FORMULA E, THE ULTIMATE RACING SERIES?
A recently founded sport is now rivaling the racing levels of F1, is all this fuss really worth something?
Exciting Locations
F1 is renowned for being the 'global circus' however Formula E brings this diversity to a completely different scale. F1 recently unveiled it's plans to host a 2020 Vietnamese GP , Formula E also introduced plans to extend its ever growing network of races with the new addition of the Ad Diriyah ePrix in Saudi Arabia. From the lively streets of Marrakesh to the passionate fans of Santiago, we are exposed to bucket loads of cultural diversity which clearly gives us an insight to how FE has manipulated its surroundings along with a very environmentally friendly PR team, to give fans fast paced action from all corners of the globe.
Diverse range of drivers
Felipe Massa announced his arrival in Formula E would be with Venturi for the 2018/2019 season
Formula E offers a place for rookies of Motorsport to try and compete with drivers whose careers haven't achieved what they wanted in their previous racing series or to battle it out with extremely experienced racers. From the sheer experience of Felipe Massa to the diminished reputation of Pascal Wehrlien, we are treated to a constant and continually evolving championship where we really don't know who will win. FE also gives the chance to give ex F1 drivers a chance to win elsewhere, the newest addition being Stoffel Vandoorne who, to this day has not scored a single point since he joined at the beginning of the 2018/2019 season. On the other hand, ex Toro Rosso drivers Sebastian Buemi and Jean-Éric Vergne have had fruitful success in the sport taking one championship each, Buemi being the most successful driver in the 5 year history of the sport, has proved his talent after being booted from F1 after the 2011 season. As of now 9 drivers of the current FE grid were at one point full time F1 drivers, this is a obvious example to show how new racing series can salvage the remnants of one's career.
Sebastian Buemi celebrating his win in the 2015 Beijing ePrix
Technical Galore
Ever since the series was announced back 2011, the technical regulations was thought to be daft yet FE founder Alejandro Agag was adamant to press forward this idea of a 100% Eco-friendly racing series which was to be advertised across the globe. Every year, the manufacturers would bring a new rendition to their cars such as new inverters or a completely redesigned drivetrain. Nothing, however, can be compared to the stark contrast of machinery from last season to this season as the changes consisted of a bigger battery so the cars could go one full race length without the drivers having to pit in to change the car and a reinvented aerodynamics system which would revolutionize the way the cars would look. I've been lucky enough to see the NIO FE car at the 2018 Good Wood Festival Of Speed and I can say with the utmost confidence that it was one of the most futuristic things I had ever seen. That is what FE intends to do going forward, to spread a message of sustainability along with some of the best racing in modern times.
Fan Interaction
Sam Bird celebrates his win at the 2019 Santiago ePrix
Formula E wants to carry their international mission of a 'greener tomorrow' by involving fans, namely younger audiences. Mentioning the extremely clever PR team again, the official Formula E YouTube channel uploads a live stream of the current race but with a twist. In a new bid to entice the younger audience, popular mainstream YouTubers such as KSI or WillNE are also watching the race on the livestream provided, adding their comments, along with the added 'celebrities', many giveaways are initiated throughout the duration of the livestream which again, is all in the name of increasing FE's value to a much wider audience. At the actual race venues, there are allocated fan zones, more commonly referred to as eVillages, which are dedicated to educating the fans of FE the importance of keeping our environment clean and stable, further promoting FE's 'green' image. This is also a worthy adversary to the fanzones that of F1 as the eVillages offer seating areas and a chance to learn about the advancement in electrical automobiles in the history of Motorsport. Formula E car simulation games are also available to play in the esports arena which gives all the visitors a taste of what it is like to drive a Formula E car. The drivers are also said to be very friendly towards all audiences, whether young or old which makes FE have a very positive image in terms of fan interaction. The FE social media team also tries to interact with the younger fans in order to maintain their interest in the sport.
The esports arena offers a near enough realistic simulation on the impression of driving an FE car
The fan relaxation zone offers a place for visitors to unwind whilst watching the race
Intense battles between manufacturers
Formula E has the bragging rights to be the most technically advanced racing series in the world (apart from RoboRace). This means that Manufacturers can exploit the FE fanbase in order to give themselves an Eco-friendly reputation as well as a platform for them to test new and evolving electrical drivetrain systems. Companies like BMW and Nissan have used FE as frontiers for their new an upcoming electric car developments. This not only heightens reputation but also increases profit as more people are likely to buy a car from a team with a multiple race winning electrical car, as previously demonstrated by Mercedes in 2014. I have often had the conversation with my friends that FE should be about pushing the limits of technology rather than focusing on the diversity of things, however, this was before the 2nd Generation of FE cars were unveiled and personally speaking, I believe that the FIA has done a wonderful job at blending the culture of the race surroundings with the complicated yet somewhat interesting. FE does seem like a place where a lot of major manufacturers are investing, chiefly expressed by the admission of Mercedes and Porsche for the 2019/2020 season.
Is it really the ultimate racing series?
Felix Rosenqvist elated with his victory at the 2017 Berlin ePrix
I would personally say no, it still needs some time to win over a few die hard F1 fans, but I truly support the idea that within the foreseeable future, the popularity of F1 is rivaled with that of Formula E. I will definitely be watching this season as a close fight between most of the field helps with the treacherous F1 winter break. What are your opinions on Formula E?
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Comments (2)
personally, i wouldn't have that if i was f1
no seriously, it's good but a -ve is the changing of cars halfway through, it's exciting but it requires double the cars for every race
Good point