Ahead of the Rookie Test in Madrid, The Girls Who – Motorsport spoke with Dutch talent Richard Verschoor about his upcoming time in the all-electric race craft. With the Rookie Test marking Verschoor’s first time in the GEN3 Evo, he offered what his debut would entail and how he can help the team.

A Learning Curve for the Dutch

Verschoor was honest about the beginning of his journey into Formula E, admitting that, at first, it was ”quite tough to learn everything on such short notice”. A whole new setup for the rookie meant that preparation time was crucial for maximum progress on the day of testing. When asked about the challenges that went into his preparation for his time out on track, he explained that he ”didn’t know anything about the systems and all the controls”.

The complexity of the GEN3 Evo cars become quite evident when a driver first enters the car. He had to quickly adjust to new concepts, from a different steering wheel to the intensity of a different powertrain. However, the Verschoor pays tribute to the Lola, adding ”I followed them this weekend, so I feel like I’m ready.”

Though he spent invaluable time in the simulator, the transition to on-track remains a challenge. Compared to other rookies who had prior experience in the GEN3 Evo, Verschoor acknowledged that ”for me as a driver, I don’t really know how to push it yet.” Stepping outside his comfort zone, Verschoor acknowledges that he will have to sacrifice raw speed for an efficient drive to pull the most from the car. Even though the uncertainty of the car may be a barrier for him, he adds, ”But it will be a nice experience”, reaffirming his excitement for the session ahead.

Verschoor notes that he must adapt to a different way of driving to mirror the different software he is using. Where there is less to think about in a Formula 2 car, which he has previously raced in, there are more attributes to think about in the GEN3 Evo. He explains, ”It’s a bit of a different driving style than what I’m used to, so a bit of a different approach when I’m on track.” Verschoor knows that he must be more calculated with his track decisions.

Team Player over Personal Growth

Verschoor admits his time on track will primarily focus on aiding the team, with personal development becoming his second priority. Speaking to The Girls Who – Motorsport, he underlines how he will support the team, helping them with ”anything, anywhere, and in order to do that, [he] must be on the limit.” For Verschoor, getting into tune with the car as soon as possible by improving performance every lap is essential to gathering valuable information. His mention of being ‘on the limit’ highlights his ambition to push the boundaries of an unfamiliar car to gather the right information to progress in the championship.

He emphasises his goal of contributing to the team, stating that his goal would be to ”give some good feedback and move forward with the team”. Lola is a team that would benefit most from this feedback. Compared to where they were last year, they have made an improvement by obtaining crucial points that contribute to a competitive championship. Feedback from Verschoor is what will help develop them and push them to fight for positions during races.

What This Means to Young Talents

Formula E has been very transparent with its goals of giving young drivers the platform to gain experience in a fast-paced championship, with the Rookie Test as an example of that. Verschoor speaks about what an opportunity like this means for him, explaining, ”For me, it’s a very good opportunity to develop myself as a driver, so I’m happy that I can do this. I can take this opportunity, and of course, thanks to Lola Yamaha for giving it to me.”

A Future for Verschoor?

Although Verschoor’s first outing in a Formula E car comes to an end, he may have unlocked a new chapter to his motorsport career. With the GEN4 era approaching, Formula E will extend their grid with new teams. Finishing the two sessions in P13 with an impressive time of 1:31:015, Verschoor has announced himself in the electric world. While we wait to see where this opportunity leads, adjusting to these new settings may be the stepping stone needed for Verschoor to progress in this series.