Formula E Gen4 handed 'just unbelievable' F1 comparison

Formula E official Gen4 test driver James Rossiter has described its new car as "just unbelievable" and compared the sensation of driving it to F1's famous V10s from 2000 to 2005.

The all-electric series officially launched its new car on Tuesday afternoon at Circuit Paul Ricard, with the event offering media, including RacingNews365, a first chance to see the car on track.

With a power output of 600 kW (815 bhp), a top speed in excess of 335 km/h (208 mph), and a 0–100 km/h (0–60 mph) time of just 1.8 seconds, Formula E's Gen4 represents an extraordinary step in performance.

Lap times at all circuits on the calendar are expected to improve by an average of 10 seconds, putting it at a similar pace to, if not faster than, Formula 2 around Monaco.

The gap between Formula E and Formula 1 is set to close dramatically, with the Gen4's acceleration being 30% faster than an F1 car and with similar speeds achieved at braking points.

Rossiter, who tested for BAR Honda in 2004 and 2005, has been involved in the development of the Gen4 since the beginning of the project and believes it is an absolute game-changer.

Asked if he could believe the performance of the Gen4 when he first drove the car, Rossiter told RacingNews365: "No, I genuinely couldn't believe it. I mean, the last time I had driven a Gen3 Evo, I actually got to drive one around Monaco at the beginning of last year, and at the same time, I was in the development phase of Gen4.

"And the step is just — it's so big. I mean, the speed is just unbelievable when you're going over 200 mph into braking zones. You know, it's a different game. You're going the same speed at the end of the straight as an F1 car. You have unbelievable technology.

"The acceleration at 600 kW with the all-wheel drive — honestly, I genuinely think, from a driver's perspective, it's on a level with when I got to drive the V10s back in 2004 and 2005 in F1. There's just so much acceleration.

"And the strange thing is, it never stops. You go on the throttle and you've got, instantaneously, exactly what you want. There's no delay, there's not even a millisecond — there's nothing. You've just got all the power."