Luca Filippi: 'Crazy' IndyCar 'similarities' will help in Formula E
Formula E rookie Luca Filippi believes his experience of "crazy" IndyCar circuits will assist him in FE, where he has found "similarities" to the American single-seater category
Filippi has replaced Jaguar-bound Nelson Piquet Jr at the NIO team, joining Oliver Turvey for the 2017/18 FE season.
The 2011 GP2 runner-up raced in IndyCar on street circuits and road courses from 2013-2016 and believes the "ratio" between the speed of the FE cars and nature of the circuits means his experience in America will be beneficial.
"The Formula E car has some similarities to IndyCar because it is heavier than some other formulas and the driving style is not too different," Filippi told Autosport.
"Some of the street courses in IndyCar can be a little crazy.
"If you make a correlation between the speed of IndyCar and the circuit, it could be kind of similar to the Formula E speed and circuit.
"From this point of view it could be a good experience."
Filippi's full-season contract with NIO has ended several years of bit-part campaigns for the Italian.
He believes his opportunity is good for his "faith" in motorsport and will finally let him focus on driving rather than having to think about his next race seat.
"It has been like a rollercoaster because I had a very good GP2 season many years ago and then I had a Honda contract for Formula 1 before they retired, and that meant I had a bit of a difficult time," he said.
"But then I had an opportunity with Ed Carpenter Racing to do all the street and road courses [in IndyCar], which was great because even if it wasn't for the full programme it was a still a defined programme with a good team.
"This opportunity [in FE] came at a point in my career when I have a lot of experience and I've driven in many different series, it was just perfect timing.
"When you get a good programme and finally feel OK and that this is rewarding, it means I can look forward and start working methodically with the team.
"NIO are a very experienced group and many of these guys have incredible experience in motorsport.
"We are all looking forward to the season and everything else that's coming with the new car in 2018/19 as well."
Formula E 2017/18: NIO adds ex-Techeetah man Ma Qing Hua as reserve
Rahal's team first to enter Jaguar I-PACE Trophy FE support series
The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season
The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season
Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge
Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge
Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1
Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1 Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1
Virgin boss Filippi elected new FE teams' and manufacturers' association head
Virgin boss Filippi elected new FE teams' and manufacturers' association head Virgin boss Filippi elected new FE teams' and manufacturers' association head
Virgin's Filippi: Monaco Formula E result "heartbreaking"
Virgin's Filippi: Monaco Formula E result "heartbreaking" Virgin's Filippi: Monaco Formula E result "heartbreaking"
NIO drops Luca Filippi from Formula E line-up for season five
NIO drops Luca Filippi from Formula E line-up for season five NIO drops Luca Filippi from Formula E line-up for season five
McLaughlin claims Grosjean clash “destroyed” Detroit GP chances
McLaughlin claims Grosjean clash “destroyed” Detroit GP chances McLaughlin claims Grosjean clash “destroyed” Detroit GP chances
Kirkwood explains IndyCar Detroit GP recovery after losing wing in shunt
Kirkwood explains IndyCar Detroit GP recovery after losing wing in shunt Kirkwood explains IndyCar Detroit GP recovery after losing wing in shunt
LeBron James named as Le Mans 24 Hours official starter
LeBron James named as Le Mans 24 Hours official starter LeBron James named as Le Mans 24 Hours official starter
Detroit street track “really came alive” during IndyCar race
Detroit street track “really came alive” during IndyCar race Detroit street track “really came alive” during IndyCar race
How Wehrlein turned the tables to move back ahead in Formula E title tussle
How Wehrlein turned the tables to move back ahead in Formula E title tussle How Wehrlein turned the tables to move back ahead in Formula E title tussle
How Cassidy earned 'Big Cat' bragging rights in tight Monaco duel
How Cassidy earned 'Big Cat' bragging rights in tight Monaco duel How Cassidy earned 'Big Cat' bragging rights in tight Monaco duel
How Kiwis stormed Berlin to put Porsche under pressure
How Kiwis stormed Berlin to put Porsche under pressure How Kiwis stormed Berlin to put Porsche under pressure
How Evans pounced for Jaguar in a Sao Paulo slipstreaming chess match
How Evans pounced for Jaguar in a Sao Paulo slipstreaming chess match How Evans pounced for Jaguar in a Sao Paulo slipstreaming chess match
The fumble that inadvertently aided da Costa in Formula E's Cape Town classic
The fumble that inadvertently aided da Costa in Formula E's Cape Town classic The fumble that inadvertently aided da Costa in Formula E's Cape Town classic
How Vergne kept his cool to triumph in spicy Indian Formula E encounter
How Vergne kept his cool to triumph in spicy Indian Formula E encounter How Vergne kept his cool to triumph in spicy Indian Formula E encounter
Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence
Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence
The key factors behind Porsche's strong start to Formula E's new era
The key factors behind Porsche's strong start to Formula E's new era The key factors behind Porsche's strong start to Formula E's new era
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.