When Oliver Askew makes his Formula E debut next Friday in Saudi Arabia, he'll be representing more than Andretti Autosport. The American rookie will also be representing his country and supporting the environment, an opportunity the 2019 Indy Lights champion "couldn't turn down."
Askew, the first ever full-time Formula E driver from the U.S., will team with the U.K.'s Jake Dennis for Season 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The first two races of the fully-electric racing series are next week in Duriyah, Saudi Arabia, and Askew can hardly wait.
"It's gonna be an exciting journey," said Askew, who'll pilot the No. 28 BMW iFE.021 this season. "The racing format is unlike anything I've experienced in the past, obviously, with saving energy, and it's basically just a high-speed chess match."
While Askew has yet to experience a Formula E race, Formula E has yet to have a full-time American driver. Askew says being Formula E's first American driver comes with "pride and pressure," and the 25-year-old is hoping his presence will both grow the sport and promote sustainability in his home country.
The sustainability part is particularly important to Askew, who was raised in the coastal town of Jupiter, Florida.
"I grew up by the beach and around nature, outside most of my life, and yeah, it means a lot to me," Askew said. "And it's something that I care about, something that I'm passionate about, although maybe I haven't shown it so much in the public."
Askew will make his transition to Formula E alongside a driver who dominated as a rookie in Season 7. Dennis needed little time to acclimate to Formula E in 2020-21, finishing as the series' third-ranked driver with 91 points.
Now, Dennis – who Askew describes as "very competitive" yet also "very laid-back" – is hoping to guide Askew to a similarly transcendent rookie season.
"I honestly can't think of a better teammate to have," said Askew, who most recently competed in the IndyCar series. "I mean, he's gone through all the same things that I'm going through now."
Askew is new to Formula E but has found success with Andretti Autosports before. Andretti's "family-oriented" atmosphere is one of many reasons the Formula E opportunity appealed to Askew, who won his 2019 Indy Lights championship with the team.
Andretti Autosports owner Michael Andretti is "always there" for Askew and has "always been supportive" of his career decisions. That personal attention isn't lost on Askew.
"Just feeling that sense of support and feeling wanted within such a big team like that, I think, is really special," Askew said.
Andretti Autosport's Formula E duo of Askew and Dennis will make their Season 8 debut next Friday in the Diriyah E-Prix.
