Matt Brabham will be back in action in Punta del Este this weekendThis will be Brabham's second consecutive Formula E start for Andretti Formula-E
Matt Brabham will fulfill his reserve driver duties for the Andretti Formula-E team for this weekend’s Uruguayan ePrix in the seaside town of Punta del Este.
It will be his second consecutive start in the FIA’s all electric series after racing last month in Malaysia, where he qualified inside the top 10 and established one of the fastest laps of the race.
This Saturday’s race will see him line up for the American team alongside the highly rated Jean-Eric Vergne, who last month completed the Formula 1 season with Scuderia Toro Rosso.
With a limited lead-up to Malaysia, Brabham relished the challenge and has more time to acclimatise to Uruguay having already arrived in Punta del Este - a picturesque resort town considered the Monaco of South America.
Cool conditions are expected to favour the power units attached to the Spark-Renault 01_E machines.
Through his reserve driver role at Andretti Formula-E, Brabham is relishing the opportunity he has been handed to work with Vergne and learn from the Frenchman.
Formula E is the world’s first all electric racing series, conducted on a number of street circuits around the world with practice, qualifying and racing all in a single day. Drivers are required to change cars midway through the race.
The Series has a strong emphasis on fan involvement - particularly through FanBoost - a voting system whereby fans vote for their favourite driver through the Championship website (www.fiaformulae.com) - the three most popular drivers are awarded a five second boost for use throughout the race.
The link between the two famous racing dynasties - Brabham and Andretti - continues in Punta del Este. The 20-year-old grandson of Sir Jack Brabham finished fourth in the Indy Lights Series in the US this year, winning the Grand Prix of Indianapolis.
BEHIND THE SPARK - MATT BRABHAM:
“It is a great opportunity to be back in Formula E with Andretti once again,” said Brabham.
“Sharing the garage with Jean-Eric will be an awesome learning experience. He is very highly rated and comes fresh from a season in Formula 1.
“As part of my reserve driver role with the team, it is a really big step up for me to be alongside someone that has literally just stepped out of an F1 car, but I want to take the time to work with him and the Andretti Formula-E team and learn as much as I can, as well as chase a solid result.
“I learnt so much last time out - the Formula E field is full of drivers that I followed closely on television as a kid. To be in the thick of it rubbing wheels with them was an absolute thrill.
“Andretti have proven they are one of the best teams in the field when it comes to strategy. That didn’t come into play too much with the safety cars in Putrajaya, but we’re hoping it can this weekend - a FanBoost would be nice as well!
“I can’t thank Michael Andretti and the team enough for this opportunity.”
