HWA RACELAB kicks off 2019 with the Marrakesh E-Prix

The first race of the new year sees HWA RACELAB travel to Morocco for round two of the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship on 12^thJanuary. After an eventful Formula E debut in Riyadh, the team from Affalterbach is determined to take another step forward on the streets of Marrakesh.

• Quotes from Gary Paffett and Stoffel Vandoorne ahead of the race in Morocco
• Ulrich Fritz: "Our primary goal is for both cars to finish the race on Saturday, and to gain more experience."
• Facts and schedule for the Marrakesh E-Prix

Affalterbach, 9^thJanuary 2019 – HWA RACELAB continues to go from one first to another: this Saturday (12.01.), the new Formula E team will make its first appearance in Morocco. After 16^thplace for Stoffel Vandoorne and Gary Paffett's retirement at the season-opener in Riyadh, the priority is now to make the most of the data and findings acquired there, in order to be more competitive at the Marrakesh E-Prix. With this in mind, the motorsport experts from Affalterbach have been preparing meticulously for the event in the North African metropolis.

The Marrakesh E-Prix is making its third appearance on the ABB FIA Formula E calendar. The event will be held at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan, a temporary street circuit near the Medina and world-famous souks. The race, featuring the new Gen2 cars, will last 45 minutes plus one lap. 

Gary Paffett (37, England)
"I am really looking forward to Marrakesh. Riyadh was a tough way to start - the first race weekend for me and the HWA RACELAB team in Formula E. The rainy conditions did not make it any easier for us. Yes, that was a difficult Saturday, but we feel better prepared for Marrakesh - especially as I have already driven there during last year's rookie test. As such, I have a little more experience than in Riyadh, at least as far as the circuit is concerned. We have all learned from the first race and are now looking to gain more experience in Marrakesh."

Stoffel Vandoorne (26, Belgium)
"I was in Miami during the short winter break. A few days without racing - that was very relaxing, but I am now looking forward to Marrakesh and round two of the Formula E championship. At the first race in Riyadh we had mixed feelings: there were highs and lows. Our speed in practice - and, in principle, all weekend - was extremely promising. With this in mind, I am excited about Marrakesh. The circuit is new to me. A few of the other drivers are already familiar with it, but I am still confident. We will build on the experience gained in Riyadh and I am sure that we can significantly improve our performance in the race."

Ulrich Fritz, Team Principal HWA RACELAB
"The experience we gained at the first race in Saudi Arabia was both positive and informative. On the positive side was certainly the performance in qualifying and the team spirit within our fledgling team, which is incredibly determined to familiarise itself with what is a new series for us, and to achieve success in the medium term. We are closing in on this goal with every event and every session - although we are well aware that we still have a long way to go. The race was definitely disappointing: both cars were involved in crashes early in the race, resulting in Gary having to retire immediately and Stoffel battling on with a damaged car, which consequently saw him drop to the back of the field. Our goals remain the same for Marrakesh. Our primary objective is to get both cars through to the finish on Saturday and to gain more experience."   

Facts on the Marrakesh E-Prix
Circuit:     Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan
Length:    2.99 km
Corners:  12
Distance: 45 min + 1 lap

Schedule for 12^thJanuary 2019
Free practice 1:       08:00 - 08:45 (CET)
Free practice 2:       10:15 - 10:45 (CET)
Qualifying:               12:00 - 12:45 (CET)
Super Pole:             12:45 - 13:05 (CET)
Race:                      16:00 (CET)
Podium ceremony: 17:00 (CET)

About HWA AG
HWA AG is an independent, 360° engineering specialist in the fields of automobile racing and high-performance cars. Formed in 1998 by Hans Werner Aufrecht, the company is based in Affalterbach (Germany) and employs roughly 300 highly-qualified members of staff. HWA AG offers all its products and services under the motto ENGINEERING SPEED: The company’s objective is to develop the best possible, high-quality solutions, in order to get its partners and customers to their destination quicker. The portfolio of services ranges from designing all vehicle components to assembling complete cars, together with the relevant logistics, after-sales and support services.

About HWA RACELAB
HWA RACELAB is HWA AG’s operations team in motorsport. It brings together experienced specialists in high-quality race engineering and the associated services, in pursuit of success on the motorsport scene. HWA RACELAB will enter Formula E as a new team in the 2018/19 season, adding a future-oriented string to HWA’s wealth of racetrack expertise. Furthermore, HWA RACELAB will race in the new, international FIA Formula 3 championship in 2019. With eleven Drivers’ titles and over 180 race wins as a works team for Mercedes-AMG in the DTM, the company is one of the most successful players in international motorsport. HWA RACELAB also draws on the company’s other core areas of expertise, such as the development, assembly and running of GT cars for customer racing, as well as the assembly of Formula 3 race engines.

Oliver Kapffenstein
Motorsport Communications, Formula E

tel:     +49 (0) 711 17 57 00 4
mob:  +49 (0) 160 8 67 47 97
email: o.kapffenstein@hwaag-partner.com

Marlene Wieland
Motorsport Communications, Formula E

tel:     +49 (0) 711 17 51 80 3
mob:  +49 (0) 160 8 62 80 80
email: m.wieland@hwaag-partner.com

• Marrakesh E-Prix Marrakesh E-Prix
• HWA RACELAB - Stoffel Vandoorne HWA RACELAB - Stoffel Vandoorne
• HWA RACELAB - Gary Paffett HWA RACELAB - Gary Paffett
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