JAT GP ARCHIVE – Could Formula E be a challenge for F1?
The world’s first electric racing series, Formula E launched in Beijing earlier this month. Formula E is much like Formula one with the aim of making green cars more acceptable but could it take over from F1.
Power
Formula E cars are. Meaning they are powered by a battery which was developed by Williams and should last for half of the race. During the pit-stop drivers will need to jump between cars. The viewer will for the first time be able to give a boost but this is still being developed.
This means that cars aren’t as fast 50mph down of the speed of F1 cars which go around the 200mph mark. Cars last for half the race meaning a Le Mans style pit stop
Car
The car was built by Spark Racing Technology it’s called the Spark-Renault SRT 01E. The chassis has been designed by Dallara, with F1 teams McLaren building the electric motors while Williams made the battery system.
Location
All of FE races take place in cities between September and June on temporary road circuits. Places like Beijing, London, Monte Carlo (Monaco) and Los Angles. This means that the event takes place in one day made up of three sessions practice, qualifying and the race.
This also allows ‘fun’ events to take place around the race like music, arts and culture.
Tyres
All cars will have one set of all-weather tyres from Michelin. The 18-inch rims, fitted with a treaded Michelin tyre that will be used in both wet and dry conditions. But if it gets exceptionally wet theirs is an extreme wet tyre. They only have three sets per team or one and a half per car for the team.
Points
The FIA has a standard points system that we are all used to. (25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1) which are awarded from 1st to 10th place plus bonus points for pole 3 and fastest lap.
Drivers & Teams
Formula E is made up of ten teams Amlin Aguri, Andretti, Audi, China, e.dams, Mahindra, Trulli, Venturi and Virgin. Two off these teams are run by former F1 drivers and one has two former HRT team-mates Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok.
Nelson Piquet Junior is teamed Chinese-Dutch driver Ho-Pin Tung who has raced in GP2, A1 Grand Prix, Indy Car and Superleague Formula. Both are driving for China Racing.
Former F1 driver Jarno Trulli has setup his own team which he manages with a technical partnership with Drayson Racing Technologies. Mercedes test driver Sam Bird drives virgin alongside Jaime Alguersuari who raced for Torro Rosso.
Bruno Senna nephew of the great Ayrton Senna also returns to single sweater racing. Formula E also features female driver Katherine Legge who has experience in America and DTM.
Is it a challenge?
Formula E I think will attract its own following from younger people this is because it has green zero admissions. But, some F1 fans will follow the sport too because it’s not a three day event or every two weeks.
I think that it could share fans because it runs through the winter unlike most other motorsports it carries on.
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