In an epic career, Usain Bolt racked up an astonishing eight Olympic gold medals, but nothing compares to the adrenaline rush of driving the Formula E GENBETA electric race car.
With a stunning world record of 9.58 seconds in the 100-metre sprint, the Jamaican knows a thing or two about moving quickly. So, when the prospect of driving the official indoor land speed world record-holding vehicle arrived, he simply couldn’t turn it down.
Exuding confidence and swagger, Bolt squeezed his enormous 6 ft 4 frame into the car and produced a performance that stunned the crowd in Mexico City ahead of the first E-Prix of the season.
Usain Bolt produced a scintillating showing inside the GENBETA car
In yet another legacy-defining moment, the legend achieved 0-60mph in 2.89 seconds and powered through 100m in 4.36 seconds – a whopping 5.22 seconds faster than his world record 100m time.
The remarkable feeling of driving the GENBETA is truly like no other, with the speed and power almost incomprehensible to anyone who hasn’t been inside one. And even for someone like Bolt, who’s felt the unthinkable pressure of the world watching as he sprints towards the finish line at the pinnacle of athletics, concedes that there’s nothing quite like driving a Formula E car.
In an exclusive interview with Sporf, he said: “It’s more exciting driving a car. When you’re on your own legs, you have to make sure you don’t make any mistakes. With a car, it’s programmed well, so you just have to drive; we do this every day, so for me, this is easy. Once I got a feel of the car, I knew it was going to respond and perform at a high level. If they let me, I would drive all day – I was that impressed by it.”
Usain Bolt received his own helmet from Formula E World Champion — Jake Dennis
Prior to feeling the 400kW power of the GENBETA at full effect, the icon revelled in the opportunity to soak up some words of wisdom from reigning Formula E King — Jake Dennis.
In an astonishing encounter, the pair of sportsman chatted with remarkable respect for one another, in the knowledge of exactly what they have both been through to make it to the top of their craft.
In a heartfelt moment, the Andretti racer gifted Bolt his very own helmet, with his trademark celebration imprinted on the top.
Taking everything Dennis said onboard, the phenomenal athlete accelerated from the start line at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in a moment that will live with him forever.
Last year, Neom McLaren driver, Jake Hughes, utilised the vehicle to obliterate the official indoor land speed world record by more than 50 km/h, reaching 218.71km/h, inside the ExCeL London.
Usain Bolt impressed Formula E CEO — Jeff Dodds
Blown away by Bolt’s performance, Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, said: “Usain Bolt is electric. What could be more Formula E than bringing together two world record holders – Usain Bolt and our GENBETA race car – just to see what happens? Usain broke the world record 15 years ago, and nobody has come close to beating it since. He came to our race event today with that same determination and confidence to step out of his comfort zone, get in our incredible race car, and see what he could do. He’s also asking me if he can come back tomorrow and see if he can go even quicker.”
Last season, Formula E introduced the GEN3 — the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car to have ever graced the world of motorsport — capable of hitting an optimum speed of more than 322 km/h (200 mph).
The GEN3 car is used by all 22 drivers in Formula E, with 40,000 fans scheduled to hit Mexico City to see the remarkable piece of machinery in person at the first E-Prix of the season, which UK viewers can watch live and exclusively on TNT Sports this evening.
Featured Image Credit: Formula E