Formula E – Beijing ePrix: Circuit Presentation and TV Schedule

The first ePrix in the history of Formula E will take place in Beijing, the capital of China, specifically on part of the site of the 2008 Olympic Games.

The circuit

The Olympic Green Circuit, 3.44 km long and consisting of 20 turns, encompasses the famous Bird’s Nest – the Olympic Stadium – and the National Aquatics Center where Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps, respectively, wrote part of their legend.

Designed by Rodrigo Nunes, this temporary urban circuit runs counterclockwise. It consists of a mix of right-angle turns, typical of city tracks but offering overtaking opportunities, chicanes (six), and straights of varying lengths. It’s already a complicated challenge as the drivers will only have an hour and a half of driving time before the race.

The opinion of… Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT)

The Beijing circuit is an impressive facility. For the drivers, it will be a huge challenge to quickly learn the limits of this track, as well as to understand the best overtaking opportunities. The most obvious spots are probably turns 1, 2, 6, 19, and 20. The circuit will also require a lot of traction and braking stability, even though energy recovery in braking zones will help stabilize the car.

Moreover, it will be our very first race, so all the drivers will be eager to compete! Similarly, the pit lane is unique and requires special training to be approached properly, also because the drivers will need to change cars in their pit.

The TV program

In France, the Canal + group has acquired the rights for the first three seasons of Formula E. It will be the CanalSat channel Sport + – which already broadcasts GP2 and WRC – that will provide live coverage of all the ePrix. Laurent Dupin, present at the Formula 1 Grand Prix for Canal +, and Renaud Derlot, who already comments on GP2, will be responsible for the race commentary this season.