Formula 1 legend Johnny Herbert has detailed the “lovely experience” of driving a Formula E car, having recently got behind the wheel of a Gen3 Evo machine.
Herbert hopped aboard the Lola T001 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month, having become an ambassador for the British marque earlier this year.
Lola chose Formula E as its first major avenue of motorsport upon its return to existence, having been taken over by British businessman Till Bechtolsheimer.
Partnering with the existing ABT outfit and going into collaboration with Japanese giants Yamaha, the team accomplished the campaign, juggling many uphill tasks.
Depsite only having taken delivery of a Gen3 Evo mid-last year, Lola was able to still score 32 points in its debut season, as well as one podium, all coming from veteran Lucas di Grassi.
Three-time Grand Prix winner Herbert, speaking exclusively to Motorsport Week, revealed what the experience of driving an all-electric racing car for the first time was like.
“It was the first time [driving a Formula E car], and it was the first time with the Halo,” he said. “I’ve never even driven a Halo before. So that was interesting, just doing that.
“A Halo, you don’t even know it’s there. It’s quite nice to actually use it to get in and get out, pull yourself out! So that’s the positive of it. And then there’s the safety aspect.
“But then it’s the actual driving of the car. We initially started with 300 kilowatts. Then I sort of got bored of that quite quickly.
“So we went to 350. And the wonderful four-wheel drive launch that you get off the start line in Goodwood was really, really nice. And then I got a bit bored of that!
“And I thought, let’s have a little bit more fun. So actually, we did Attack Mode, but without the four-wheel drive and just had rear-wheel drive. And that was really good to see how long I could do the burnouts off of the line. So a really lovely experience for me.”
Herbert explains newfound ‘understanding’ on Formula E challenge
Herbert further explained how he now has a newfound understanding of how it is to tackle a Formula E car, which will commence its final season of the Gen3 era in December.
“I have a bit more of an understanding of what drivers are feeling when they’re actually on the racetrack,” he said.
“I know it’s [the Goodwood climb] sort of up a drive, so it’s a little bit different.
“Cornering, I have nearly no idea at all. But I do have a closer understanding of what the guys are going through in the cockpit. So I was very fortunate to have that opportunity.”
Herbert revealed that he will have another stint in the car soon “with a bit of luck.”
“But I loved it,” he added. “All I wanted to play with, because obviously, we got the regen paddles.
“And then you’ve got the two paddles at the top where you can sort of do the finer tuning.
“And I wanted to feel it. And unfortunately, it wasn’t really the right place to feel that.
“But the fundamentals underneath the car, no aerodynamics, and just feeling how the car was.
“It was very slick, I have to say, in a straight line. Very, very slick. And the wonderful torque you get low down.
“And then that electrification sort of linear power band that they have was nice to feel.”
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