The Road To Marrakesh

As we arrive in Marrakesh for the next leg of Season 6, our cars and equipment have been transported over 34,000km around the world after only four races.

Held at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan, the Moroccan round is not just about the race – one day of mid-season testing follows and with it, the chance to collect data as our reserve and test drivers to take to the track:

“The Marrakesh rookie test is a very helpful opportunity for the team because it provides the chance to try things that we can’t test during race day,” explains Team Manager, Delphine Biscaye.

“During the weekend, practice sessions are too short and we don’t want to lose a valuable pre-race track time by doing an extensive test. It’s important for Edo and Felipe to train to be ready for qualifying.”

With an extra day of running, additional equipment is needed for the rookie test to reduce mileage on components for future races in the year:

“At the rookie test we need some more equipment but we can’t change the car too much because of homologation,” continues Delphine.

“We get additional brake material and use non-race bodywork in case of damage. We just change the parts that we don’t want to put too much mileage on but we can’t change the batteries or motors.”

As ROKiT Venturi Racing’s Reserve Driver, Norman Nato has also been hard at work preparing for his test appearance, advancing his understanding to maximise data collection:

“I’ve been working with Venturi for nearly two years now and some of them I already knew so I have a good relationship with everyone in the team,” clarifies the 27-year-old.

“Formula E is a very difficult championship, especially with the regeneration and the recharge of the battery. Before I arrive in Marrakesh, it’s important that I know everything about the software and the car so I can really maximise our data collection.”

Aged 19, Test Driver Arthur Leclerc has also been putting the work in behind the scenes, completing countless laps of the Marrakesh circuit to be on the pace as soon as the morning session goes green.

“Both the car and the simulator are really similar surprisingly but I still have to really prepare for Marrakesh,” adds Arthur.

“My focus has been learning the circuit from my side because we have a lot of work to do. I cannot arrive at the circuit without any experience and if I know the circuit better, I can get up to speed quicker.”

With additional equipment packed up for the weekend, we’re relishing the chance to go racing in Marrakesh once more!