Starting in September 2014, a new championship put forward by the FIA is to begin.
The Formula E Championship centres around three core values of Energy, Environment and Entertainment and is a fusion of engineering, technology, sport, science, design, music and entertainment – all combining to drive the change towards an electric future. Or so they say on their website.
However, with the introduction of this championship, it shows the FIA are looking to the future and green Motorsport racing series’ appear to be the way to go.
The open championship looks set to come alive with high profile names signed on such as Lucas Di Grassi, Bruno Senna but to name a few. They have signed up to join the Formula E’s ‘drivers club’, from which the teams that have committed to the series may pick their drivers.
10 teams are to take part, running two drivers, including high profile brands such as Virgin and Venturi Grand Prix, a team co-run and founded by actor, Leonardo Di Caprio.
On Wednesday the teams with confirmed drivers took their cars to the Donnigton track in the UK where all the teams are based for a shakedown run. So far, the Virgin Racing Formula E team have confirmed former GP2 front runner and Ferrari WEC driver Sam Bird and former Toro Rosso pilot Jaime Alguesuari as their drivers. The Audi Sport Abt team cars are being driven by the experienced Audi Le Mans and former Virgin F1 driver Lucas Di Grassi, and GP2 driver Daniel Abt. The Mahindra racing team, representing India but run by the hugely successful GP2 team Carlin will see old friends and former teammates in GP2 and F1 Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok team up. Finally, The Andretti Formula E team, run by successfull Indycar and NASCAR boss have confirmed one driver in the form of Frenchman and former F1 driver, Frank Montagny.
China Racing, Dragon Racing, Drayson Racing, e.dams, Super Aguri and the Venturi Formula E teams have still yet to confirm drivers with them being able to choose from some 33 drivers still with unconfirmed drives including the likes of Jarno Trulli and Sebastien Buemi to Conor Daly and J.R Hilderbrand.
The event format is very similar to that of other FIA world championships such as F1 and the WEC, with practice, qualifying and race sessions. However, uniquely to Formula E is the pit stop arrangements:
“During races, drivers must make two mandatory pit stops in order to change cars. This must take place in their box and be observed by an FIA steward to ensure all safety equipment is correctly applied. Tyre changes, unless a puncture, are not permitted during this pit stop”.
Two cars? Well i suppose it makes sense with the energy saving engines within the cars only lasting so long. But if you think that’s a bit weird; have you heard about ‘push to pass’?
“During races only, drivers will be able to use a pre-determined number of power boosts to aid overtaking. This will increase the car’s power output from 133kw (180bhp) to 200Kw (270bhp) for a limited period of time”.
On the face of it, this looks like quite a quirky trick to this championship, until you hear the rumours that who gets the boost is determined by fans voting on twitter. I suppose this could get #FIAFE trending and therefore gain publicity but still, it seems a bit…out there.
On the other hand, with inputs from high profile Formula 1 teams like Williams and Mclaren, the series is looking set to takes off, and with test driver Lucas Di Grassi quitting his job in order to become a racing driver in the series, it must be an attractive option to those who never quite made it to Formula 1.
It could never replace Formula 1 with all it’s technology and loud noises, but Formula E provides a green alternative with it’s equally advanced technology, although very little noise and some good and popular drivers from all sorts of racing categories in Europe and America taking part and races located in major cities like London and Los Angeles. As a result, it could be the next big thing, alongside Formula 1 ofcourse.
To find out more about this fascinating new racing series, visit www.fiaformulae.com
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