Pascal Wehrlein completes first test with TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team

TAG Heuer Porsche's new signing Pascal Wehrlein racked up the kilometres in a first test outing with the team last week, as the squad gathered vital data for the development of its Season 7 powertrain.

Wehrlein, who steps in at Porsche in place of the outgoing Neel Jani, made himself familiar with the 99X Electric at a two-day test in Germany alongside Andre Lotterer.

The pair covered 688 kilometres, gathering valuable data that will feed into the development of the new powertrain the Stuttgart manufacturer is planning to implement next season.

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"The team has given me a warm welcome," said Wehrlein. "I felt right at home from the word go. It was nice to be back in a Formula E car after almost six months away and it is a fantastic feeling to experience the acceleration and forces again.

"There was obviously a lot for me to learn in a new team and with the new car. Generally speaking, I have a very good feeling in the Porsche 99X Electric. I must now continue to get used to everything.”

'Moving in the right direction'

Porsche wasted no time in hitting the race-track again after Berlin, as it seeks to push on from a promising debut season in Formula E. 

Andre Lotterer secured a podium in its maiden outing in Diriyah and another at Tempelhof on the way to a creditable eighth in the Drivers' running - with the German marque also winding up in eighth spot in the Teams' Championship.

Lotterer feels his new team-mate can add a valuable new perspective throughout Porsche's vital pre-season testing programme.

“The break after the races in Berlin was a short one," said the 38-year-old. "It was an extremely productive test and, at the same time, it was interesting to see what experience Pascal has brought with him from his time in Formula E. The cooperation with him has been good and the development for Season 7 gives me great optimism.”

Head of Formula E Operations for Porsche, Amiel Lindesay, added: “It was a very successful first test – so soon after the end of our first Formula E season. We tested the powertrain for the coming year and made some valuable findings.

"Everything we have to sort for Season 7 is moving in the right direction. This is confirmed by both the data we have gathered and the feedback from the drivers. Details in the areas of hardware and software will make all the difference. We are on track, but still have a lot of work ahead of us.

"It was obviously also a nice moment to see Pascal Wehrlein sitting behind the wheel of the Porsche 99X Electric for the first time. He is coming in from a different team and brings his experience with him. His feedback was very positive and we are looking forward to working with him.”