1st Dec 2021: All three NIO 333 Formula E Team drivers – Oliver Turvey, Dan Ticktum and Adam Carroll – took to the racetrack at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain this week to complete a varied schedule of running at the official FIA Formula E World Championship three-day test.
It was the only opportunity for the entire Formula E field of 2022 to run together ahead of the Season 8 opening event in Diriyah next month.
In generally good weather conditions, with only a damp start at the beginning of the last day, the NIO 333 squad executed a varied test programme primarily focussing on control systems, qualifying and race performance.
A total of 1417.9 kms were completed by Oliver (#3 NIO 333 001), Dan and Adam, who shared driving duties in the #33 NIO 333 001.
Oliver Turvey – car 3 NIO 333 001 (All Days)
“We tried a lot of things over the three days here in Valencia. These days were crucial considering the limited amount of testing we’ve had between Seasons 7 and 8. I believe that we have improved the car, but the level of competition is very high, and we still need to find a little bit more. We’ll take all the learnings from this test and put together the best package we can for Diriyah, but we have made a positive step and hopefully that will benefit us on the street tracks next year and we can start the season strongly.”
Dan Ticktum – car 33 NIO 333 001 (Monday – Tuesday)
“My first taste of Formula E was good I would say. It was tough, that’s for sure, and a big challenge as I expected. There’s so much to it and unfortunately two days is not a long time to learn, but I felt like I made good progress. The regen concept is very new for someone like me, so it’s definitely going to take a while to get used to that, but I’ll do my best and I’m looking forward to the start of the season already.”
Adam Carroll – Development and Reserve Driver – car 33 NIO 333 001 (Thursday)
“It was a positive experience and very good for me to get out in the car. I was trying to get close to Oliver on my side, which was going to be hard in one day and I didn’t quite get there, but the main thing I was trying to achieve was an overall understanding of the car. Now I can increase my feedback and work with the team to extract as much performance as possible. The team is working really hard and, as we know, the Championship’s extremely tough and competitive. When you add this on top of all the technology that Formula E contains, it’s a different kind of level altogether. It’s an extreme challenge for everyone involved, but the team is going to work very, very hard, keep pushing forward and improving all season.”
Russell O’Hagan, Deputy Team Principal & COO, NIO 333 Formula E Team
“It’s been a productive week here in Valencia with some good running and a lot of lessons learnt. We leave feeling quite pleased with the improvements made in the consistency of our car feel and race pace, but with some unanswered questions on how to maximise our single lap performance. We are armed with plenty of data so we’ll redouble our efforts in that area heading in to Diriyah.
On a team level I want to say a big thank you to the crew and drivers for their ongoing dedication and to the constructive environment they provide one another with to continue on our journey for improved performance. There is certainly more to come from NIO 333.”
The NIO 333 FE 001 cars are now being shipped straight from Spain to Diriyah for the first two races of the eighth ABB FIA Formula E World Championship on 28th and 29th January 2022.
