Sébastien Buemi and Renault e.dams put both titles back on the line

The only 100% French team on the grid has already entered the pantheon of Formula E.

Renault e.dams is simply the team that has dominated the two constructors’ titles since the creation of the championship. Each time, the French have fought against the Germans of ABT Schaeffler, with success in the end. With Sébastien Buemi’s drivers’ title, won last July, the record is almost perfect: we can also add a runner-up drivers’ title in 2015, also achieved by the Swiss.

This year again, the team will be led by Jean-Paul Driot, also the owner of the DAMS team; and Alain Prost, the Professor himself. The structure will once again receive significant support from Renault: the diamond brand being very involved in the championship, now appearing as the main name of the team ahead of e.dams.

As a result, the team that had the best car of season 2 is determined to continue riding this momentum into season 3, fighting for victory in every race.

In response, Alain Prost shared his ambition for the upcoming season:

« Our goals are the same as the last two years: to win both championships! We have a good structure and a good partner with Renault, which provides strong technical support. In all areas, there is real cooperation and a lot of cohesion, which is extremely important. Our motivation is stronger than ever, even though the challenge ahead will be very difficult. »

Jean-Paul Driot, the other co-owner of the team, adding here: « The new car looks very good, we are eager to race again in what seems to be an even stronger series. We need to put everything we’ve learned into practice to achieve what we want to do this year. »

For this, the new Renault Z.E 16 retains the effective technical features. Comprising a Spark-Renault SRT_01E chassis, the unique powertrain is still directly developed by Renault Sport Racing at its Viry-Châtillon engine base in the Paris region. As per FIA regulations, the maximum power of the unit is 200 kilowatts, equivalent to 270 horsepower. In race mode, the power is 170 kW (230 hp).

In terms of design, the reigning champions have unveiled a new car adorned this time in a bright blue color, with bright yellow accents on its sidepods. Furthermore, it is this model and not the 2015-2016 model that is currently on display at the Renault stand at the Paris Motor Show, alongside the R.S.16 labeled Formula 1 car of the Renault Sport Formula One Team.

According to Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director of Renault Sport Racing, this livery has a very special significance:

The choice of bright blue for the Renault Z.E.16 firmly anchors Renault e.dams within the Renault and Renault Z.E. brands.

Moreover, there are many similarities at the sight of the Formula E and F1 single-seaters. Both sport matte colors and flashy touches. They also incorporate the diamond pattern at the heart of Renault this year.

In the blue corner! Here is the all new @RENAULTedams Z.E.16 livery for season three> https://t.co/o5tlwRUz0j #FormulaE pic.twitter.com/g3Xtf91ZtK

— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 28 septembre 2016

Sébastien Buemi: Like Lucas di Grassi, the 27-year-old Swiss driver is a key figure in the championship. Crowned as the drivers’ champion after narrowly missing out in 2015, the former Toro Rosso driver has been part of the championship since its inception.

Already very competitive during the first edition, his season was marked by three victories: Putrajaya, Monaco, and London (race 1); and two podiums, in Punta del Este and Berlin. But the outcome was cruel: stuck behind Bruno Senna’s Mahindra, he missed the first drivers’ title by just one overtake, finishing with a total of 143 points, only one point behind Nelson Piquet Jr.

However, perseverance paid off: Sébastien Buemi continued on this path for season 2. Even better, by securing three more victories (in Beijing, Punta del Este, and Berlin) but, more importantly, three podiums (Buenos Aires, Mexico, and London race 1), a sign of improved consistency.

The Swiss driver clinched the Grail with 155 points, two more than Lucas di Grassi! All this in peculiar circumstances, with the crucial importance of securing the two points for the fastest lap, following the collision at the start between the two contenders. But this very unique race now belongs to the past: he is now fully focused on the new season.

« It’s always good to remember that we won the previous championship. But the break was brief, and we quickly shifted to the new season, targeting the first race.

We know that the competition will be very tight, but we still want to win as many races as possible. I’m not only thinking about winning the title, I also want to win all these races!

We all need super heroes !! We have got ours! @Sebastien_buemi and @nico_prost. pic.twitter.com/WXZ3xdeiwN

— RENAULT e.dams (@RENAULTedams) 13 août 2016

Formula 1 driver at Toro Rosso from 2009 to 2011 (55 starts for 29 points scored), he shifted towards Endurance racing in 2013 by joining Toyota Racing in LMP1. From then on, he added the WEC world champion title to his achievements in 2014. Another epic moment of his career, let’s remember that Sébastien Buemi was part of the unfortunate crew of the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, relinquishing victory in the penultimate lap of the race, just over 5 minutes from the finish!

Nicolas Prost: The 35-year-old Frenchman will again be Buemi’s partner. A team member since the first race in Beijing in 2014, his first season was highlighted by a victory in Miami and a podium in Buenos Aires. Unfortunately, the overall performance was rather average, with 88 points and a final sixth place.

His second season was much better, especially in the final phase; with two victories in the last two races in London as well as a podium, achieved later in Mexico. He collected a total of 115 points and a nice third place in the drivers’ championship. Like many drivers in Formula E, he shares his program with the WEC championship in the private LMP1 team Rebellion since 2012. He has shown solid consistency to secure the constructor’s standings, but he will now want to fight for the drivers’ championship with the top contenders in the championship.

Just loving it. @RENAULTedams @BellRacingEU @FIAformulaE @Richard_Mille @LEMOConnectors @8Js_Official kaos-design.it pic.twitter.com/cHxnSCBICQ

— Nico Prost (@nico_prost) 24 août 2016