Hartley in action as Porsche completes second Formula E test

Ex-Toro Rosso Formula 1 driver Brendon Hartley helped Porsche carry out its latest FIA Formula E test ahead of its 2019-20 entry to the championship.

The German marque completed a three-day test at the Calafat circuit in Spain, with Hartley and Neel Jani racking up more than 1000km of running between them.

Porsche will join the all-electric series for season six, while fellow German manufacturer Mercedes has already started its FE development programme ahead of its own foray into the championship in 2019-20.

“Testing the car on track has been both an enjoyable and challenging experience,” said Hartley, who was named a Porsche factory driver last winter following his F1 exit.

“It is, of course, enjoyable to drive the car, however, contributing and working with the talented group of people at Porsche on this project is also a real pleasure.”

Jani, who contested two FE races for Dragon at the start of the 2017-18 season, completed an initial shakedown test for Porsche at its test facility in Weissach last month and has already been confirmed as one of its drivers for its maiden campaign.

“I feel the tests with the Porsche Formula E car at Calafat were very positive,” he said.

“I am now looking forward to working with the team over the coming months, as we strive to get the very best out of the Porsche Formula E race car.”

Porsche FE team manager Amiel Lindesay, added: “We are satisfied with the Porsche Formula E tests at Calafat.

“We completed an extensive test programme and have laid the foundations for the coming months.”

Meanwhile, Hartley has emerged as a potential candidate to replace Fernando Alonso in Toyota’s FIA World Endurance Championship line-up for the 2019/20 season, with the two-time F1 world champion’s future in WEC uncertain beyond the current campaign.