretti is very keen on continuing this moving forward.
“For example, Robin Frijns, when he was driving with us, he came over and drove an IndyCar. Jake’s driven the IndyCar. We’ve had Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood come and drive the Formula E car. People are experiencing both programmes.
“Michael’s very keen to have all of the drivers get to know each other. Now that we have a sports car programme, perhaps there are possibilities of using Formula E or IndyCar drivers in the sports car programme in the longer races. It gives us a whole lot of opportunity to move things around and to look at how different types of racing can be beneficial.”
With Lundqvist also testing in IndyCar, it is clear the Swedish driver is assessing his options as he looks to return to competitive racing in 2024.
A solid performance in the Formula E test might make options clearer, in the electric series or elsewhere.
