Jaguar, Virgin announce line-ups for Marrakesh FE rookie test

Pietro Fittipaldi and Harry Tincknell will drive for Jaguar during the Formula E rookie test in Marrakesh.

The second in-season test of 2018/19 takes place on January 13, directly following the second round of the championship in Marrakesh.

Fittipaldi, who missed much of 2018 as he recovered from breaking his legs in an accident during the Spa round of the World Endurance Championship, will get his first outing in Jaguar’s Gen2 machinery, having previously driven for the British team at last year’s rookie test.

The 22-year-old Brazilian was recently named as Haas’ Formula 1 test driver for the 2019 season.

"I am excited to drive the Gen2 Formula E car, which will be a big step up with more power and more grip,” Fittipaldi said.

"I am looking forward to seeing how it feels on track. I've heard many good things about the Jaguar I-Type 3.

"I am there to help the team develop the car as much as we can throughout the test day - so I am looking forward to it.”

Tincknell, who is regular for Ford in WEC’s GTE class, has also previously tested for Jaguar but is yet to drive its I-Type 3 Gen2 car. The Briton took part in last year’s Marrakesh rookie test for NIO and carried out a development role with the team.

“Jaguar gave me my first laps in a Formula E car and I'm very grateful to be testing the new Gen2 car with them," said Tincknell.

"It is a great opportunity for me and I hope to use my previous Formula E experience to do the best job possible.

"With in-season testing being limited, I really want to maximise the day for the team and contribute to the development of the Jaguar I-Type 3 after its strong double points finish to start season five with Mitch and Nelson.”

Virgin to run Treluyer and De Vries

Meanwhile, Virgin Racing has confirmed it will field three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Benoit Treluyer and Formula 2 racer Nyck de Vries during the test.

The pair will take over from team regulars Sam Bird and Robin Frijns in Virgin’s Audi-powered cars for the one-day test. It will mark an official Formula E debut for 42-year-old Treluyer, who last raced in single-seaters back in 2009.

“It’s great to be given such an opportunity and I’m very much looking forward to be working with the Envision Virgin Racing team,” Treluyer added.

“I know the team has a lot planned for the test so I’m eager to get my head down and ensure they come away with the best possible data to aid them for the remainder of the Formula E season.”

Full Marrakesh rookie test line-up: 

2. Nyck de Vries, Envision Virgin Racing
3. Pietro Fittipaldi, Jaguar Racing 
4. Benoit Treluyer, Envision Virgin Racing 
5. Daniel Juncadella, HWA RACELAB
6. TBA, GEOX DRAGON
7. Antonio Fuoco, GEOX DRAGON
8. Jamie Chadwick, NIO Formula E Team
11. Jamie Green, Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler
16. TBA, NIO Formula E Team 
17. Raffaele Marciello, HWA RACELAB
19. Arthur Leclerc, Venturi Formula E Team 
20. Harry Tincknell, Jaguar Racing
22. Mitsunori Takaboshi, Nissan e.dams
23. Jann Mardenborough, Nissan e.dams
25. James Rossiter, DS Techeetah 
27. Bruno Spengler, BMW Andretti 
28. Marco Wittmann, BMW Andretti 
36. Tatiana Calderon, DS Techeetah 
48. Norman Nato, Venturi Formula E Team
64. Sergey Sirotkin, Mahindra Racing 
66. Nico Muller, Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler
94. Sam Dejonghe, Mahindra Racing