Mercedes’ Formula E car ran for the first time last week in a three-day test at the Varano circuit in Italy. The car covered a total of 527 kilometres.

Former McLaren Formula 1 driver Stoffel Vandoorne , who now races for the Mercedes-affiliated HWA team in Formula E, was one of two drivers to same the car.

Former Mercedes DTM driver Edoardo Mortara also drove the car in place of Vandoorne’s Formula E team mate Gary Paffett, who was racing at Laguna Seca.

“When a new racing car comes to life for the first time and goes out onto the track, that’s always a very special moment,” said Mercedes’ head motorsport Toto Wolff.

“Not only have we reached an important milestone for our as yet young team, but we have also laid a solid foundation for further development. But there is still a lot of work to do before our race debut when the next season starts towards the end of this year.”

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Formula E