Rene Rast has completed his first Gen2 test for Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler ahead of his Formula E comeback in Berlin this August.
The reigning DTM champion joins Audi as a replacement for Daniel Abt, who was dismissed from the team as a result of his esports ringer scandal, in which he hired the services of professional sim racer Lorenz Hoerzing to race in his place in a failed jest.
With one E-Prix start to his name after contesting the Season 2 Berlin E-Prix, Rast completed a test at the Lausitzring alongside Lucas di Grassi as part of his preparations for the season finale, which will see six races take place in a nine-day period.
“An open car, completely different sound and completely different focus while testing than compared to the DTM. There were a lot of new experiences during the past few days,” said Rast.
“I was very well received in the team and in Lucas I have a very open and experienced teacher at my side.
“I had a lot of fun with my first kilometers and I’m looking forward to the races in Berlin more and more every day, even if I know that it will be a huge challenge and anything but easy.”
After five rounds of the 2019/20 season, Audi currently occupies sixth in the Teams’ Championship with 46 points, 52 points adrift of current leaders DS Techeetah.
As a circuit that Audi has performed well at – recording victory for the past two seasons – the races at Tempelhof will be a key opportunity for the team to increase its points intake this season.
As such, preparation for the finale will be key according to di Grassi who is yet to win a race this season:
“After many weeks of video and telephone conferences, it was nice to be able to work with the team again in real life,” said the Season 3 champion.
“We have six races ahead of us that will decide the championship. Everything is still open and, accordingly, we want to come to Berlin perfectly prepared. The testing is an important step on the way there.”
Formula E’s six race showdown will take place on August 5/6, 8/9, 12/13 on three track configurations of the ever-popular Tempelhof venue.
