The DS Automobiles DS E-TENSE FE23 cars put on a strong show at Valencia pre season test

• Pre-season testing for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship drew to a close in Valencia (Spain) this afternoon
• The two DS E-TENSE FE23 cars driven by reigning champion Stoffel Vandoorne, and Jean-Eric Vergne – the only two-time champion in the history of the series – demonstrated a solid performance as the 22 third-generation cars took to the track for the first time
• The first race of Season 9 will take place in Mexico on January 14 next year

The traditional pre-season tests for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship took place at the famous Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain, from December 13-16.

Throughout seven timed sessions, the 11 teams entered for Season 9 went head-to-head in their all-electric, third-generation, fully-electric single-seaters for the first time. It was a true baptism of fire from which the DS PENSKE team emerged with some strong performances courtesy of Stoffel Vandoorne and Jean-Eric Vergne in the DS E-TENSE FE23. The reigning champion and two-time title-holder in Formula E both placed their new single-seaters developed by DS Performance towards the top of the time sheets, despite some fierce competition.

These results proved to be very encouraging for DS Automobiles and its partner PENSKE AUTOSPORT before the first race of Season 9, which will take place in Mexico on January 14, 2023.

Eugenio Franzetti, director of DS Performance:

“After having worked very hard on the development of the DS E-TENSE FE23, the Valencia tests have finally taken place. There, it was possible for us all to come together and to begin to understand the performance of our competitors. It was an intense weekend that gave us some very positive signs but also showed us that the level of competition will be extremely high and that Season 9 is set to be very closely-fought!”

Stoffel Vandoorne, reigning Formula E champion:

“It was really exciting to be back in Valencia for these pre-season tests! The sessions were extremely positive for us. We learned a lot of things about our new car. Now we have a good base from which to tackle the first race of the season in Mexico!”

Jean-Éric Vergne, 2018 and 2019 Formula E champion:

“Everything went very well! I’m happy with the car and with all the work that has been carried out with the team. These test days are very important to analyse data and work out how we can improve. Of course we need to keep on working but I feel confident as our performance was very good here.”

Key figures since DS Automobiles entered Formula E:

• 89 races
• 4 championship titles
• 15 victories
• 44 podiums
• 22 pole positions

PRESS CONTACTS

DS Performance : Nathalie Dumas  +33 (0) 6 60 26 10 37 –nathalie.dumas@external.stellantis.com

DS Automobiles : Benjamin Maigre  + 33 (0) 6 75 58 80 41 – benjamin.maigre@dsautomobiles.com