Apart from the general point of interest in the fact that his father is one of the best known faces of Formula One from the 1990s and early 2000s, Fernando Barrichello brought some fascinating fresh eyes to the Gen4 Formula E programme at Goodwood last weekend.
Currently trying to navigate the cut-throat and demanding junior single-seater ladder in F3, the 20 year-old was in a very unique position of appraising the Gen4 car which he had briefly tested a few months ago ahead of the Festival.
“I had a really nice opportunity to drive it previous to this, and already could feel a lot,” he told FEN.
“And then there was a big gap between driving it the first time and now, and the car is evolving massively, so it’s really nice. I mean, the team’s been really working on it, and I think it’s growing in the right direction.
“We were actually able to test some stuff here as well, some setup stuff, which was mega. That was my main objective. I wanted to see if we could actually test some setup, and we’ve been able to test some good things and go in the right direction as well. So, I’m happy to be able to help.”
The actual sensations of driving the Gen4 have been well articulated by several experienced drivers such as James Rossiter, Antonio Felix da Costa, Dan Ticktum and Jean-Eric Vergne so far. But Barrichello, living and breathing such a new experience, when his day job is something that cornering wise is probably quite similar to F3, is a fascinating gauge.
“I think as soon as you jump in and then you go full power for the first time, it’s an instant shock,” he said.
“Because it’s such a big kick with being electrical, like the input that you get, the response is so quick, and it just keeps on going, so that that’s the most impressive thing. And also, with how controlled, everything is with the four-wheel drive and the full traction on four wheels. It’s a mega car to drive, mega.”
Barrichello is fully focused on his F3 programme with the AIX Racing. But that doesn’t mean he can’t think aloud when it comes to ambitions for later on in his career.
Formula E has done a nice line in well-known names and faces in the championship before – Jacques Villeneuve, Esteban Gutierrez, Felipe Massa and Brendon Hartley. What chance a Barrichello in the future?
“It would be a dream to get there,” he said. “I think for me, I take it one step at a time. I’m currently focused in the F3 fully because we still have half a season to go. So that’s my focus for the moment, and these opportunities with Jag have been popping up, which have been amazing. I’m really grateful to have this opportunity to be in the team and to be integrated, and hopefully more of those come by.”
