Canadian Robert Wickens test drives adapted Formula E car

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Canadian driver Robert Wickens took Formula E’s GEN3 car for a test run ahead of the Hankook Portland E-Prix at Portland International Raceway.

It was the first time Wickens had driven an open-wheel racing car since he was paralyzed from the waist down following a severe crash during an IndyCar race at Pocono in 2018.

Wickens drove 11 laps using hand control modifications made by manufacturing partner SPARK.

The 35-year-old from Guelph, Ont., called it a “full circle” moment as he was actually offered a Formula E ride in 2018 but had to turn it down as he had already committed to IndyCar.

“It was such an amazing opportunity to drive the GEN3 car yesterday,” Wickens said in a release Saturday. “Formula E has been a series that I’ve been keeping a close eye on for quite a while, but I never knew how I could get myself into the series. A huge thanks to Formula E and SPARK for their ingenuity and for developing a hand control system for me to drive the car in Portland.

“It was only a few laps, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it left me wanting a lot more. Hopefully this will lead to more opportunities in the future and possibly a rookie test. I think right now, that would be the goal for me, to try and get onto the grid in Formula E for the future.”

Wickens finished runner-up in the Formula Two standings in 2009 and captured the Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship in 2011, the same year he served as a test driver for Marussia Virgin Racing in Formula One.

Four years after his life-altering accident, Wickens returned to touring car racing in 2022 using a hand-control system. He won the TCR class championship last season in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series with co-driver Harry Gottsacker for Bryan Herta Autosport.

“It’s a privilege to offer a driver of Robert’s calibre a drive in our GEN3 Formula E car,” said Jeff Dodds, Formula E CEO. “Throughout his career, Robert has proven his speed and talent, and since his accident, his determination and dedication to return to the sport we love has been nothing short of awe-inspiring.”

Dodds added: “Robert’s passion and commitment to a full-time return to single-seater racing are clear, and I’m hopeful this drive will open doors for his future.”