Stoffel Vandoorne will come into this weekend’s double header in Spain with confidence after finally taking his first victory of the season in race two of the Rome E-Prix weekend two weeks ago.
The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team driver had scored only seven points in the opening three races of the year, with an eighth-place finish in the first race of the Diriyah E-Prix being followed by him scoring three more points with pole position for race one in Italy.
The Belgian former Formula 1 driver says this weekend’s Valencia E-Prix is going to be very different to what drivers experienced in Rome, with the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship hosting a race weekend around a permanent race circuit for the first time, although with a few modifications.
“The Valencia circuit is very different to the one we raced on in Rome,” said Vandoorne. “In fact, it’s almost the complete opposite. Rome was a narrow, bumpy street circuit while Valencia is a permanent circuit that has been slightly modified to be a little more twisty and better-suited to Formula E.
“The circuit characteristics are very different: the corners are actually pretty fast and long, making Valencia a major challenge in terms of energy management. In that respect, it’s probably one of the toughest circuits of the year, so racing will be intense and strategy will play a key role.”
Vandoorne says overtaking around Valencia should be ‘fairly easy’ but will affect energy management, but he feels Mercedes should be in for a competitive weekend.
“Overtaking should be fairly easy but will put you at a disadvantage in terms of energy management,” said the Belgian. “It’s not yet apparent where we will stand compared to the other teams.
“I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be competitive at Valencia, but we all know how unpredictable Formula E can be. Anything is possible, and I’m approaching the weekend feeling very positive.”