Arthur Leclerc took part in the Formula E Berlin Rookie Test with Maserati MSG this past weekend. The Monegasque driver’s prior involvement with the team created a solid foundation to built on together as the Monaco-based team is quite familiar with the racing driver.
Leclerc back in an FE car after five years
Leclerc is not new to the world of Formula E as the 24-year-old partook in past tests such as the Marrakech Rookie Test back in 2019. Notably, he also held the role as Maserati’s development driver back when they went under the name Venturi. However, the past few years, Leclerc went in a different direction as he took up endurance racing. The Monegasque currently competes with AF Corse in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. Additionally, he remains in his role as the F1 Scuderia Ferrari Development Driver, which he has held since 2024.
Speaking in the Berlin Rookie Test Press Conference, attended by FFN, Leclerc revealed that being back in a Formula E car felt “completely new” when returning after five years.
“It’s been quite a long time, five years, so a lot of things changed. It felt completely new today. Five years that I’m not anymore at all in this Formula E world. I had to discover a lot of things, a lot of new systems, not the same person because it was not true before.”
“So yeah, it was quite good, this experience this morning. The 350 is feeling quite nice as well with the four wheels drive. It’s a different way to drive, but it felt really good.”
The evolution of the FE cars
Last time Leclerc found himself behind the wheel of a Formula E car, it was the Venturi VFE05. Which means that it was a Gen2 FE car. The Monégasque was asked about the jump from the Gen2 to the Gen3 car, in which he expressed the huge differences between the two, stating:
“It’s changing quite a lot. I mean, it’s just two completely different cars. You can feel that this one has a lot more potential. As well, the way that we were using in the race to regenerate the battery are completely different.”
“Now it’s a completely different strategy, a completely different way to do it as before we were doing it with a paddle. There is many, many things, many other as well settings that we can do in the steering wheel on the battery that is helping you a lot with the balance. I have to say, cannot really compare them.”
Additionally, as a native to Monaco, the Leclerc remains hopeful to give the FE car a go around the narrow Monte Carlo streets, expressing:
“That would be amazing. Obviously, I try to be here when I can, when there is the Formula E Grand Prix in Monaco. This year I couldn’t but I hope one day it will happen.”
The endurance racing driver has plenty of experience in different racing categories, and has had the pleasure of trying out a vast sea of motorsport. It could be interesting to see if Leclerc will eventually make a jump full-time to Formula E, or if he will remain in the thrill of endurance racing for the near future.
