Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Penske, DS E-Tense FE23 Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, DS E-Tense FE23
DS Penske becomes the ninth team to announce their lineup for the Berlin Rookie test, bringing in Robert Shwartzman and Will Stevens.
The test will see Stevens return to single-seaters following his stint in F1 with Manor Marussia in 2015. He returned to Formula One in 2018 as a development driver for McLaren F1, a role he continues to hold.
The Briton has claimed 24 Hours of Le Mans wins in both the GTE AM and LMP2 classes and is the reigning WEC LMP2 champion with Jota. This year, Stevens will step up to the Hypercar category with the delayed Hertz Team Jota Porsche entry.
LMP2 winners Roberto Gonzalez (MEX) / Antonio Felix Da Costa (POR) / Will Stevens (GBR) #38 Jota Oreca celebrate on the podium. 12.06.2022. FIA World Endurance Championship, Round 3, Le Mans 24 Hours Race, Le Mans, France, Sunday – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] – copy of publication required for printed pictures. Every used picture is fee-liable. © Copyright: XPB Images
“This is completely different from any other race series I’ve been in, but I am hoping my experience in many other categories will give me a head start as a rookie.”
“I have a sense of what the car is like from the work I have done in the simulator so far and look forward to the challenge ahead. I am curious to try it first hand, especially around such a unique track that is Berlin.”
The Formula E Gen3 car will join a long list of cars Shwartzman has tested since he left Formula 2 in 2021. The Russian-Israeli driver has participated in two post-season tests in Formula One as well as both of Ferarri’s rookie FP1s in 2022.
A graduate of the Ferarri driver academy, he has joined a long list of the programme’s graduates to look overseas, completing an IndyCar test with Chip Ganassi in January 2023.
Robert Shwartzman (RUS) / (ISR) Ferrari Reserve Driver. 04.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Qualifying Day. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Images
“This championship is a very interesting, growing platform, it has quite a different approach compared to other racing series but that’s why it’s fascinating.”
As a driver, I’m always keen to be able to gain experience with different cars and this test offers me the chance to try a new kind of single-seater in a year that sees me involved in Formula 1 as third driver and in GT racing as an official driver of Ferrari.”
Keyword: DS Penske announce rookie test lineup of Stevens and Shwartzman