Calendar, race format, Abt, Prost: the latest Formula E news
The conclusion of the championship is fast approaching, with only the double-header in New York left to be contested. As usual, MotorsInside brings you the latest information in the world of Formula E.
The 2018-2019 season calendar officialized:
On the occasion of the FIA World Council meeting in Manila, the nearly final version of the calendar for season five of the Formula E championship was revealed. It will be the most comprehensive schedule the discipline has known so far, with no less than 13 races on the program.
The first race will take place in the streets of the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh on December 15th. The second event will be held for the third consecutive time on the permanent circuit of Marrakech on the weekend of January 12th, 2019. The third event is yet to be determined, it should normally be organized in Santiago, Chile, but on a different circuit than this season’s, on the weekend of January 26th. Then, the championship will go to the Mexico City circuit on February 16th before returning to Hong Kong on March 10th for a single race event this time, unlike the two races this year. To conclude the season outside of Europe, the single-seaters will likely head to the Chinese island of Hainan on the weekend of March 23rd, although its occurrence remains highly uncertain.
The European tour will start this season in Rome on April 13, before returning to Paris the weekend of April 27. Then, Formula E will meet in Monaco on May 11, likely on the long circuit. This event alternates with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. To conclude this long season, the second Zurich race will take place on June 9 before the final two races in New York on July 13 and 14.
#FE – @FIAFormulaE revealed their calendar for Season 5 !
Full story here: https://t.co/iac8O7Z6f5 pic.twitter.com/0FbpFxoCCo
— FIA (@fia) 7 juin 2018
The new race format and the boost zone confirmed:
From next season, races will no longer be counted by lap but will have a fixed duration of 45 minutes plus one lap. As previously announced, each driver will have access to a power boost period for their single-seater (225 kW instead of 200). To do this, they must pass through a specific zone that will trigger this mode. The duration of this boost mode activation and the number of uses will be determined by the FIA for each circuit. The activation of the higher power mode will be indicated to spectators by a graphic and also by the lighting of LEDs placed on the halo.
Daniel Abt confirmed at Audi for the next season.
The German driver was confirmed during the Zurich weekend as the main driver for the Audi team for the next season. Abt is currently having his best season in the discipline with two victories. He should have won a third victory in Hong Kong if not for an unfortunate infraction by his team. This successful season and the notable improvement in his performance are the main reasons for this decision. The team’s lineup will remain unchanged as Lucas Di Grassi was already confirmed a few months ago. Both drivers have been part of the team since the start of the championship in 2014. The Brazilian warmly congratulated his teammate on his deserved continuation, according to him. The third driver will remain Nico Muller for season five. The Swiss DTM driver will continue to operate in the simulator.
3 wins, a 3rd in the drivers standings and 3 teams championship can be considered a great achievement. Thanks to everyone and all the sponsors for these amazing 4 years. @renault_fr @LEMOConnectors @8Js_Official @Richard_Mille @hp @Acronis @juliusbaer @jpdriot @Sebastien_buemi pic.twitter.com/rRHeUm7D2g
— Nico Prost (@nico_prost) 12 juin 2018
Nicolas Prost will leave Renault e-dams at the end of the season.
The son of the four-time Formula 1 world champion will no longer be a member of the French team starting from the end of this season. The decision was made by mutual agreement between both parties. Nicolas Prost had been part of the team since the inaugural season of the championship alongside Sébastien Buemi. Prost actively contributed to the team’s three consecutive constructors’ titles, winning the Miami race in season one and both London races in season two. However, since then, his performances have worsened, as evidenced by his current eighteenth-place ranking. The French team owned by Jean-Paul Driot will come under Nissan’s management starting next season. It seems that Nissan intends to incorporate a Japanese driver into the team alongside Buemi, although nothing confirms this today.
