Thought Volkswagen was done with record attempts in the all-electric ID.R racer? Think again as the car manufacturer has just announced a plan to set a new lap record around Sonoma Raceway in California.
The current unofficial record is held by the Mercedes-AMG W07, the F1 car used by the German outfit during the 2016 Formula One World Championship. Ex-F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez set the lap record in September last year during the Sonoma Speed Festival.
Also Watch: 2016 Mercedes-AMG F1 Car Sets Unofficial Lap Record At Sonoma Raceway
Gutierrez needed just 1:15.430 to lap the 2.52-mile circuit. While impressive, that time is only a touch quicker than the official track record set by Josef Newgarden in a Chevrolet Dallara DW12 IndyCar during competition at 1:15.520. Video from Gutierrez’s lap revealed that the F1 car encountered a series of grip issues during the lap, likely because the team didn’t spend all that much time tweaking the car’s complex aerodynamics and chassis for the circuit.
“Last year we watched the Sonoma Raceway track record topple during the inaugural Sonoma Speed Festival,” event founder Jeff O’Neill said in a statement. “We are excited to see that record challenged yet again in 2020, this time by Volkswagen. The ID.R represents the future of motorsports and we are thrilled to share a glimpse of what is to come with our guests.”
This year’s Sonoma Speed Festival will be held the weekend after Memorial Day with VW’s team planning a couple of practice runs before formally attempting to set a new record on May 31.
