Season 9 Champion Dennis completes F1 Free Practice run

Alongside his Formula E commitments for Andretti,Jake Dennis also works for the Red Bull Racing team as their development and simulator driver. 

His efforts have helped the team win the F1 Constructors’ Championship twice in 2022 and 2023, as well as see Max Verstappen win three back to back drivers’ titles. Dennis, who joined the team in 2018, has been balancing his Red Bull role alongside his dedication to the all-electric championship. 

To reward him for his efforts and hit the rookie quota in the regulations, Red Bull gave Dennis a chance to show his talents in Verstappen’s car during Friday’s first practice in Abu Dhabi ahead of the Grand Prix. The 28-year-old finished the session in 16th, and used the time to get familiar with the RB19. 

Dennis has made it clear that his focus is still full on Formula E, as he returns as the reigning champ when we head to Mexico City for the first round of Season 10 on 13 January. It’s a circuit he knows well, winning the E-Prix there last year and kick-starting his run towards his first Formula E drivers’ title. 

Standing tall at 187cm (6ft1), Dennis also joked at how he had to squeeze himself into the car. “I did my seat fit and I was like, 'let's move the pedals forward’,” Dennis told SkySports. He was told that was the maximum room he had with Verstappen standing at a shorter 181cm (5ft9). “It was a bit tight, so we had to make some modifications to the seat and squeeze me in!”

Looks like Jake Dennis struggles follow him around, even away from the world of Formula E.