A positive attitude is propelling the highly-motivated HWA RACELAB team towards the fifth race of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, which will take place this coming Sunday in Hong Kong. The official test drives after the race in Mexico proved very useful and the team now has reason to hope for an improved performance at the upcoming E-Prix.
HWA RACELAB had only just finished the Mexico City E-Prix when the team’s two drivers Gary Paffett and Stoffel Vandoorne returned to their race cars at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez just a day later. The duo completed a total of 167 laps during the official test drives on the circuit. Vandoorne recorded the second-fastest time of the entire field, underlining the potential of the VFE-05.
The new Formula E team learned a lot during the day and can now approach the HKT Hong Kong E-Prix this coming Sunday (10th March) in a positive frame of mind. The prerequisites for a smooth race day in Asia are all in place, meaning that it is well within the realms of possibility for Gary Paffett and Stoffel Vandoorne to improve on their recent 16th and 18th place finishes.
The 1.86 km circuit in Hong Kong takes drivers through the city’s harbour district, with a view of the spectacular skyline. The circuit boasts a variety of challenges, including two 180-degree turns and a 555-metre straight where the drivers can accelerate up to a top speed of 280 km/h.
Gary Paffett (37, England)
“We are continuing to make good progress. The race result in Mexico was not what we had hoped for but the test after the race was very good and productive. That was a step in the right direction and I think that our form is improving every weekend. I am looking forward to Hong Kong and to seeing the city as I have never been there before. The atmosphere with the fans in Mexico was unbelievable and I hope we will experience something similar in Hong Kong. We are still battling away for our first points and that is the goal I have set myself for Sunday.”
Stoffel Vandoorne (26, Belgium)
“This is my first time in Hong Kong and I am looking forward to seeing the city. I feel that Hong Kong is the first typical E-Prix circuit of this season, a really uncomfortable track with varying asphalt properties. The weather often poses additional challenges in Asia and can influence the race so we will have to keep an eye on that. Our general aim is to experience a smooth race weekend. We have shown that the car has the pace we need when everything comes together. Hopefully we will be able to prove that and reap the rewards at the weekend.”
Ulrich Fritz, Team Principal HWA RACELAB
“Hong Kong will be our first Formula E race in the region and the whole team is really looking forward to this fascinating city and the challenges that await us. The race in Mexico did not go as we had hoped but we did enjoy very productive testing afterwards. We were able to gather plenty of data and the guys had enough track time to try out a few things. This information should now help us in Hong Kong. Our priority is now to fix the technical problems that have often overtaken us in recent races and experience a weekend free of incidents. I am sure that everything else will follow on from that.”
Facts on the HKT Hong Kong E-Prix
Circuit: Hong Kong Harbourfront
Length: 1.86 km
Turns: 10
Race distance: 45 minutes + 1 lap
Schedule 10th March 2019
Free Practice 1: 00:30 – 01:15 (CET)
Free Practice 2: 03:00 – 03:30 (CET)
Qualifying: 04:45 – 05:21 (CET)
Super Pole: 05:30 – 05:50 (CET)
Race: 09:00 (CET)
Podium Ceremony: 10:00 (CET)
