Official Formula E Gen4 test and development driver and sporting advisor to the Gen4 era, James Rossiter, has been instrumental over the last two years in pushing the new car from initial prototype, through relaibility testing and then the first wave of development.
Using his 25 year experience in motorsport, in particular his renowned technical skill in understanding vehicle dynamics and complex systems in powerful racing cars, Rossiter has been at the forefront of making the Gen4 a major step change from the current Gen3Evo package.
At Goodwood this week Formula E Notebook was among those talking to Rossiter as he attended a pivotal moment in amplifying the exciting new car to the world, and helping to explain why the car, which is capable of 205mph (335kph), 0-100kph in 1.8 seconds and 0-200kph in 4.4 seconds, with a 71% increase in power in ATTACK MODE compared to its predecessor.
“The Gen4 is just a complete game changer for me,” said Rossiter.
“It’s such a huge step in terms of innovation, in terms of the package that we’ve opened up for all of the teams to get their hands on. The engineers, the drivers, the technical ability of the car is truly something spectacular, and I think in terms of an FIA World Championship. It really sets the benchmark.”
When asked about the Goodwood runs this weekend, which will be conducted by Dan Ticktum in the test and development car, Rossiter reckoned that a comparison with Nick Heidfeld’s legendary 1999 time in a McLaren MP4/13 would be interesting.
“I think that it’s going to be exciting to see how fast it can go (at Goodwood),” he said. “We know that it’s unbelievable in acceleration. Obviously, there’s not that many corners here. However, it’s rather narrow. I know that Dan said his ‘eyes were pretty much on stalks’ in the first run that he did yesterday (Thursday). So yeah, I mean nothing’s off the table. I think that he could do something very special, but it depends on Dan’s confidence, though.”
“I think going that fast in what is really a prototype car of the championship up the hills, I’d be really excited to see if it can beat the Formula One (Nick Heidfeld 1999) lap time. up the hill. I think that has to be the benchmark.
“Pitching ourselves against anything else would be wrong but as a fellow World Championship, I think it’s correct that we should level ourselves against it.”
The Gen4 is running on some specially made Bridgestone slick tyres this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Rossiter has a great deal of experience working with the Japanese company in his time as an F1 test driver for BAR Honda and Force India, and believes that ultimately Formula E could run slicks in the future, although for Gen4 the plan is to keep all-weather rubber, albeit witha. full wet addition as well.
“It is the ultimate goal to try to get there (on slick tyres),” said Rossiter. “There’s a lot of things that need to happen in terms of unlocking technology in other areas that will enable that in the future. But having an exciting new partnership in Bridgestone and having the ability to have them put together a set of tyres to go up the hill, I think gives us a fun opportunity to see what the car capable of.
“It’s pretty cool, showcasing Bridgestone’s innovation, their technology, and what they’re capable of and an exciting opportunity for Bridgestone to activate.”
