The surprise allowance of a second rookie driver in next week’s extra free practice session in Miami has got some teams scrambling to try and maximise a loophole in the directive to allow the extra mileage.
Formula E Notebook has learned that the FIA confirmed to teams just before Christmas that a second entered car would be allowed despite the initial rule being that only one entry per competitor could be used in the extra 40-minute session.
It is believed however that very few teams will go beyond one car, although at least one – Nissan – is known to seriously be considering running two novice drivers in its race cars.
FEN understands that there was no particular desire or lobbying for teams to have both its cars allowed to take part in the extra session. Rather that the FIA appears to have opened up the possibility in an effort to encourage more
Joining the already confirmed Ayhancan Güven at Porsche and Nikita Bedrin at DS Penske, will be Alessandro Giusti who will get a second chance to run after joining Lola Yamaha ABT at the Berlin Rookie test last July. FEN has learned though that he will be with a different team in Miami. Other well-known Formula E testers such as Kush Maini and Theo Pourchaire are also likely to be taking part in the extra rookie session.
Tyre usage is not limited in the rookie session and any of the team’s allocated sets of Hankook’s can be used during the extra session. Hankook will provide one additional set of tyres for the nominated race car number taking part in the session, to be used exclusively.
The number of laps will also not be limited. However, the use of the 4-Wheel Drive Mode and the power usage limitation provided by the battery supplier specifically for the session must be fully respected. The use of the Pit Boost is facultative and if used it must be done in accordance with the supplier usage restrictions.
Teams are set to announce their drivers later this week and in to next as the entire entry list forms. The deadline for informing the FIA and Formula E Operations is this Friday, 23rd January.
