Meeting with Bruno Correia, Formula E Safety Car Driver
After three Formula E ePrix races, the championship's safety car has not gone unnoticed, having to intervene at least once during each race. This is an opportunity to introduce Bruno Correia, its driver.
Like all other motorsport disciplines, the Formula E championship has a safety car. And a 100% electric single-seater championship must have a special safety car, and it does. Indeed, the Formula E safety car is a BMW i8, a hybrid car that can be used fully electric.
She has been entrusted to the Portuguese Bruno Correia, 37, who has experience in driving a Safety Car as he is also the driver of the safety car for the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).
Forced to intervene during three ePrix races held so far in Beijing, Putrajaya, and Punta del Este, Correia spoke on the official Formula E site about his car, a BMW i8: « It’s a fantastic car to drive, both on the track and as an everyday car. It is powerful, eco-friendly, and beautiful. Being a hybrid, it represents the next generation of automobiles. The butterfly doors are pretty cool as well! »
The car is not the production model, in fact, it has been adapted specifically to use Qualcomm’s induction charging system, wireless and cable-free, which is convenient as explained by the Portuguese driver: « The car uses Qualcomm wireless charging which is a very efficient way to charge the car. Even when the car is stopped, it is charging. This also means you don’t have to get out of the car to unplug it, you can just start driving. Even if it’s a hybrid, it can be used in full electric mode which we do for inspection laps or simply in the pit lane. »
Bruno Correia also addressed the challenges posed by this safety car in a 100% electric category: « During the race, it is a real challenge to control the speed of the pack. Unlike other championships, drivers want to go as slowly as possible to avoid using their battery. All drivers know they must be no more than 10 car lengths [behind the safety car] so I need to keep a good pace to ensure they follow. Each safety car period is different, with many factors to consider; the type of track, the asphalt, the severity of the incident – you have to adapt. We are still learning as well and the FIA is working hard to ensure we can manage each situation in the safest way possible. »
