Jordan King to replace Nyck de Vries for Berlin Formula E weekend, while Joel Eriksson/Paul Aron will race for Envision.
Mahindra Racing –
With de Vries unavailable to participate in the double-header around Tempelhof Airport due to a pre-existing commitment to race in the WEC on the same weekend, the team will utilise the services of King, one of its two existing Reserve Drivers. The 30-year-old’s extensive CV in international single-seaters includes stints in the IndyCar Series, FIA Formula 2 and FIA Formula 3.
King has previously acted as Test Driver for the Manor Racing Formula 1 team, and currently holds a simulator and development role with Alpine F1 Team. King has extensive knowledge and experience with Mahindra’s M10Electro, having already completed eight test days – plus countless hours on the team’s simulator back at base – as part of his regular duties.
In preparation for Berlin, King will also participate in the designated ‘Rookie Free Practice’ – or FP0 – ahead of Rounds 6 & 7 of the season at Misano this weekend [13-14 April]. De Vries’ team-mate Edoardo Mortara will race in Berlin, as planned. Previewing his Formula E debut, Jordan King said: “It goes without saying that I’m hugely excited to make my debut in Formula E next month in Berlin.
“It’s a team that I know inside and out after four years of working together, and a car that I’m already incredibly familiar with and helped to develop. My focus is on keeping the team’s momentum going on the development front, and of course to enjoy the opportunity to be out there racing again.”
Also present in Italy this week will be Formula 2 star Kush Maini. The Indian talent is on site in Emilia-Romagna for his first race as one of the team’s designated Reserve Drivers. His attendance will help further his development ahead of a planned outing at the Rookie Test following the Berlin E-Prix weekend.
The 23-year-old from Bangalore has enjoyed a promising start to the 2024 Formula 2 campaign, with a brace of pole positions and podium finishes from the opening six races, placing him fifth in the standings. Looking ahead to his trip to Misano, Kush Maini explains: “I’m looking forward to attending my first Formula E race as Mahindra’s Reserve Driver.
“There’s a really good synergy at the moment between the work Nyck, Edo, Jordan and I are doing, but to a large degree it has been in isolation as we all have different schedules and commitments. So, it’s going to be really beneficial, not just for the team but also me as a driver, for all four of us to be in that race weekend environment and contributing towards the team’s continued progression in the same room.”
Mahindra Racing CEO and Team Principal, Frederic Bertrand added: “Although it is frustrating to lose Nyck for a weekend because of a calendar clash, he has pre-existing commitments to honour, so we’ve known for a while now that we will need to find a solution. Jordan fits the bill perfectly, for us.
“He knows both the car and the team and has already played an integral role in our development so far this season, so there is no ‘on-boarding’ process. For Kush, Misano is a great opportunity for him to really embed himself within the race team, and then we can begin his preparation for the Berlin Rookie Test, which will be his first opportunity in the car. We’re very excited to have him there with us, and to help him progress in what will be a new car for him.”
Envision Racing –
Due to a calendar clash between the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship, Envision Racing are announcing changes to our driver line-up for Rounds 9 & 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Berlin next month. The clash that rules out Sebastien Buemi and Robin Frijns from competing in Formula E primarily affects Round 9 of the championship.
Disappointingly, FIA regulations prevent them from driving on Sunday, as the two races are considered part of the same event. After completing their WEC duties on Saturday, both drivers will be on-site in the German capital on Sunday to support the team. Looking ahead to Berlin, the team is pleased to be able to confirm that Joel Eriksson and Paul Aron will step into the cars for both races and are excited to see them take on the opportunity.
“This is a very unusual situation for us as a team, and we are obviously frustrated that the calendar clash could not be resolved by the FIA and FEO,” said Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director and CTO at Envision Racing. “However, we have to make the best of the situation, and I believe with both Joel and Paul we have two very exciting and competitive drivers.”
Eriksson, 25, is the current Jaguar TCS Racing Test, Simulator and Reserve Driver, has been kindly released by Jaguar and will race for the team during the Berlin weekend. The Swede, who tested with Envision back in 2018, has already competed in eight Formula E races to date – and is very familiar with both the GEN3 specifications and the Jaguar powertrain.
Aron, 20, is considered one of the most exciting young prospects in single-seater racing and sits second in the current Formula 2 standings for the season. The Estonian driver has already amassed three podium finishes in his first full F2 campaign this year, rapidly marking himself out as one to watch for the future.
Aron will embark on an intensive simulator programme with the team to get him as best prepared as possible for Berlin. The team has also decided to give Aron the opportunity to drive in the rookie session in Misano this week, meaning Jack Aitken will not participate in the session. The team extends its thanks to Jack for his understanding.
“It’s a great opportunity to race for Envision Racing in Berlin. I’m very much looking forward to experiencing Formula E for the first time and working with the team,” said Aron. “We’ll be working hard up until the race to prepare for the event, starting with the rookie session this week in Misano.”
Eriksson said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to be racing in Formula E again, this time with Envision Racing. After taking part in my first ever Formula E test with Envision, it’s great to be racing for them in Berlin, and we’ll be working hard together to have a successful weekend.”
With an exciting blend of Formula E experience and youthful talent now in place for Berlin, the whole team will aim to create the best possible environment in order for them to have a productive weekend. In the meantime, full focus will be on scoring the best results at the upcoming race weekends in Misano and Monaco. Envision Racing are the reigning Teams World Champions in Formula E, having amassed more podium finishes than any other team in Formula E history.
[Note: The story is as per press release]