Andretti Formula E Driver Robin Frijns to Test in IndyCar (Update)
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| Robin Frijns |
"It's a new car, a new track – there's a lot to learn and I have to get used to it," Frijns told Autosport's Bruce Martin, who drives for Andretti in FE. "It's been a while since I drove a really high downforce car – I have to go back to the Formula 1 days. "There's lots of new things I'm not used to – hopefully I'll learn a lot before I jump in the car.
"Of course I want to be competitive, but with one day to learn everything, it's quite tough."
Frijns added that IndyCar would appeal as a career move if the opportunity ever arose.
"If everything goes well, maybe I will have an opportunity next year or in a few years' time," he said. "It's the Formula 1 of America, so it's the highest level you can achieve and that's a good thing.
"If I have the opportunity to jump in for a full season, I will." Autosport
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| Robin Frijns |
07/14/16 Robin Frijns, driver of the No. 27 MS Amlin Andretti Formula E car, will be given the chance to test the waters across the pond with an Andretti Autosport IndyCar test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
The July 21 test will be the first outing for Frijns in an Indy car, and only the second trip to America for the Netherlands native. His first was for the Long Beach ePrix where he had his best qualifying effort of the Formula E season with a fifth-place start.
"We have found Robin to be very impressive in his career so far, both in Andretti Formula E and his other areas of racing," said team owner Michael Andretti. "One of the perks of the team competing across various racing platforms is the ability to expose our drivers to different racing disciplines. Having versatile drivers gives us a security of depth in our driver line up and makes us more competitive on all fronts."
Frijns is excited for the opportunity to be used in other areas of the team. Andretti Autosport spans across four series in total with the Verizon IndyCar Series, Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, Global Rallycross and the FIA Formula E Championship.
When coming to the team he understood he would take on a larger role as test driver and racing driver for Formula E, but was both surprised and honored when Andretti approached him with the opportunity to test an IndyCar.
“I am really honored to get the opportunity from Andretti to test on of their Indy cars at Mid-Ohio," said Frijns. "I have been working with the Andretti Formula E Team for a year now in the MS Amlin Andretti car, and it has been a great year for us. I am really looking forward to working with one of the biggest teams of the Verizon IndyCar Series and excited for this new challenge."
Robin Frijns Career Highlights
IndyCar will add another notch to Frijns varied racing background. Frijns has most recently been splitting his time between FIA Formula E and the Blancpain GT Series but his racing pedigree is filled with open wheel experience. Before diversifying himself Frijns spent his years climbing the F1 ladder.
After an encouraging karting career, Frijns moved to cars, his first step was the Formula BMW series in 2009. That year he became the highest finishing rookie with one win and six-podium finishes. He then moved on to the Formula Renault 2.0, in his first attempt Frijns walked away series champion in 2011.
Frijns winning streak continued into to the final tier of the Formula Renault ladder, Formula Renault 3.5 in 2012. From the end of 2012 to 2013 Frijns served as both test and reserve driver for F1 Sauber and in 2014 he was a reserve driver for
F1 Caterham.
After 2014 Frijns was itching to see race action and ultimately left the F1 paddock for sportscar racing and was picked up by Andretti Formula E Team to pilot the No. 27 all-electric MS Amlin Andretti car, the first of its kind.