Fresh from the podium of the DTM, Feller will make his debut for the ABT CUPRA team at the Berlin Rookie Test on 13 May. The 23-year-old Swiss will take over the number 51 car for one day, which is normally driven by Nico Mueller in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
“We have already experienced victories and many great moments with Ricardo in the DTM – so he has more than earned his trip into the electrified world and we are all looking forward to seeing him in the Formula E car,” says ABT CEO and Team Principal Thomas Biermaier, who already has his driver’s tasks in mind: “Ricardo is a great race driver, he knows the team well and will certainly be able to support us perfecty in our test program – but of course he should also have a lot of fun during the day in Berlin.”
Feller is in his third year in the DTM for ABT and started the new season with a podium finish at Oschersleben last weekend. “I immediately said yes when the team approached me with the rookie idea – it will certainly be a completely new and exciting experience,” says Feller, who last competed in a formula car in 2016.
To prepare for the new challenge, Feller will spend a day at the simulator in Kempten to familiarize himself with the track in Berlin and the car’s systems. “I’ve been following the team’s upward trend closely and now I’m looking forward to being a part of it. I want to help with the development – if my times in Berlin are reasonably good, that’s even better.”
The test day, with three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon, will take place on Monday after the World Championship double-header at the former Tempelhof Airport. Feller will be joined by 19-year-old German Tim Tramnitz, who completed the test day in Berlin last year and a Free Practice session at Misano this season. Both youngsters will spend the entire weekend with the team to learn the ropes.
What classifies as a rookie?
To be able to take part in the session, drivers must hold either a full E-Licence or at the least a Free Practice only E-Licence. They also can’t have taken part in a Formula E race weekend, so there is no chance you’ll be able to qualify for the session if you’ve already got race experience from a previous E-Prix, for example.
They will also need to complete a specific training session on electrical safety, understand the features of the fully-electric Formula E car, and know the technical and sporting regulations for the championship.
From the various test days given to teams over the season, a maximum of two of the six official days can be reserved for rookie drivers. They can only participate in up to two official test days.
Why do drivers take part?
For those curious about electric racing and competing in the world's leading electric racing championship, it is a fantastic opportunity to try it out first-hand. With the grid always being packed to the brim with such a high standard of talent, finding a seat can be a challenge - so much so, journalists and drivers alike have called the Formula E field the best in motorsport. However, you’re more likely to get the attention of the big bosses if you impress in the test.
Since the last rookie test in 2020, several drivers have made the step up to a full-time race seat. Jaguar TCS Racing’s Nick Cassidy, Nissan’s Sacha Fenestraz, NEOM McLaren’s Jake Hughes, Andretti's Norman Nato and ERT's Sergio Sette Camara all qualified as rookies last time out and are now some of the brightest stars on the grid.