Formula E veteran Lucas di Grassi has suggested that the sport’s new Gen4 era, combined with Formula 1’s current existential issues, to “change a lot of people’s mentality” on the all-electric championship.
Newfound excitement for Formula E has been discovered this week, with the series’ forthcoming Gen4 machine showcased to select media, including Motorsport Week, at Circuit Paul Ricard.
The new car, whilst bigger and heavier, is much faster, and has been slated to lap certain tracks quicker than Formula 2 cars, and is projected to reach speeds of 200 mph.
Comparisons have inevitably been drawn between F1 and FE now, due to the former’s new increased electrification in its new regulations era.
When asked whether he feels that the ongoing fallout from that, coupled with the excitement generated by FE’s new car, di Grassi indicated that it might be a perfect opportunity for it to capitalised upon.
“Yeah, I think F1 could have a good moment,” the Brazilian told Motorsport Week in an exclusive interview. “Everything is it’s it’s helping F1 to go to the right direction.
“There are many challenges in the way. But yes, I think not only the Gen4, but the evolution of Gen4 to create a car which is faster than F1.
“And that’s the ultimate vision, like having the fastest car in motorsport being a F1 car. That will change a lot of people’s mentality. And if I could do one job, apart from racing, that would be it. Like get Formula E to a spot that is faster than F1.
“That would be the, I think, the ultimate goal in terms of in terms of technical development of the car.”
Di Grassi is known as ‘Mr Formula E’ for a reason – not only is he the sport’s first-ever race-winner, and a champion in it, he has been one of its biggest off-track champions in terms of generating publicity.
Gen4 promises to push the sport into the mainstream of motorsport, and with the stats that the car promises, it would be unwise to bet against it.
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