The Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team has completed its second test, getting another two days of running under its belt before its debut season in 2019/20.

Gary Paffett got his first laps in the Mercedes car during the test at Italy’s Varano circuit, where he was joined by his current HWA Racelab team-mate, Stoffel Vandoorne.

The June 24-25 outing follows Mercedes’ shakedown and first test at the same track in late March, when Vandoorne and Edoardo Mortara drove Silver Arrow 01.

“It was great to get back behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz-powered car,” said Paffett, most recently a DTM driver for Mercedes-Benz.

“It’s obviously different from any Mercedes I have driven before, but it has been a fantastic test. I think that the professionalism and the skill of the engineering within the team is exceptional.

“There is no doubt there is a lot of work to do, but the test has been really positive. We’ve got some really good mileage under our belts, and the car has been very reliable. It’s been a good couple of days and I can’t wait to get back in the cockpit.”

Vandoorne added, “We’ve had two positive days of testing at Varano.

“It’s been good to track the evolution of our powertrain since the shakedown I drove in some time ago. This is all part of our long journey.”

Both drivers notched up half a day each at the test for a total of 218 laps, although the circuit layout used was not specified.

The sixth season of Formula E is set to start with a double-header in Riyadh on November 22-23, while the current season has two races left, in New York City on July 13-14.