Paris ePrix: Circuit Presentation and Stakes
The Formula E returns for the fourth time in its history to Paris. An event, the eighth of this 2018-2019 season, and perhaps a turning point!
A fourth ePrix in the streets of the French capital: Paris loves Formula E. And for good reason, it’s in a small Italian restaurant in the capital that the discipline officially came to life in February 2011, through a meeting between Alejandro Agag and Jean Todt, president of the FIA. Faithful to the calendar with 4 participations, the City of Light is one of the most visited by the electric world, on par with Mexico and Monaco or Berlin, with 5 ePrix for the German capital but on two different circuits.
Presentation of the circuit
Around the Invalides, the Parisian track has not changed one bit since the first edition in April 2016. With only 1.921 km and 14 turns, the circuit is one of the smallest in the championship, the third smallest behind Monaco (1.765 km) and Hong Kong (1.860 km). It’s a short track, therefore, but not as narrow as the one in the last Rome ePrix, which was marked by a massive race jam initiated by José Maria Lopez’s Dragon.
As since 2016, the start in Paris will be given from the Boulevard des Invalides. A great first opportunity for the drivers to excel, who will benefit from a short straight line before diving into a first right turn (T3), almost at a right angle, towards Avenue de Tourville. Significant drawback: the tarmac, a mix of new and old asphalt, complicates braking.
The single-seaters will then enter a snail-like sequence to the right, around the Place Vauban, between T4 and T7. A good entry is crucial and will provide speed in this series of turns! The best will make the difference in qualifying on a temporary asphalt covering the usual cobblestones. This very abrasive asphalt will likely allow drivers to set faster lap times towards the end of the race.
Different levels of grip will therefore be available to the drivers, but they must not lose speed towards the ninth turn. Why? Because it will then lead to the longest straight of the circuit and its big braking zone at the tenth turn. This zone will be one to watch: sometimes we will see overtaking, but also crashes and collisions if any driver gets too greedy. For instance, we think of Lucas di Grassi, who attempted a desperate attack on da Costa in 2017, resulting in a crash.
Crash! @afelixdacosta out after contact with @LucasdiGrassi #ParisePrix pic.twitter.com/FO8DdDFOJ9
— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) May 20, 2017
A bumpy section will follow, with a new sequence, still to the right, that now encircles the Place des Invalides, with the Army Museum as a backdrop. The drivers will then cross the timing line, which will be used for practice and qualifying sessions.
The lap ends with a quick right turn, leading to the start/finish straight. We can’t wait to see the 22 drivers launched at over 250 kilowatts in qualifying, on a circuit as tight as the one at Les Invalides!
“The Paris circuit is really typical of Formula E: short, bumpy, with lots of right-angle turns!”
(Thomas Chevaucher, DS Performance Technical Director)
Issues: first repeat winner or eighth different winner?
This 2018-2019 season is slowly entering its decisive phase. The Paris ePrix is the eighth of the season: six more are left, including Saturday’s race. However, no driver has yet emerged as the leader in the championship, with 10 drivers within 25 points, the equivalent of a victory!
Better yet, no competitor has won two races this season. So, which driver who has already won can step onto the top of the podium in Paris? It’s hard to say. Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Techeetah) and Edoardo Mortara (Venturi) seem to have a slight advantage, having been victorious on two “similar” circuits to Les Invalides, in Sanya and Hong Kong.
Among the other favorites, let’s also mention Lucas di Grassi (winner in Mexico) for Audi Sport and the second DS Techeetah, driven by André Lotterer. The German has been close to success, with impressive recent races, a fourth place in Hong Kong, a retirement in Sanya after leading until the final lap, and a second place in Rome two weeks ago after securing pole position. Lotterer could very well be the eighth different winner this season!
On the list of contenders, let’s also mention two prestigious names: Pascal Wehrlein (Mahindra Racing) who lost victory on the line in Mexico or Sébastien Buemi, who is biding his time behind the wheel of his Nissan e.Dams. 13th overall, the Swiss driver will at least have the advantage of starting among the first during the qualifying session. It’s a great opportunity!
“It will be difficult to overtake on this track. The weekend will rely even more on the qualifications!”
(Tom Dillmann, NIO Formula E Team)
The TV program
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From our special correspondent in Paris
