Back-to-school season 3 in sight for Formula E

You followed it on our website, the second season had already been marked by a number of changes.

Among them, teams were now able to mount and develop their own power units on their single-seaters. For this new edition, the changes are a little more discreet, though still present.

A new front wing

The most striking visual change for Formula E followers this year will be this new, two-part front wing. For the drivers, the modification will not necessarily bring an aerodynamic and performance gain. It will mainly be for the visual aspect: with this more aggressive and distinctive aesthetic, the organizers hope to give the cars a clear and sharp identity.

Formula E has a long-term vision, this new front wing is actually just the first part of a complete overhaul that will equip the cars with a new chassis starting from season 5.

For Alejandro Agag, CEO of the discipline, the innovative aspect is worth highlighting:

Formula E aims to be different. I believe this front wing adds great value to our cars, enhancing their modern aspect while adopting an approach different from any other motorsport discipline.

For the drivers, led by Sébastien Buemi, this change does not seem very destabilizing:

« I like the look of the new front wing – it seems a bit more futuristic, and from the inside, drivers can see the upper part of the wing. I don’t think it will create a big aerodynamic change, but it’s a good way to showcase a visual development from Hong Kong. »

Always more regeneration

On the strictly electrical level, the current innovation corresponds to an increase in the energy regenerated by the electric battery. The drivers move from an average energy of 100 kilowatts (kW) in season 2 to 150 kW this year.

No doubt this will allow engineers from different teams to have a much wider strategic choice than before. Furthermore, the race configuration will remain similar, with a mandatory car change before the finish line, as they are not (yet!) capable of completing a full ePrix. However, we will likely witness even more intense race finishes with single-seaters charged with battery, potentially avoiding an economy strategy at the end of the race!

To do so, Williams Advanced Engineering has conducted intense activity to present this new version of the battery, which will now have a maximum power of 200 kilowatts!

Also, the drivers will have a new steering wheel on board, which will display more precise and equally crucial information, such as the evolution of their strategy in real-time, to have more aces up their sleeves!

Tires are also changing

The French manufacturer Michelin remains loyal to Formula E and has maintained its monopoly since the very first race held in Beijing in September 2014. For this third season, the Clermont-Ferrand-based manufacturer has introduced a new version of its 18-inch tire. The new compound is designed to better conserve energy, while having less rolling resistance and simultaneously reducing the overall weight of the car and tires.

The drivers will also be able to bring them up to temperature more quickly. But rest assured, the longevity will be similar to that of the previous version.

To be completely thorough, the tire restrictions will remain in place this year, with each driver allowed to use a maximum of five new all-weather tires at the rear and five new all-weather tires at the front, all meeting the same specification. One front tire and one rear tire must obligatorily come from the previous event.

Only one point for the fastest lap in the race

After the unexpected outcome of a second season decided by the fastest lap between Buemi and di Grassi, the decision was made to lessen the reward given to the holder of the best time on a lap during the ePrix.

From now on, there will no longer be two but only one point awarded to the fastest driver on a race lap. The interest is clear: to reward the most consistent driver over the 11 race laps and to promote the race standings, something that can prove very useful at the end of the season…

The Advent of Roborace!

Can drivers be concerned about their profession? The very first autonomous car race will take place as part of Formula E, as a precursor to the ePrix.

Let’s recall that the Roborace will feature models controlled remotely exclusively by engineers. A series model, the DevBot, has been developed. All teams will have the same models while developing their own development algorithms and artificial intelligence technologies.

According to rumors, these autonomous single-seaters are capable of reaching a speed of 300 km/h in a straight line! Ten teams, each equipped with two cars, will compete in a race lasting 60 minutes.

You’ll need to be patient to actually see the different DevBots racing at full speed on the track: you’ll only see these models for 20 minutes of testing during the first race in Hong Kong.

Discover the official calendar

As announced last spring, Formula E is taking off towards new horizons! This will be the case from the inaugural race, which we will witness at the end of the week in Southeast Asia, for the first time in the streets of Hong Kong. Additionally, Brussels has been added to the European destinations (the race is scheduled for Saturday, July 1, 2017). Formula E will also visit the African continent with a race in Marrakech, which is scheduled for Saturday, November 12, 2016.

And to finish in style, Montreal and then New York will serve as the closing for this third season, nothing less!

Recently, the New York circuit has been revealed. The first 100% electric race in Big Apple will be held in Brooklyn, in the Red Hook neighborhood, just south of the Manhattan Island, on a 1.947-kilometer circuit. Revealed on Wednesday, September 21, in the company of Alejandro Agag, as well as Jean Todt, president of the FIA, and Lucas di Grassi, along with local New York officials.

Like London in 2015 and 2016, New York will also see double with two races taking place in mid-July 2017. Although the circuit still awaits official FIA validation, 13 turns will make up the circuit, particularly around the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

Conductor of the ceremony, from Formula E, Alejandro Agag declared:

Running within New York City will be a historic moment – not just for Formula E, but for motorsports in general! It will once again demonstrate Formula E’s philosophy of bringing 100% electric racing to the world’s largest cities. When we initially started the project, we could only dream of bringing Formula E to a place like New York, with the most recognizable skyline of any other city in the world!

Jean Todt, president of the FIA, mentioned through this race the best possible combination of the two pillars of the FIA, sport and mobility. But also the mayor of New York City himself, Bill de Blasio: « Our city is a place where technology, sustainability, and commerce collaborate together. We are thrilled to be the new race venue for an ePrix. »

From a general point of view, here is the (almost) complete schedule for this third season, with 12 races having been officially announced. However, uncertainty still remains regarding the holding of two additional races and the order of the end of the schedule between New York and Montreal. The Quebec race is now favored to serve as the finale for this season 3.

Currently, the breakdown between the continents would favor Europe and North America with 4 rounds each (even though Montreal and New York will both host double races).

So out go the races held in Beijing, Putrajaya, Punta del Este, Long Beach, and certainly Moscow.

Finally, to be completely thorough, you will once again find Formula E on Canal+Sport, which retains the broadcasting rights. The appointment is set for this Sunday, from 9:10 AM, right after the Japanese Grand Prix, which will start at 7 AM on Canal+. You got it: a great Sunday morning of motorsport awaits you in front of your television… and on our website!