London ePrix 2024: Presentation and stakes of the last ePrix of the season
This weekend, the British capital hosts the last two races of Formula E season 10, at the end of which we'll know the final driver and team tables.
We’re there! The climax of the Formula E season 10 is approaching, and the two London races on the horizon will conclude an exciting season where seven drivers can still vie for the championship title. Suspense and tension will therefore be present at the ExCel London circuit, which is hosting the last two races of the season for the second consecutive year.
London, capital and distributor of titles
In addition to hosting the official residence of the British royal family and some of the most iconic monuments in the world, London has had the honor of awarding three of the nine titles in the history of Formula E.
Present on the calendar since season 1 in 2015, the British capital has always experienced race doubles. In the inaugural season of the electric single-seater championship, despite the victories of Sébastien Buemi and Sam Bird, it was Nelson Piquet Jr who was crowned champion.
The following year, Nicolas Prost became the first driver in FE history to win two races in the same weekend, and it was Buemi who was crowned champion. London was then absent from the calendar for several seasons before returning in 2021 to the ExCeL London circuit, the first two editions of the ePrix having been held at Battersea Park.
In 2021 and 2022, the two races are placed in the penultimate position on the calendar. Jake Dennis wins once each year while Alex Lynn and Lucas di Grassi win the other two races on the program.
In 2023, London regains its place for the final, and Jake Dennis is crowned champion. The two races are won by current Jaguar drivers Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy, during an edition where rain had disturbed drivers and organizers.
The shortest circuit on the calendar
The layout of the London ePrix has the particularity of being composed of an indoor part and an outdoor part that winds its way in and around the ExCeL exhibition center located to the east of the British capital.
With its 20 turns and its 2.09 kilometers long, the circuit is the shortest on the calendar and leaves little to no room for errors. Overtaking is difficult and qualifying is more important than elsewhere.
The first part of the track consists of tight turns before the chicane of 6 and 7 which leads to a faster section. This goes from turn 8 to turn 16 with first turn 9, which is a 90° right-hand turn and determines the longest straight line on the circuit with the start/finish line.
Two chicanes follow before a right-hand turn towards braking for turn 16, where drivers find themselves back under the artificial light of the ExCel exhibition hall. The lap concludes with two tight turns after a lap where moments to catch your breath are rare for the drivers.
The suspense is at its peak for the championship title.
Who will emerge as the winner and champion of this 10th season of Formula E? Before the 15th and 16th races of this exciting season, seven drivers can still vie for the title, while Jaguar and Porsche are battling for the crown on the team side.
With twelve points ahead of his teammate Mitch Evans, Nick Cassidy is the favorite for the title. But be careful. The vice-champion of season 9 is coming off two blank finishes in Portland and will have the pressure of someone who will have to defend his position.
With equal points to Evans, Pascal Wehrlein intends to take advantage of the battle between the Jaguar drivers to benefit. Winner of two races this season, the Porsche driver would like to become the first German to be crowned in FE.
Fourth, thirty-three points behind Cassidy, Antonio Felix da Costa aims to play spoilsport. Winner of four out of the last five races, the champion of season 6 is on an impressive streak and will be closely watched in London.
Respectively three and five points behind the Portuguese driver, Oliver Rowland and Jean-Eric Vergne can also be crowned. The former may have lost his hopes of winning after his very damaging withdrawal in Portland for medical reasons. As for the Frenchman, he can rely on his vast experience to outshine all his competitors.
Finally, it will be very difficult, but mathematically possible, for the defending champion Jake Dennis to retain his title. With forty-five points behind Cassidy, he would need a little miracle to become a double champion in the discipline.
The start of the two races of the London ePrix will be given on Saturday, July 20th at 6pm and on Sunday, July 21st at 6pm (French time).
