As far as guests go, this one is right up there! I was joined for a call by Formula E title contender and Andretti Avalanche driver Jake Dennis!
Jake was an absolute joy to talk to as we discussed favourite circuits, IndyCar and the size of Sam Bird!
Without further ado, here's Jake's answers to my questions!
1. What is your first racing memory? It would be karting at my local track when I was about 8! I had a crash that at the time I thought was massive but was really just a small off into the wall and it actually put me off for a year hahaha!
2. You can include an incredible number of top drivers in a list of ones you've raced against, who has been the toughest you remember? Teammate wis3 I'd say (Felix) Rosenqvist. I partnered him in 2015(FIA European F3) and he was in his fifth year while I was in my second and he'd put in laps I couldn't understand how he was so much quicker. I've remained great friends with him too.
📸 Rosenqvist in his PREMA days in European F3.
Besides him, probably Verstappen, who I raced against in 2014 in the same series.
📸 Verstappen very quickly moved into F1 from FIA European F3.
3. Favourite circuit you've raced on? Bathurst is one that is really special, but a few weeks ago I raced the Nordschleife and it's amazing. You kind of can't believe that we actually race on it. It's mental, and it's absolutely ruthless. No margin for error.
📸 Jake tackles the Nordschleife.
4. You've tested with Red Bull as well as acting as their simulator and development driver for some time; what's the most enjoyable aspect of your roles there? Being helpful during sessions like FP1. You sit in on debriefs and all the important talks and get a really good insight into everything. It can be very tiring but you're there for race support and to help everyone understand things.
📸 Jake in the Red Bull as he tested at the Hungaroring.
5. As well as that, you tested IndyCar machinery last year, do you see yourself ever having a go in America? Not really no. From the test I found it a little underwhelming. I don't think my driving style really matched what they do out there with their cars. I'd like to keep giving Formula E a go for a few more years!
📸 Jake having his seat fit with Andretti's IndyCar outfit.
6. You're in your third Formula E season, what made you choose Formula E in the first place? I'd been following for a while, and began to have a proper interest in it. The big draws were the location of the races, and the level of driver in the series, it's one of the best championships right now.
📸 Plenty of reason to watch Formula E! Jake's speed being one of the them!
7. 3 rounds, 5 races to go in the current Formula E season; how excited are you for the run in? Ah, very excited! We've got Portland which is a home race for the team and of course my home race at the finale in London, and I love the indoor section of that. Really big races and of course, a title race I hope will be good for me.
📸 3 rounds to go, Portland, Rome and London(pictured).
8. Over your career so far have you been able to collect anything? For example, race suits, helmets? I'm quite lazy about this, which I'll maybe come to regret so I don't have much, but I do have a good few of my helmets and my special edition helmets I've run for particular races.
📸 Jake's South African(top) and Monaco(bottom) GP designs.
Bonus question! Would
you rather fight 100 Sam Bird sized birds, or one Sam Bird sized bird? They're both quite small so there's no difference, hahaha!
📸 Image credits: Formula Motorsport, ABB Formula E, Felix Rosenqvist, Jake Dennis, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, Sky Sports.
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