Photo: Andretti Autosport
Formula 2 graduate David Beckmann has been called up by Andretti Autosport to make his Formula E debut at next weekend’s Jakarta E-Prix.
The 23-year-old will be standing in for fellow German driver Andre Lotterer, who has a schedule clash with testing for the Le Mans 24 Hours, and will be making two starts in the series as the Jakarta weekend is a double-header.
Beckmann has been Andretti’s reverse driver in FE since February 2022, and for this season has also been reserve driver for the works Porsche team that supplies powertrains to Andretti. He drove for Porsche in this year’s rookie test in Berlin, where he was 10th fastest.
“I’m super grateful for the opportunity to step in for Andre and represent the Andretti FE team in Jakarta,” said Beckmann.
“FE is an incredibly competitive championship, and I’m excited to showcase my capabilities in this unique racing series. I would like to thank Michael Andretti and the team for trusting me with this responsibility. I’m going to give my best to achieve a successful outcome for everyone involved.”
Beckmann raced in GP3 and then FIA Formula 3 from 2018 to 2020, winning five races and with his best championship result being fifth in the standings in his rookie season, then for 2021 he stepped up to F2.
He started the season with Charouz Racing System and made the podium on his debut at Bahrain, then picked up another podium in Baku. But budget difficulties meant he had to relinquish his seat after four rounds.
On a round-by-round basis he drove for Campos Racing at Monza and in Sochi, before dropping out of F2 again and ending up 15th in the standings despite missing two rounds.
He returned to F2 with Charouz at Imola last year as a stand-in for the injured Cem Bolukbasi, then Van Amersfoort Racing called him up to replace the suspended Amaury Cordeel at Silverstone.
A positive COVID-19 test then ruled out VAR’s other driver Jake Hughes for two rounds, which Beckmann took his place for, and after that Hughes left F2 so Beckmann got three more rounds in the car.
Alongside becoming Porsche’s FE reserve for 2023, Beckmann was signed by Jota Sport to drive its LMP2 car in the first two World Endurance Championship rounds before it took delivery of its Porsche hypercar.
Beckmann and his team-mates were class winners and seventh overall in the Sebring 1000 Miles, then came fifth in class in the Portimao Six Hours.
“David has proven himself as a highly talented driver and we are delighted to welcome him back into the team for the Jakarta E-Prix,” said Andretti’s FE team principal Roger Griffiths.
“He was part of the team in [2022] as the reserve driver and he has not only demonstrated his capabilities during the Berlin rookie test, but also throughout the Porsche Motorsport development activities. He will be an excellent replacement.”
“David’s experience in single-seater championships and as both the team’s and Porsche’s reserve driver will undoubtedly contribute to his seamless transition into the FE environment.”