Carlos Sainz has offered his verdict on Formula E's new Gen4 car, which will be introduced next season, deeming the championship's game-changer "pretty impressive".
The Williams F1 driver recently visited the all-electric series during its Monaco E-Prix, with Lando Norris, Gabriel Bortoleto, Nico Hülkenberg, Oliver Bearman, Flavio Briatore and Christian Horner also in attendance.
Comparisons between F1 and Formula E are increasing considerably, not only because of the new power unit regulations in the former, but also because of the latter's new car.
The performance gap between the two categories is set to close significantly when the Gen4 is introduced competitively in December, with it expected to be less than five seconds slower than an F1 car around Monaco.
It is the fastest-accelerating FIA single-seater in the world, reaching 100 km/h in 1.8 seconds, 30 per cent faster than a current F1 car, and is capable of completing a qualifying lap without lift and coast. With a top speed of 335 km/h (208 mph) and a power output of 600 kW (815 bhp), it is edging much closer to F1 levels of performance.
"I had a look at the Gen4. It looks pretty impressive," Sainz told Formula E's broadcast.
"It’s good to see some friends here, I have a lot of friends from motorsport who are in Formula E, and a lot of talented drivers and I’m very happy to see them competing here and giving their best."
Formula E is a category followed by many F1 drivers, not only because of the friendships between the two paddocks.
Many F1 drivers, including Sainz, are fans of Formula E because of its quality of racing, which often features hundreds of overtakes. Across the Monaco double-header alone, there were 382 overtakes.
"I think Formula E is a great category - it’s always a good show, always some exciting racing, always a bit of bumping," added Sainz.
"It reminds me a little of go karting which is one of my favourite categories. I love watching the races."
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