ePrix de Mexico: Overview and challenges

Buemi at the last minute, but in an armchair

Who can stand in his way? With his 75 points, Sébastien Buemi’s season is so far perfect. Just over a month ago in Buenos Aires, the reigning champion set a record by becoming the first Formula E driver to secure three consecutive victories.

And consequently, his lead in the drivers’ championship has significantly increased. Whatever happens in Mexico, it’s the Swiss driver who will leave at the top of the overall standings. Only one driver can hope to catch up to him with a maximum score (the 25 points for the win combined with the three points for pole position and the point for the fastest lap): that is Lucas di Grassi.

After clinching his very first personal pole in Argentina, the Brazilian will be eager to step up a gear, following a second place in Hong Kong and a third place in Buenos Aires. In fact, di Grassi hasn’t experienced the thrill of the top step for over 11 months, and his victory on the streets of Paris! An eternity for the Audi Schaeffler Abt driver, the moral winner of the 2016 Mexico edition, disqualified after the finish. But the former Formula 1 driver with Virgin can count on his rival’s overloaded schedule. And for good reason: after participating in the inauguration of his new Toyota during the WEC Prologue in Monza, Buemi only took off for Mexico late in the day on Friday. The spearhead of the French team will only arrive very early Saturday, just before the free practice. Like Stéphane Sarrazin and José Maria Lopez, all members of the Japanese brand in Endurance.

For the anecdote, Sarrazin is replaced by Tom Dillmann (2016 Formula V8 3.5 champion and former GP2 driver) in the Venturi for the shakedown.

Beyond these headliners, attention will be focused on the Techeetah garage. On one hand, we will be monitoring the confirmation of progress by Jean-Eric Vergne, who secured the team’s first-ever podium on Argentine tarmac (with his second place).

But above all, the weekend’s main attraction will be Esteban Gutiérrez. The teammate of the French driver, who also made the jump from Formula 1 to Formula E in his time, is taking over the seat of Ma Qing Hua. Officially confirmed over a week ago, the former Haas driver (0 points in 2016) will be participating in his first ePrix in front of his fans. To warm up, the Monterrey native gave a preview to his supporters with a first run in the streets of Mexico this past Sunday. This appointment is certainly intriguing, and it will be worth comparing Gutiérrez’s learning curve to that of his now very experienced teammate, who has 13 starts in the discipline.

Regular in every race (three fourth places), Nico Prost will seek to raise his game to strengthen Renault e.Dams’ lead in the constructors’ standings. As a reminder, the team led by Jean-Paul Driot already has 51 points over the chasing team, Abt Schaeffler Audi Sport.

Behind, let’s not forget the young and fast Felix Rosenqvist, crowned with a pole position, a podium (both in Marrakech) and two fastest laps this season.

Little in the spotlight, Jérôme d’Ambrosio will remember the 2016 edition. The Belgian benefited from the disqualification of Lucas di Grassi to win the Mexico ePrix, on a technicality.

A circuit with character!

Formula 1 followers now know this Rodriguez Brothers circuit, the setting of 17 Grand Prix, renovated in 2015.

Arguing on the same site, the Formula E track is much shorter, measuring 2.1 km in length. The electric single-seaters’ track uses part of the main straight and the last sector, which is winding and comprised of slow corners, around a baseball stadium. Let’s remember that this arena can accommodate up to 27,000 spectators in race configuration! To break the speed, two chicanes are always on the menu: in the 1st and 14th corners. Let’s not forget the 3rd corner, a very long U-shaped curve, which can create major differences in terms of grip.

Moreover, the only permanent circuit of the season is also atypical with its 2,500-meter altitude, offering unprecedented racing conditions compared to the other meetings of the season!

What’s new from Buenos Aires?

The constructors committed for season 5 are revealed

Formula E is sustaining its activity. The FIA recently announced the manufacturers registered for the 2018-2019 season. Among them, we will find familiar names like ABT (associated with Audi), Mahindra, Jaguar, or Renault e.Dams. Already partially involved, the manufacturers BMW and DS will take full control of their team. Additionally, Jaguar Land Rover, NextEV NIO, Penske Autosport, and Venturi Automobiles are the other teams in the running for now.

Curiously, it should be noted that Mercedes’ interest has not yet concretely materialized, as evidenced by its absence from the list of participants. However, no hasty conclusions should be drawn: the brand with the Star is still in the running to compete in the future. Moreover, it is not the only one. This Thursday, Sergio Marchionne himself stated in an FIA magazine that Ferrari needs to be involved in Formula E. According to him, hybridization is part of our future.

Let us recall that this fifth season heralds a true revolution. The drivers will indeed race with a single car throughout the entire duration of the race, with a battery that will increase from 28kWh to 54kWh!

The new Berlin ePrix track is revealed.

Called hastily to fill the gap left by the withdrawal of Brussels, the double event in the German capital now has its layout. After a 2016 meeting in the heart of the city, due to the migrant crisis that had requisitioned Tempelhof Airport, the Berlin ePrix returns to the track used in the first season, with a modified configuration. Drivers will compete on a redesigned 2.25-kilometer track. The new layout will include 10 turns, in a counterclockwise direction. This reimagined track will meet the demands of the season 3 Formula E cars, which are faster compared to their predecessors.

Formula E awaits its little sister

The success of Formula E is about to inspire imitators. Like F2 (formerly GP2 Series), Alejandro Agag’s series is looking to develop its own support series. A consortium between Dallara and Belgian engineers recently resulted in the development of a 100% electric Formula 3-type car. Powered by a 15kWH battery, the single-seater would have a power output of around 200 kW, or a little over 270 horsepower. As in Formula E, drivers would have to change cars halfway through the race.

Ambitious, Thierry Deflandre, CEO of the Zolder circuit, is responsible for this great project. His objective? To assemble a full grid of cars labeled Formulino E, by the end of the current Formula E season. The ultimate goal is to create a standalone championship for the next season.

Formulino E Junior Electric Racer Revealed https://t.co/6KZX1OpSfv pic.twitter.com/H2nFN3txMx

— transport green (@transport_green) 29 mars 2017

In the same vein, let us recall that electric racing has also been established in rallycross with the creation of a 100% autonomous championship called E/RACING, which will be launched next fall.

Attentive to developments, Jean Todt made an observation in favor of electric vehicles. For the FIA president, motorsport is undergoing significant change. Interviewed in a dedicated magazine, he stated: “I am convinced that hydrogen will be a technology used in the future. I think motorsport is in full transformation. Maybe in 5 years, the rally car will be 100% autonomous!”

Your TV program

Still holding the rights, the Canal+ group will offer you the chance to experience this Mexico ePrix live. You’ll have to stay up for it! The date is set for this Saturday, April 1st for the Qualifications, broadcast at 10:45 PM delayed on Canal+Sport.

You won’t have to change channels to follow the Course, broadcast live, with a start scheduled for Midnight!