Interview by Sergio Álvarez, photos by Ester Caballero
The “Rookie” Masterclass: Kvyat Takes on Madrid
The paddock at Circuito del Jarama still smelled of spent rubber and ozone after Sunday’s inaugural Madrid E-Prix, but the real intrigue started when the “young guns” (and one very familiar face) strapped into the Gen3 Evo beasts for the official Rookie Test.
Seeing Daniil Kvyat listed as a “rookie” for DS Penske is, frankly, unusual. It’s the motorsport equivalent of Fernando Alonso turning up to an F3 shootout and claiming he’s just there to “learn the ropes”—technically true by the FIA rulebook, but everyone else on the grid knows they’re about to get schooled by a guy who’s forgotten more about tire deg than they’ve ever known.
“I think the car itself is quite heavy because of the battery, plus the tires because they’re not classic (slicks), they give up some combined grip for you so you really need to try and adapt to this change.” — Daniil Kvyat, post-test thoughts.
High Voltage in the Spanish Capital
While the field was packed with the next generation of F2 and F3 talent, “The Torpedo” wasn’t just there to make up the numbers. In the tricky, undulating sectors of Jarama, Kvyat looked every bit the seasoned pro, treating the high-voltage learning curve like a Sunday drive in the park.
Here’s the lowdown on his stint in the gold-and-black:
- The Pace: Daniil clocked in P4 during the morning session and finished P5 overall, proving that while he might be an FE debutant, his “street fighter” instincts are as sharp as ever.
- The Workhorse: While some kids were just trying to keep the car out of the wall at Turn 3, Kvyat was deep in the weeds with the engineers, dialing in energy management maps and exploring the limits of the Gen3 Evo’s new front-powertrain regen.
- The Team Dynamic: Working alongside teammate Nikita Bedrin (who topped the afternoon charts), the DS Penske garage had the kind of data-heavy session that makes team principals sleep like babies.
Sergio caught up with Daniil behind the DS Penske garage to talk about his transition from the “pinnacle” to the plug-in, however DK was silent on whether we’ll be seeing him on the grid full-time for Season 13.
Iberianmph: What has been the biggest surprise in Formula E for you personally?
Daniil Kvyat: It’s quite contradictive to drive compared to what we learn in junior (ice-powered) categories. I wouldn’t say you have to unlearn everything, but you have to make some strong driving style adjustments in order to be quick with this car.
Iberianmph: Does it have something to do with cornering speeds?
DK: Yes, the car and the tires respond very differently to what we are normally used to. It’s quite different.
Iberianmph: Does it have to do with the chassis or the Hankook tires?
DK: Good question! It’s a combination of both. I think the car itself is quite heavy because of the battery, plus the tires because they’re not classic (slicks), they give up some combined grip for you so you really need to try and adapt to this change.
Iberianmph: Is it your first time around Jarama?
DK: Yes, it’s my first time around this track, it’s a very cool track. It’s got some very nice corners, very challenging.
Iberianmph: This track was designed by the same guy (John Hugenholtz) who designed Suzuka and Zandvoort, for example. Are there any similarities at all?
DK: There are some similarities. I’d say I’d compare Jarama to Zandvoort because it’s a little bit narrow which is good for us in a Formula E car. In terms of elevations and high-speed corners, the balance it’s similar to Zandvoort.
iberianmph.com 