Express.co.uk
By Ben Pringle
PASCAL WEHRLEIN is set to make his Formula E debut at the Marrakesh ePrix, having been unable to race in the first round of the season.
Former F1 driver Wehrlein will take part in his first Formula E race when the second round of the all-electric series gets underway in Marrakesh on Saturday.
Wehrlein will drive for Mahindra during the 2018/19 campaign, having previously raced for Manor and Sauber as well as enjoying a successful spell in DTM.
However, the German’s debut in Formula E was delayed with Wehrlein unable to take part in the Saudi ePrix last month due to his affiliation with the Mercedes F1 junior programme.
When asked if Wehrlein was happy to be getting used to his new car on a more traditional racetrack as opposed to the Ad Diriyah street circuit, the 24-year-old said: “No I’m not.
“I would have preferred to drive the first race. If you miss the first race, it’s not great.
“You are competing in a series and you want to compete in all the races.
“Unfortunately that was not possible but now it’s 2019 and there are a few races to go!”
Former Mahindra driver Felix Rosenqvist stepped in for the opening race of the season but did not finish while team-mate Jerome D’Ambrosio came home an impressive third.
Formula E: Da Costa wins opening race of season in Saudi
With Wehrlein’s association with Mercedes now ended, the 2015 DTM champion is ready to get to work in the new Gen2 car.
The Mahindra ace will be playing catch-up to the rest of the field but is undaunted by the challenge having switched championships regularly during his career.
“It’s really different [compared to F1] that there is no sound,” said Wehrlein.
“There are so many things in race mode that you need to consider, but in qualifying – one lap and fully pushing – it is quite similar.
The Formula E season got underway in Saudi Arabia last month (Image: GETTY)
“The car feels like a normal single seater to drive, but it’s just a bit specific because of the tyres and the downforce level.
“It feels really nice to drive and that is what’s impressed me from my first outing with it.
“I can and will adapt quickly. I changed series the last three or four years, nearly every year driving a different car and having to adapt again, and I am used to that.
“That’s not hard for me.”
Wehrlein is a former DTM champion and will split his Mahindra duties with a drive in the 2019 series (Image: GETTY)
Wehrlein will come up against several rivals from his past including ex-F1 drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Felipe Massa, who joined an already star-studded field this season.
Reigning DTM champion Gary Paffett, who raced in the German series when Wehrlein won the title, has also made the switch to Formula E.
“Formula E has a very strong driver line up and it’s challenging,” said Wehrlein.
“It’s exciting to drive against that high level, and it will be hard to be competitive, but that’s the challenge – and it’s an exiting challenge.
The 24-year-old has F1 experience with Sauber and Manor (Image: GETTY)
“My main priority is to learn as much as possible about Formula E, as fast as possible.
“I can also learn a lot from Jerome [D’Ambrosio]. He has a lot of experience in Formula E and so far we have worked really well together.
“Working with the team has also gone very smoothly so far, so there are many things to look forward to.”
Round Two of the season gets underway on January 12, and you can catch all the action with the race live on the BBC Red Button, BBC Online and YouTube.
