The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team is well prepared for its third season in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. At the official test drives in Valencia, the team from Weissach got the finishing touches. André Lotterer (GER) and Pascal Wehrlein (GER) covered a total of 1,321 kilometres with the Porsche 99X Electric. Season 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship kicks off on 28-29 January 2022 with two races in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

At the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, all eleven teams were in action with their regular drivers. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team used the five test sessions on the 3.376-kilometre track for a final endurance test with the Porsche 99X Electric. The software of Porsche's first electric car was further developed by the engineers in Weissach, while there are no changes to the powertrain. Due to the pandemic, the FIA had decided that only one drive may be homologated for cost reasons for seasons 7 and 8.

At the last test before the start of the season in Diriyah, André Lotterer completed a total of 610 test kilometres in the Porsche 99X Electric with start number 36. His team-mate Pascal Wehrlein drove 711 kilometres with his new starting number 94.

One of the most important points in the extensive test programme was the simulation of the new qualifying format for Season 8. In the future, the 22 drivers will initially take to the track in two groups. They have 220 kW of power available and can complete any number of laps in twelve minutes. The four fastest of each group will reach the quarter-finals, the others occupy the starting positions 9 to 22. From the quarter-finals, two drivers will fight in a direct duel (knockout system) to advance. The first of group 1 competes against the fourth of group 2, the second of group 1 against the third of group 2, etc. In the semi-finals and in the final, the drivers can each fall back on 250 kW of power. The winner of the final will start from pole position and will receive three championship points as before.

Comments after the test drives

Amiel Lindesay (Head of Operations Formula E):

"For us, this test was the dress rehearsal for the first two races in Diriyah. We were preparing for the start of the season for the third time in Valencia and the whole team was happy to be back at the track. Everything went well. We were able to build on the progress we made last season and complete our testing programme as planned. This also included the simulation of the new qualifying format. We welcome the new regulation. It ensures more fairness and that in the end the fastest driver really starts from pole position. From Valencia we go home with a lot of data and also with new insights. We will now analyse this thoroughly. Then the new season can begin. The team, the drivers and the Porsche 99X Electric are ready. We will be very well prepared to start in Saudi Arabia."

André Lotterer (Porsche 99X Electric #36):

"That was a good test. For us drivers and the team, it was especially important to finally work on a real race track again after our time in the simulator. There will be no further testing opportunities before the season opener in Diriyah. All the more important was every kilometre we drove in Valencia. I see the innovations in qualifying and race format as positive. They make Formula E even more interesting for the fans. Together with our engineers, we have made some improvements in the software and setup for Season 8. We were now able to test them extensively on the track. This has confirmed that we are on the right track."

Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche 99X Electric #94):

"I enjoyed being back in the race car after the long break. In Season 8, we can expect some innovations both in qualifying and in the race. It was good that we were able to train them here before. For me, the innovations definitely make sense. It makes many things easier and clearer, for the drivers and also for the spectators. In Valencia, we completed an extensive test program and collected a lot of data. We will analyse them in the coming weeks, draw the right conclusions and make our car even faster until the first race. We are ready for Diriyah."