Known for his remarkable agility and prowess on the track, acclaimed sprinter Usain Bolt has finally conceded to being surpassed in terms of speed and not being the fastest on the track.
However, this is not the same track as you might think, as the Jamaican athlete’s comments regarding not being the fastest anymore came after he drove Formula E’s GENBETA race car — a record-breaking automotive masterpiece — at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in Mexico.
The eight-time Olympic gold medalist was stunned aback by the sheer speed of the electric vehicle after taking it for a complete lap on the track which is currently hosting the 2024 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix
“The GENBETA race car [...] this is the first time in my life I’m comfortable saying something’s faster than me. That’s the first time I’ve ever said that out of my mouth. It will never happen again," Bolt said after driving the race car.
“The GENBETA race car is like a rocket ship on wheels. Getting the chance to drive it was a mind-blowing experience. The power from the start was such a surprise and the adrenaline you got is on a different level, easily.
“Driving the GENBETA was like nothing I've experienced before. I was told that as soon as you drive, you don’t want to stop or get out and they were right. I would do it every day if I could. If I get more time, I will definitely go faster,” Bolt said.
The world record holder couldn't resist testing the sprint capabilities of the Formula E GENBETA, which earlier this year broke the official indoor land speed world record by over 50 km/h, reaching 218.71km/h inside the ExCeL London.
Bolt accelerated from the starting line on the track, achieving 0-60mph in 2.89 seconds and covering 100m in 4.36 seconds — 5.22 seconds faster than his world record 100m time of 9.58 seconds.
The GENBETA incorporates various modifications to effectively “unlock” the specifications of Formula E's GEN3 race car.
Introduced last season, the GEN3 is the fastest, lightest, most powerful, and efficient electric race car ever built. With a top speed of over 322 km/h (200 mph), the GEN3 is utilised by the 11 teams and 22 drivers in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.