Exclusive – Thomas Chevaucher (DS Performance): « to offer a great show, always with technologies representative of the production car »

The partnership is still recent. Arriving in Formula E in the summer of 2015, the French manufacturer DS Automobiles was joined in matrimony with the British team Virgin Racing, owned by billionaire Richard Branson. A first marriage, marked by five victories in three seasons and a consistent performance in the constructors’ standings: 4th, 3rd, then 4th again in the most recent 2017-2018 season.

But last summer was the one of change: a new partnership with the Chinese team Techeetah, the team of the reigning champion, Jean-Eric Vergne. To complete the pair, André Lotterer, triple winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A very solid driver duo to driver the Gen 2 single-seaters. Overseeing the whole operation is Thomas Chevaucher, technical director of DS Performance, the motorsport branch of the DS Automobiles group. Having a background in rallying and the WRC with Citroën, the native of Sarthe gave us a few minutes in the heart of the pit lane, just before the Paris ePrix.

Thomas, five months later, how do you assess the start of the DS Performance-Techeetah collaboration?

« It’s going very well: there is a real partnership. The goal was to create a homogeneous team: that’s the case, since we are all based in the same location at the Satory site, in Yvelines. All the engineers are there, those from DS Performance but also those from Techeetah. »

And what is the distribution between the two entities?

« It is quite simple: DS Automobiles is the manufacturing part of the association. We manage the development of the powertrain (editor’s note: the electric motor), from its design to the manufacturing of the parts. Then, the racing part is reserved for Techeetah, which handles everything to achieve the best possible performance. »

Precisely, how is this powertrain being developed?

« We push the available technology in the automotive market: Formula E is a development accelerator! For example, DS Performance works with partners specialized in manufacturing electronic components for production cars. We use the most recent and efficient technologies: it’s up to us to master them as best as we can for Formula E. »

Are there very specific stages of evolution throughout the season?

It should be noted that no further development is possible on this powertrain group or on the inverter (editor’s note: the inverter is an electronic board that allows the control of the motor of a Formula E car as well as its gearbox). The parts are homologated and sealed for the year. Each driver has two sets of parts: two motors and two inverters.

On the other hand, the software that controls these electric motors is open for development. And here, new optimization possibilities are discovered every day, either in energy management during races or in performance optimization for a lap in qualifying mode.

It is this utilization of software that allows us to harness the quintessence of the technologies at our disposal.

Among the other innovations on these single-seaters, there is also the disappearance of the rear wing. How do you manage without it?

It’s due to the support generated by the enormous floor seen at the rear of these cars: it’s equivalent to that of a classic rear wing! Furthermore, this floor improves drag and causes less rolling in a straight line: this system is therefore much more efficient.

Increasingly efficient cars, then, but what is the driver’s role in the settings?

« It is very important: the drivers have very little track time: Friday’s shakedown just ensures that the cars are functioning well. Adjustments are made on Saturday in a limited time, so there’s no room for error! As soon as there is an issue with our plan, it generally compromises the results of the ePrix. Therefore, we need to have the most precise feedback possible. For this, having drivers of Jean-Eric and André’s caliber is essential. »

« The best chance to fix a problem on a race day is between FP1 and FP2: there are 90 minutes to work with the drivers and make the necessary adjustments. Otherwise, there’s little chance it will go well until the end »

So far, your drivers are indeed at the top of their game, with a victory for Jean-Eric and impressive podium finishes for André… But seven different winners in seven races… is that truly a good sign of the competitiveness of the discipline?

« For the championship, it’s very positive. The regulations are made so that all the cars have a chance at victory; currently, there are 7 out of 9 that are competitive, so it’s not bad. Obviously, let’s not lie to ourselves: we would prefer to be alone in front! But it’s also very good to be in a competitive championship. The goal of our presence is also to advance electric technology: everyone is pushing very hard, as we can see with all these major manufacturers on the grid. »

To progress, are there exchanges with F1 teams?

« No, because Formula E is a discipline of its own: not closed off, but the technologies we use are specific, close to everyday cars. This is not the case for F1, for example, or even in WEC (Editor’s note: the World Endurance Championship): their technologies are not geared towards the drive of an electric car! »

How important is electric technology precisely in the motorsport of tomorrow?

« It is not only important for the motorsport of tomorrow: it’s important for the automobile of tomorrow in general! We can see this with the electrification of the DS brand, which plans to sell all its electric models from the year 2020. It is therefore very important for us (DS Performance) to support the electrification of the automobile in general. »

What do you hope for the future development of Formula E?

« The roadmap for the series is well known until season 9: with the constructors, we are discussing the long-term future of the championship. The goal is to continue offering a great show while still using technologies that are representative of what we see on the road. We can’t wish for anything other than maintaining a level of competitiveness with seven winners in seven races! »

And can we move towards even more power?

« Yes, but it is not a goal in itself: we want to stay on city circuits to be close to the fans. Increasing the power of the cars would mean changing the layout and possibly the location of the circuits for safety reasons. »

« Having phenomenal power in a Formula E car is not vital for the spectacle!

»

From our special correspondent in Paris