"The coolest car I've ever driven" - Fernando Barrichello thrilled after secret Formula E test in Berlin

Fernando Barrichello, son of former F1 driver Rubens, surprisingly drove a Formula E car for the first time during the rookie test in Berlin. The Brazilian was allowed to drive six laps on the track at Tempelhofer Feld - and was delighted afterwards.

On 14 July, the Formula E rookie test took place at the former Tempelhof Airport in Berlin. 22 drivers who had never taken part in an E-Prix before were given the opportunity to test the Formula E cars in two 3-hour sessions.

Another car was added at short notice during the lunch break - the Formula E demo car, driven by Fernando Barrichello, son of former Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello.

The 19-year-old Brazilian is also involved in motorsport and currently competes in the Euroformula Open Championship (comparable to Formula 3), where he most recently took victory in the second race on 20 July at the Paul Ricard circuit.

Felix da Costa had invited Barrichello

The test drive in Berlin was a rather last-minute thing, "because I actually live here and am very good friends with da Costa. He invited me to have a look", Barrichello explains exclusively to e-Formula.news. "And then I met Leticia (Wiermann Datena; journalist) and Bruno Grassi (partner & sales director of the Sao Paulo E-Prix), who gave me this opportunity."

Barrichello was impressed after the test drive: "It was incredible, simply incredible. The car is really amazing. It is very different from anything I have driven before, but it was an incredible experience."

He was allowed to complete six laps on the Tempelhof Street Circuit in the German capital, while the other rookies had lunch. "I would have been happy with just one lap", he explains. The aim of the test was to get a feel for the car.

"Formula E is definitely an option"

Although his big dream is still Formula 1, Formula E seems to have left a lasting impression. The 19-year-old wrote enthusiastically on his Instagram account @fefobarrichello: "It's definitely the coolest car I've ever driven. I have to admit that it left me with the feeling of wanting more. Who knows, maybe we'll get there one day!"

In response to our question, he confirmed his interest in the electric racing series: "My dream is to get into Formula 1 (...), but Formula E is definitely an option and I'm a big fan of this series."

There will definitely be a reunion with Formula E: Barrichello has already announced that he will be present at the season opener of the twelfth Formula E season on 6 December 2025 in Sao Paulo. He wrote on Instagram: "Soon there will be an E-Prix in Sao Paulo. I hope to see you all there!"

Before that, however, there is still the final race weekend of the eleventh season on the Formula E calendar: a double-header in London on 26 and 27 July.