Verstappen's substitute at Red Bull: 'That Tuesday was hard on my neck'
F1 News
- Ludo van Denderen
Jake Dennis had a great year: back in July, the Brit secured the Formula E world title and later made his first meters during a Grand Prix weekend. During FP1 in Abu Dhabi, Dennis even drove his laps in Max Verstappen's Red Bull.
When Dennis was asked at the annual FIA Prize Giving Gala how he experienced his sessions in the RB19, a big smile appeared on his face. "I think FP1 in Mexico will be extremely difficult for me, adjusting back to a Formula E car there. So I don't think it [the experience with Red Bull] will help me much for Formula E," Dennis told media - including GPblog. In Mexico, the first E-Prix of the 2024 season is on the calendar in early January.
Dennis happy with the ideas gained
Still, Dennis certainly sees the benefits of having driven the RB19 for once, after years of also being Red Bull's simulator driver. "I think generally, just working with a team like Red Bull for the past five years and being involved with some of the top engineers in the world, it's always important to be around very intelligent people. And obviously, they've got some of the best. So you just pick up ideas here and there and take them to your team [in Formula E] and try to move your team forward as much as possible."
Still, it's all about the racing. Dennis not only got the chance to drive FP1 in Abu Dhabi, he also got to take part in the test on Tuesday after the Grand Prix. "Driving the car itself is an absolute pleasure. It's been a long time since I've driven something with so much downforce. It certainly took me by surprise. It certainly lived up to that. So thoroughly enjoyed it. Tuesday was a little bit difficult on the neck, obviously doing 125 laps or so. But we got through it. What an amazing day."