"Much stronger than last year's test" - Porsche draws positive conclusion after Formula E testing in Valencia

Pre-season testing in Valencia last week marked the start of the countdown to the 2024 Formula E World Championship. All the teams completed an intensive test programme at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in preparation for the season opener in Mexico (13 January). Porsche was able to reel off its programme despite a changed schedule and is satisfied after the test.

Porsche works drivers Pascal Wehrlein (767 kilometres) and Antonio Felix da Costa (698) together covered a test distance of 1,465 kilometres and collected important data for the German manufacturer. World champion Jake Dennis (758) and Norman Nato (752) from customer team Andretti contributed another 1,510 kilometres, although the teams had to flexibly adjust their programmes. A battery fire on Tuesday had caused an extended forced break.

"Despite the incident in the paddock, we were able to make intensive use of the test time allotted to us with our four Porsche 99X Electric cars and continuously reel off our planned programme," said Porsche team principal Florian Modlinger. "We are very satisfied with the results. After this test, we will be well prepared for the season opener in Mexico."

This also applies to the new procedures from the upcoming tenth Formula E season, in which the new fast-charging technology will be used, he says: "In the race simulation, which also went well, we were able to get a first impression of what it means to drive a race with a pit stop," says Modlinger.

Wehrlein: "More and more tracks like this on the calendar"

"That was a very helpful week with a good ending," agrees Pascal Wehrlein. "We learned a lot from last year and showed good pace. However, as there are more and more tracks like this on the calendar, it was very important for us to be competitive here. We got through our programme well, and the test race also went well for us. Nevertheless, there is still a lot to do for the start of the season."

Teammate Antonio Felix da Costa also finds: "This was a very positive test for us. We are much stronger than in last year's test, we have made huge progress. That is a good sign. But we also learned a few things in Valencia. We will put that into practice between now and the start of the new season, so that we can go to Mexico with a package that is capable of winning."

Jilkova: "A very fascinating experience"

Gabriela Jilkova completed a successful rookie session in Felix da Costa's Porsche 99X Electric. The racer from Prague, who supports the Porsche team with simulator work in Weissach, completed 43 laps on Thursday afternoon. It was her first 152 track kilometres in the electric racing series.

"I am very happy that this test gave me the opportunity to drive a Formula E car on the race track for the first time," says Jilkova. "The Porsche 99X Electric is really a very special car. For me it was a very fascinating experience to understand the car better lap by lap and to explore the limit."

Like all the other teams, Porsche is now shipping its equipment to Mexico City, where the starting signal for the next championship mission will be given in just over two and a half months.