The incredible reality of what it’s like to do a lap in a Formula E safety car with Bruno Correa

With awe-inspiring power and incredible speed, the feeling of being driven in a Formula E safety car is truly like no other — especially when Bruno Correa is at the wheel.

Under the beating heat of the Mexico City sun ahead of the first E-Prix of the season, I took the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of taking a spin with the Formula E safety car driver in the knowledge that the vehicle I was about to travel in could move at a very fast pace. But no amount of watching racing can truly prepare you for just how quick the reality really is.

I sat down in the passenger seat and was kindly greeted by Correa, a charismatic and friendly individual, who seemed extremely relaxed with the lightning pace he was about to drive at.

From my time watching the remarkable sport of Formula E, I thought I was aware of what the Porsche Taycan was capable of. But the moment it accelerated, my perspective on motorsport changed forever.

From 0-60 MPH in less than a second, my stomach dropped, as my body flew back, almost as if it was about to go through the seat. I gasped, struggling to comprehend the speed we were driving at, going around every bend with the fear that the car was about to hurtle over. But of course, this was never the reality; Correa knows exactly what he’s doing.

Bruno Correa drove the Formula E safety car at an astonishing pace

Knowing I needed to capture the moment, I whipped out my phone, desperately trying to keep ahold of the device while Correa raced around the track, in an experience that made ‘The Big One’ at Blackpool Pleasure Beach look like nothing more than a ride on the Teacups.

With poise and control, the formidable driver brought the lap to a close, leaving me with a whole new understanding of what an electric car is capable of. I stumbled out of the vehicle, feeling somewhat dizzy and wondering just how the likes of Jake Dennis have mastered their craft to such a remarkable extent.

While many think they know motorsport, it’s difficult to really get what these athletes go through until you’ve tried it for yourself. The experience of doing a lap on my own was nothing short of breathtaking, so when I sit back and imagine the idea of racing against the best drivers on the planet, while 40,000 Mexican fans scream in the background, I’m left nothing short of speechless.

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Ultimately, my time with Correa is a memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life — a humbling moment that made me realise just how far these inspirational individuals are willing to go in the name of the sport they hold so close to their hearts. It’s fair to say, driving my Nissan Micra will never feel the same again.

Featured Image Credit: James Sweetnam & Bruno Correa