The latest recruit to the FIA Formula E Championship is a familiar face. Ho-Pin Tung, the new test and reserve driver for Jaguar Racing, took part in three ePrix for China Racing in season one, and he also tested the Spark-Renault SRT_01E during its development phase, as a result he is almost uniquely qualified for his new position…
Q: The cars have changed a lot since season one, what do you think about the way they have changed?
A: First of all, with the new manufacturers coming in and developing their own drivetrains, I think it’s not just the motor and the drivetrain that has changed, it’s also the management of these systems and making optimal use of the energy that’s available to you. And from that perspective the cars have changed a lot – the tyres have changed for this season – so many things have changed, but in essence it’s still the same chassis and we still have the same energy to use.
Q: Will you be at the races and what will your role be at the track?
A: I will be there in a supporting role. I think it’s important for the team to have the reserve driver there as they do in many other series and to give a driver's perspective to the engineering side during the sessions. I’ll be behind the scenes with the engineers to help catch up with any performance. We shouldn’t forget that we are a new team, so technically two years behind the other teams, so we have some catch-up games to play.
Q: There is a very limited amount of testing, will there be much opportunity to drivethe car?
A: Hopefully. But I don’t know yet. It’s to be decided.
Q: So you’ll be free to carry on racing in LMP2?
A: Absolutely. One of the great things about Formula E is that it is almost a standalone calendar, so the drivers are free to do other things, but having said that when I got the chance to join Jaguar and to rejoin the Williams family, it was a chance I wanted to grab with both hands. To be part of an iconic brand – especially with Panasonic joining too – I think it’s a great opportunity and it’s a great honour to be here.
Q: You know Adam Carroll from GP2, but how are you getting on with Mitch Evans?
A: We have already spent a lot of time together. And I think his results speak for themselves. He’s a hugely fast driver, young and promising and I think both Adam and myself bring a lot of experience to the table, so I think it’s a nice mixture with a lot of experience from different racing series, which will hopefully help the team move forward.