Jake Hughes has broken the indoor land speed Guinness World Record in a specially modified Gen3 car, ahead of this weekend’s 2023 Formula E season finale in London.
The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team driver went up against Lucas Di Grassi in a duel to try and beat the world record at the ExCeL Centre, which will play host once again to the London E-Prix double-header.
Both drivers were behind the wheel of the same GENBETA car, which is a special innovation created by the FIA and Formula E. The GENBETA car is a specially modified Gen3 car, which boasts 400kW of power rather than the maximum 350kW usually available to the drivers.
50kW was available in the front motor whilst 350kW was available in the rear-axle motor, giving the car all-wheel drive. The batteries for the world record attempt were charged by Formula E title sponsor ABB.
The GENBETA car also runs on softer Hankook iON race tyres, which were specially designed to maximise grip and offer both Hughes and Di Grassi better traction whilst accelerating.
As well as that, the incredible vehicle also boasts different front wing endplates and wheel fins to what is used in the all-electric series, whilst the car was also fitted with a wind deflector.
All the bodywork modifications were created through 3D printing and developed by Formula E principal partner SABIC. The modifications were made from a circular, more sustainable thermoplastic solution than what is typically used in Formula E.
Both drivers also received help from Google Cloud, which fed information and recommendations through artificial intelligence. The AI informed the duo on when to apply power and how to improve their top speed, something Hughes and Di Grassi were able to analyse between their attempts.
Both drivers received three practice attempts and one official run, which saw them begin from a static start before getting on the power. For the record attempt to be legal, they had to come to a complete stop inside the same building in which they started in.
The record attempt took place Tuesday evening, ahead of this weekend’s season finale. Hughes ultimately defeated Di Grassi and destroyed the previous record, which measured at 102.65 mph. Hughes’ official run clocked in at 135.9 mph, making him the new Guinness World Record holder for fastest indoor land speed.
Hughes was “very honoured” to have been involved in the record attempt using the GENBETA car, with him feeling a “massive sense of pride” in having become the new record holder.
“Driving the GENBETA car and setting the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the fastest speed achieved by a vehicle indoors was a really special experience,” Hughes said.
“I feel very honoured to have been asked and to be involved in such an exciting project. It wasn’t something I ever imagined I’d have the opportunity to even attempt, so now to hold the record is pretty incredible, especially in a Formula E car.
“I didn’t realise how much I wanted this record until I saw Lucas [Di Grassi] trying to break the record after me. When I was announced I was the record holder I felt a massive sense of pride.”
Jeff Dodds, Formula E CEO, was quick to congratulate the McLaren driver on smashing the record, which showed the “incredible potential of EVs”.
“Huge congratulations to Jake and big thanks to Lucas for competing together to smash a world record and showcase the incredible potential of EVs,” Dodds said.
“Everyone involved in the GENBETA project is driven by the same goal of pioneering innovation and development in EV technology and bringing that game-changing tech to the cars we drive on city streets to create a cleaner, electric future.”
