If you've watched Formula E in the past few years, you'll be familiar with Florida's Oliver Askew. A 2021-22 rookie who came to us following a stint in Indycar, and 2019 Indy Lights champion, he competed for the Avalanche Andretti team for one season. Earning 24 points for the team, Oliver achieved a highest finish of 4th, coming in the first London E-Prix of that double header weekend.
(photo by Formula E Media Centre/Sam Bloxham)
At the start of Season 9 he joined the Formula E television presenters as an analyst, giving expertise in a way that only a racing driver could - especially as a driver with such recent experience and having had a chance to drive a Gen 3 car too. Oliver kindly spoke to Fiercely Electric via email about the transition from racing driver to TV Analyst.
Hi Oliver! Thanks for chatting with Fiercely Electric.
I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback about your presence in the Formula E paddock as part of the TV presenters – how have you found the transition from driver to TV duties?
It's been enjoyable! Everyone on the FE TV team is super fun to be around and I still get to travel the world so there's not much to dislike. I'm happy I get to explain what the drivers are going through to the viewer.
What does a typical day look like for you when you’re covering a race on TV?
The race days are pretty busy. I'll be doing both the pre-session grid shows for FE TV and the US broadcast with Bob Varsha on CBS in Rome. This has me working non-stop from when I get to the track.
(photo by Formula E Media Centre/Carl Bingham)
What is the most memorable or challenging interview you have conducted as a TV presenter?
I generally don't like interviewing teams or drivers, but the most memorable had to of been with Dennis on the pre-grid in Jakarta.
How do you balance your personal opinions and insights as a racing driver with the need to maintain objectivity and impartiality as a TV presenter? Is it challenging to separate your own experiences from your analysis?
I find that it's best to speak without much reserve. That is what the viewer wants to hear from a driver analyst, I'm not going to cover up someone's mistake for them, I'll call it like it is most of the time.
Do you think it’s likely you’ll become a part of the Formula E TV team full-time, or are there other things you’re looking to do along with this?
To be honest, I do not know what the future holds when it comes to racing or TV. I would like to get back in a car somewhere, that's where my love is, behind the wheel.
(photo by Formula E Media Centre/Carl Bingham)
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