Formula E news - Marco Wittmann secures maiden FE run in rookie test

ByAutoSport

Updated 06/01/2019 at 17:32 GMT

Two-time DTM champion Marco Wittmann will get his first run in an ABB FIA Formula E car later this month, driving for BMW in the Marrakech rookie test.

Marco Wittmann of Germany and BMW Team RMG looks on prior to the first race of the DTM 2016 German Touring Car Championship at Hockenheimring on October 15, 2016 in Hockenheim, Germany.

Image credit: Getty Images

Wittmann, who finished fourth in the DTM standings last season, has won 11 races and both the 2014 and '16 titles since joining the series with BMW in '13.

Despite previously expressing his skepticism over the all-eletric series, he will drive the manufacturer's iFE.18 car in the official post-race test in Morocco.

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But now describing the new Gen2 machinery as "very appealing", the 29-year-old will join the likes of Sergey Sirotkin, Pietro Fittipaldi and Arthur Leclerc - brother of 2019 Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles - in the test.

"I am very excited about taking to the track in a fully-electric race car for the first time," Wittmann said.

Up to now, I have only followed Formula E from afar.

"I am fascinated to see how it feels to drive a car like the BMW iFE.18.

"I think the new Formula E cars are very appealing to us drivers. I am very much looking forward to it and am excited to see how much I enjoy it.

"My heart beats for the DTM, but I think it is important to keep broadening your horizon.

"Fortunately, BMW Motorsport has a very diverse programme, which allows us to gain experience in many different cars."

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Wittmann's BMW team-mate and 2012 DTM champion Bruno Spengler will also participate along with Audi rival Jamie Green.

Spengler, who like Wittmann has been already confirmed as part of BMW's DTM line-up for the upcoming season, participated in the equivalent test last year for Andretti.

He has also driven BMW's Gen2 machine in a test earlier this year at Calafat.

BMW won the inaugural Gen2 FE race last month with Antonio Felix da Costa, who holds a 10-point lead in the drivers' standings.

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