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Ex F1 driver Rio Haryanto to join Formula E test in Valencia

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Sun, October 1, 2017

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Ex F1 driver Rio Haryanto to join Formula E test in Valencia Indonesian ex Formula 1 racer Rio Haryanto. (ANTARA FOTO/Yudhi Mahatma)

I

ndonesian ex-Formula 1 driver Rio Haryanto is set to make a return to his racing career after he was confirmed to take the Formula E test in Valencia on Tuesday.

The first ever F1 racer from Indonesia will get his first taste of electric car racing at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, according to a press release on Sunday.

"I'm really looking forward to my first Formula E test, having watched some of its most exciting wheel-to-wheel battles on TV. Formula E has been providing exciting competition and many manufacturers have been coming onboard," Rio said.

Read also: Rio Haryanto may not return to F1 this year

Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag said he is enthusiastic to see Rio behind the wheel of a fully-electrified racing car.

"He’s a familiar face and very experienced in single-seaters. Indonesia has a fast-growing motorsport community and the fans are very passionate," he said.

Rumors over the 24 year-old racer being in talks over joining Formula E have been circulating in past weeks.

Indonesian Formula 1 driver Rio Haryanto drives for Manor Racing in the 2016 season.
Indonesian Formula 1 driver Rio Haryanto drives for Manor Racing in the 2016 season. (ANTARA FOTO/Manor GP Racing)

Rio competed in 12 F1 GPs last year with Manor Racing, with a best finish of 15th at Monaco, but failed to make it to the 2017 grid despite rumors over links with Sauber.

Rio earned three wins in GP2 (now Formula 2) in 2015, putting him 4th in the final standing.

The fourth Formula E season will kick off in Hong Kong on Dec. 2.

Former F1 drivers joining 2017 Formula E grid include Sébastien Buemi, Nick Heidfeld, Jean-Éric Vergne and Esteban Gutiérrez.

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