Formula E faster than Formula 1 in heavy rain? Rossiter makes spectacular Gen4 claim

Could Formula E actually be faster than Formula 1 in the wet? Gen4 development driver James Rossiter believes so. During a media roundtable attended by e-Formula.news, the Briton made a striking claim: with Bridgestone's new Typhoon tyre, he is confident he could beat a Formula 1 car on full wets in heavy rain.

"With the Typhoon tyre, I'm willing to say this on the record: if it rains heavily and you have a Formula 1 car on a full wet tyre, and I, a 43-year-old man, go out in a Gen4 car on a set of Bridgestones, I'm very confident I'd be faster than a Formula 1 car in the wet," Rossiter says. Then he adds: "Comfortably."

It is a remarkable statement, especially given Rossiter's background. The Briton is a development driver for the Gen4 car and has already tested the new machine extensively. He also previously worked as a Formula 1 test driver for BAR-Honda and Force India.

Even in heavy rain: Gen4 could run when the FIA would normally red-flag a session

That level of performance, according to Rossiter, will not come from the much more powerful Gen4 car alone. A key part of it is Bridgestone's new Typhoon tyre, developed specifically for heavy rain and officially unveiled in Rome on Wednesday.

"I think the technology that Gen4 has, but also what Bridgestone have created with the Typhoon tyre, is truly remarkable when you consider the amount of work they have put into it," Rossiter explains.

His most intriguing prediction may not even be the direct Formula 1 comparison. Rossiter expects Formula E to be able to run in conditions in which the FIA would normally interrupt or even stop a session. "You will see cars driving on circuits in conditions where the FIA would normally put out a red flag, end the session or take some other action," he says. "And the drivers will be perfectly happy."

"The drivers will be complaining because they want to drive"

Rossiter even expects a reversal of what has often happened in extremely difficult conditions. Instead of drivers arguing that it is too wet to run, they could end up pushing to stay on track. "This time, the drivers will be complaining because they want to drive, whereas in the past it was the opposite," says the Briton. "So I would say we're at a very exciting transition point for the championship."

Rossiter sees the new tyre concept as an important part of the major technological step Formula E is taking with Gen4. In terms of the steps forward, we've really created something spectacular with Gen4," he says. "And in collaboration with Bridgestone, we're able to put all of that performance on the road in every condition."

Whether a Gen4 car would really be faster than a current Formula 1 car on full wet tyres in heavy rain could only be proven in a direct comparison. But Rossiter's confidence makes clear how much Formula E and Bridgestone expect from the new Typhoon tyre: even severe rain should no longer automatically mean the cars have to stop.