After the construction crews put their tools down for the day, and all was quiet in the ExCel London events arena, Formula E drivers Jake Hughes and Lucas di Grassi prepared for battle. The two drivers were invited to drive a specially modified electric racecar to attempt a record-breaking feat.
The drivers were asked to compete against one another to try to break the world record for the fastest indoor drive that was set in 2021. In a shootout-style competition, both drivers broke the 102.65 mph (165.2 km/h) world record on their first practice runs, turning the competition into a mano a mano brawl to see who would have their names enshrined in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Both drivers were given the wheel of the same machine, dubbed the Genbeta car. A modified version of Formula E‘s latest, third-generation racecar, it had a few choice modifications for this challenge.
In addition to new, softer tires developed by Hankook, and 3D-printed wing endplates made of recycled plastic, the car’s front motor (normally used to harvest power under braking) had its switch flipped, turning the EV into Formula E’s first AWD racecar.
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A hint of what’s to come for the sport, the duel was held in the ExCel London events center, where the season finale e-Prix is set to take place this weekend. The drivers started their runs just before entering a 130-degree corner, from which they could launch onto a 1,135-foot (346 meter) straight on which their speed would be clocked, before coming to a stop.
Hughes (who drives for the NEOM McLaren team) was the first to take the wheel. His first practice run saw him reach a speed of 133.47 mph (214.80 km/h), and he kept improving on his next two practice runs, before settling in for his officially timed record attempt.
Lucas di Grassi, who drives for Mahindra Racing and is the most successful Formula E ever, was allowed to go second. He shot out of the gates with a 134.75 (216.87 km/h) run, and all three of his practice runs were faster than Hughes’.
“I didn’t realize how much I wanted this record until I saw Lucas [Di Grassi] trying to break the record after me,” said Hughes.
Whereas di Grassi faltered on his final run, achieving a top speed of 135.24 (217.65 km/h), slower than his fastest practice run of 135.57 (218.18 km/h), Hughes only kept improving. On the run that counted, he managed a top speed of 135.9 mph (218.71 km/h) and earned himself the world record.
“When I was announced I was the record holder I felt a massive sense of pride,” said Hughes. “It wasn’t something I ever imagined I’d have the opportunity to even attempt, so now to hold the record is pretty incredible, especially in a Formula E car.”