Strong performance from the BMW iFE.18 at Valencia.

Valencia. BMW i Andretti Motorsport kicked off the official test drives for the ABB FIA Formula E Championship at Valencia (ESP) with very good results. At the “Circuit Ricardo Tormo”, both BMW works drivers Alexander Sims (GBR) and António Félix da Costa (POR) set a best time of the day each at the wheel of their BMW iFE.18 cars. Sims was the fastest driver in the field on Tuesday, with a time of 1:17.553 minutes. On Wednesday, Félix da Costa topped the combined rankings with a best time of 1:16.977 minutes. The two drivers completed a total of 312 laps. BMW i Andretti Motorsport will continue testing on Friday.

Reactions to the first two days of testing at Valencia.

Alexander Sims (BMW i Andretti Motorsport, #27 BMW iFE.18):

“Overall, testing has gone very well for us so far. Our car is fantastic – and it felt great when I recorded the best times in both sessions on Tuesday. We will have to wait and see how much of an indicator the results of testing here will turn out to be. Nevertheless, it is great to be quick off the blocks. Compared with last year’s car, the BMW iFE.18 feels very advanced. We have more power and the new ‘Brake-by-Wire’ system in particular gives you so much more confidence in the cockpit.”

António Félix da Costa (BMW i Andretti Motorsport, #28 BMW iFE.18):

“We’ve had two good days of testing so far, on which the BMW iFE.18 made a very good impression in terms of both pace and reliability. It is just so much fun driving this car. The powertrain works perfectly. As a team, we are absolutely moving in the right direction. On Friday, we will once again be focussed on starting the season well prepared.”

Note to editors:

On Thursday, Alexander Sims and António Félix da Costa will be available for interviews between 14:00 and 15:00 CEST in the Media Center at the “Circuit Ricardo Tormo” near Valencia.