Maya Weug reflects on driving a Formula E car for first time, says “not hearing the engine” felt strange

F1 Academy runner-up Maya Weug got the chance to drive the GEN3 Evo car at the Miami E-Prix and found it very different from what she has driven so far. She got behind the wheel to complete exhibition laps at the Miami E-Prix and enjoyed her first experience in a Formula E car. She has now revealed what it was like to drive an electric race car that doesn’t make the same sound as a combustion engine.

Maya Weug on driving a Formula E car for first time: “You lose that sense without the engine sound”

Sharing her first reaction to her Formula E stint in Miami, Maya Weug told FormulaE.com in an interview, “I really enjoyed my first time in a Formula E car. It's a very different car from what I'm used to and a lot more powerful, but it was really exciting and I loved the laps that I was able to do.”

Explaining how different it is to drive an electric race car, she added, “You don't have gears, the driving style is also a bit different, but in the end, you brake more or less in the same places and the lines are the same. So, I think it was just getting used to that acceleration and not hearing the engine, let's say, because that's where you get a lot of feedback usually when you're driving and (with an electric race car) it's a different kind of feedback you get. The engine usually tells you if you had a good corner when you exit and you go on power. Usually, the RPM tells you how good it was or when you upshift and so on. So that's a bit strange because you lose that sense, but I think it's something you can get used to very quickly.”

Maya Weug sums up her experience driving the GEN3 Evo car

Maya Weug also shared her experience on Instagram and wrote: “Mega day with @fiaformulae in Miami! Really enjoyed my first laps in the car, the acceleration was mega! It was nice meeting so many great people and experiencing everything behind the scenes. Very grateful for the opportunity!”

Summing up her experience of driving an electric race car in Miami, Weug said, “I think you always learn every day. And I think adapting to different cars is something very important for us as racing drivers, and learning how different cars work is something that you can always use in the future. I love racing and it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life. I enjoyed today, so you never know what the future may bring.”

Weug took some tips from Abbi Pulling and Chloe Chambers before getting behind the wheel of the GEN3 Evo in Miami. She also did some laps with Formula E Safety Car driver Bruno Correia, who further advised her on driving a Formula E car.

Also read: Miami E-Prix 2026: Mitch Evans wins, says “It’s special to have this record for most wins”


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