What to Expect From Formula E’s Opener
New Cars. New Drivers. New Format. Expect the unexpected from Formula E’s opening race in Saudi Arabia this weekend.
Formula E enters its fifth season with a brand new car. The series’ original chassis, the Spark-Renault SRT 01E, is replaced with Spark Racing Technology’s SRT05e chassis. Renault exited Formula E to focus fully on its Formula One team. The rear wing is gone with a focus on aerodynamics in the floor and chassis.
A new battery is also powering the cars this season. No longer will drivers be switching cars halfway through a race. Drivers will have to go the full race with one battery.
Along with these technical changes there are two major driver changes as well. Two more Formula One drivers are entering the sport. The former Sauber, Ferrari, and Williams driver, Felipe Massa, enters the series driving with Venturi. Bolstering 11 wins and 41 podiums on his Formula One resume he easily is a favorite to compete for the title. It wouldn’t shock anyone to see Massa take the checkered flag on the streets of Riyadh this weekend.
Joining the Brazilian in the switch from Formula One to Formula E is disgruntled McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne. The 2015 GP2 Series winner will hope to return to winning ways as he joins HWA Racelab.
With Massa and Vandoorne joining the Formula E lineup there are now 8 drivers on the grid with Formula One racing experience making it the most competitive field of drivers Formula E has ever had.
Why is it important to mention Formula One experience?
All four champions in Formula E are past Formula One drivers. Last season, former F1 drivers won six of the twelve races, captured seven pole positions, and five fastest laps. It is important to remember bonus points are awarded to the polesitter and the driver who lays down the fastest lap during the race. Do not be surprised if another F1 driver is crowned champion this season.
It should be noted Pascal Wehrlein will not be racing this weekend for Mahindra because he has to honor his Mercedes factory contract. Instead, 3-time Formula E winner Felix Rosenqvist will make his final start with Mahindra before moving to Chip Ganassi’s IndyCar team in 2019.
When the lights go out Sunday in Riyadh drivers will not be competing against each other for a set number of laps. The 2018/19 season will have drivers going wheel to wheel for a forty-five-minute set time plus one lap after the time expires.
Drivers will have to manage their batteries this weekend around the 2.5km Ad Diriyah Circuit.
Different power modes in the cars will make for interesting strategies among the teams. Will teams conserve battery early and save it for the late stages? Or will teams try and build the lead early and conserve at the end around the 21-corner circuit?
If you are an F1 fan needing some offseason excitement try tuning in this Sunday because, unlike F1 in recent years, you can expect the unexpected in Formula E.
