Photo: Colin McMaster/FIA F3
Mercedes-Benz has called up HWA Racelab’s FIA Formula 3 Championship driver Jake Hughes for next month’s Formula E rookie test.
The in-season test takes place on Morocco’s Marrakech semi-street circuit and teams are required to run drivers who have not raced in the championship. Hughes will be making his second appearance at the test, having driven for NIO last year.
“Proud to be representing Mercedes-Benz EQ next week at the FIA Formula E Marrakech E-Prix rookie test,” said Hughes. “Looking forward to helping the team continue their impressive start.”
The Briton finished seventh in FIA F3 with HWA last year, following two seasons in GP3 and a year in European F3. Testing for FIA F3 begins in Bahrain on the same day as the FE rookie test, which may mean HWA will require a replacement.
Joining Hughes at Mercedes for the test is Dani Juncadella, the 2012 European F3 champion and 2011 Macau Grand Prix winner who is concentrating on Esports this year after losing his seat in the DTM with R-Motorsport.
Mercedes is currently in its first FE season, having taken over HWA’s entry. Its driver line-up includes reigning Formula 2 champion Nyck de Vries and 2015 GP2 dominator Stoffel Vandoorne, who are both ex-McLaren Formula 1 juniors.
Other junior single-seater stars entering the rookie test include Ferrari junior Arthur Leclerc at Venturi, W Series champion Jamie Chadwick and Super Formula-bound SF Lights champion Sacha Fenestraz at Jaguar and Alice Powell at Virgin Racing.
BMW Andretti has called on its new Indy Lights driver Kyle Kirkwood for the test, while Formula Renault Asiacup champion and Asian F3 regular Daniel Cao will have his first on-track appearance in his new role as NIO’s development driver.