Latest Formula E News

Dragon Racing recruit Jacky Eeckelaert as designer

It was announced last week by the Faraday Future Dragon Racing have recruited veteran engineer Jacky Eeckelaert to its new-look team for season three of the FIA Formula E Championship.

Eeckelaert will engineer fellow Belgian Jerome d'Ambrosio at the US-entered team, which continued to test its season three Penske 701-EV car last week.
The immensely experienced engineer previously worked for the ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport, where he engineered Daniel Abt’s car and was instrumental in the team's runner-up position in season two.

Eeckelaert started his career at Ford before moving on to a succession of roles with Formula 3000 and F1 teams, including spells at DAMS, Jordan, Prost, Sauber, Honda and Super Aguri.

More recently, he worked for HRT – heading up the design of the team’s F112, the team’s final car – before moving on to the Kolles-run Lotus sportscar team and finally Abt’s DTM effort towards the end of 2012.

Faraday Future Dragon Racing has also signed Nicolas Mauduit from the Venturi team as Engineering Director.
The Frenchman has worked exclusively on the Penske 701-EV car, along with Penske stalwart Nigel Beresford, who continues as Technical Director and Race Engineer at the team.

The team is set to complete its private testing in Spain later this month.

Monteiro tests for the Mahindra Racing team in Calafat

It was announced earlier this week that WTCC front-runner Tiago Monteiro has become the latest driver to show his interest in Formula E after taking part in a test for the Mahindra Racing team at the Calafat circuit last week.

Monteiro, who is currently second in the WTCC drivers' championship, tested the Spark-Mahindra M2ELECTRO car of the Indian squad at the circuit near Barcelona, Spain.

The Portuguese driver wouldn't be drawn on details of the test, with the ex-Formula 1 driver confirming only that his primary focus remains his WTCC campaign with Honda.

Monteiro would be expected to be one of the favourites for the 2017 title following Citroen's withdrawal from the championship, as well as two-time champion Jose Maria Lopez's, who will move to Formula E with the DS Virgin Racing team.

This is dependent on Honda confirming its plans to continue its WTCC participation, with the Japanese manufacturer expected to make a decision within the next two months.

Mahindra finished fifth in season two of Formula E with Nick Heidfeld and Bruno Senna. The team has yet to confirm its driver line-up for the third season, although Heidfeld is expected to remain.

Earlier on Monday, Mahindra revealed images of a modified front wing that is expected to be used by all teams in season three.

Sarah Jones-@jonesy_laaa