Lola Yamaha ABT selects Hugh Barter and Richard Verschoor for Madrid Rookie Test

After Porsche and Envision Racing, Lola Yamaha ABT has now announced its picks for the Madrid Rookie Test. Formula 2 race winner Richard Verschoor will be driving a Formula E car for the first time, along with the more experienced Lola Yamaha ABT Simulator Test Driver Hugh Barter. The test will follow the maiden Madrid E-Prix on March 22. Since Madrid is a new venue on the Formula E calendar, the rookies will take to the track to provide additional data while gaining experience behind the wheel of a Formula E car.

Hugh Barter and Richard Verschoor selected by Lola Yamaha ABT for Madrid Rookie Test

Richard Verschoor is a member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, which he joined in January. Although he will be driving a Formula E car for the first time in Madrid, he holds solid experience in racing on track. He won the 2019 Macau Grand Prix and has multiple race victories in Formula 2 over the past five years.

Lola Yamaha ABT Simulator Test Driver Hugh Barter has also been given the chance to once again drive a Formula E car. This will be the fourth opportunity for the 20-year-old Barter to experience Formula E machinery, having most recently taken part in the Miami Rookie Free Practice session earlier this season, where he finished ninth.


Sharing his excitement for the test, Barter told Formulae.com, “Following the Rookie Free Practice in Miami in January, I’m really looking forward to having more time on track in the T001, both for my own experience and to help provide more in-depth feedback to the team.”

As a Simulator Test Driver at Lola Yamaha ABT, he plays a crucial role in helping to optimise car set-up and strategy, while also contributing to the development of Lola’s GEN4 race car.

Richard Verschoor also shared his excitement, saying, “I’m excited to be joining Lola Yamaha ABT for the Rookie Test in Madrid. Driving the T001 will be my first outing in a Formula E car. I’m eager to learn and push forward together with the team.”

Lola Yamaha ABT Team Principal Mark Preston has welcomed the two ahead of the Madrid Rookie Test. He said, “We are very pleased to have Richard join us for the Rookie Test in Madrid. He is a fast, knowledgeable and promising driver who we are sure will be a great asset to the team over the weekend. It’s also great that Hugh is once again joining us to take to the track in the Lola T001. The more time he spends with us, both on track and in the simulator, the more invaluable his feedback has become. We therefore look forward to getting additional input from him in Madrid while giving him crucial development time on track.”

Also read: Madrid Rookie Test: McLaren development driver Ella Lloyd to drive for Envision Racing