Presentation – ePrix de Paris: Turning the tide

Formula E dons its sparkling attire once again. Thirteen months after the grand premiere, the 100% electric discipline returns to Paris for a new edition around the Hôtel des Invalides.

On April 23, 2016, Lucas di Grassi won the winner’s cup after a race marked by the fratricidal duel between DS Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird and Jean-Eric Vergne, and the impressive comeback of Sébastien Buemi, reaching third position under the checkered flag.

**Buemi, to Make the Diamond Triumph at Home**

The European tour could not have started better for Renault e.dams. After the full score in Monaco last Saturday, the Swiss is the overwhelming favorite for the Paris round, with his three victories in the last four races. Even on a global level, the Vaudois is the leader: record holder for victories (10) and pole positions (7) over the three seasons of Formula E. With 765 kilometers led in ePrix, Sébastien Buemi is far ahead of his biggest rival, Lucas di Grassi, who has a total of 351 kilometers.

But despite all these praises, the ex-Toro Rosso driver cannot slack off. The Abt Schaeffler driver relies on his consistency as he is the only competitor to have finished the first five races of the season in the top 5. And let’s not forget that the memory of his victory last year will play in his favor…

The title race is clearly likely to be between these two men. The only major downside is that Buemi will miss the double New York ePrix in mid-July due to his commitment to Toyota in WEC. Therefore, every point scored will be worth its weight in gold!

Behind, will a surprise emerge from the pack? The gap has never been so large between the two leading drivers and the rest of the field. Nico Prost, in third place, is 56 points behind Buemi. Ninth in Monaco, the Professor’s son had a tough Saturday, marred by a qualifying error. The Paris race would be the perfect place to really kick-start his season and secure his first podium finish (with three fourth places as references). The Renault e.dams team has high hopes for its two protégés…

Before the #ParisePrix, the #ZE16 and the #ZOEeSport concept electrified the streets of #Paris! Get prepared for Saturday! ⚡️ 👊 pic.twitter.com/VnrYaUlXIP

— RENAULT e.dams (@RENAULTedams) 17 mai 2017

But let the fans of bizarre scenarios rejoice! Formula E showed us in Mexico: an unexpected race incident can reward completely unconventional strategies. So, let’s count on other assets to ignite the Parisian event.

Having grown up just a few miles from the circuit, Jean-Eric Vergne will look to replicate his impressive 2016 race that allowed him to clinch second place. Fully recovered from his collision with Piquet in Monaco, the Parisian has received medical clearance to participate.

At DS Virgin, his former team, they will also try to regain the good sensations. With a pole position and an almost double podium (Sam Bird made a mistake while holding his third place), the Franco-British cars appreciate the short track of the capital.

In the outsider category, it will be worth keeping an eye on team Mahindra, making strong plays with the experienced Heidfeld (two podiums, in Hong Kong and Monaco) and the daring Rosenqvist, with a pole position and a podium in Marrakech.

Finally, we will closely watch the ongoing redemption of the NextEV team. Champion of the first season, Nelson Piquet is on a promising streak, with three consecutive point finishes.

To be honest, the uniformity of the field gives each of the twenty competitors a chance to perform well.

Among them, a new face and a return. At Venturi, a scheduling conflict with the DTM championship prevents Maro Engel’s presence: reigning Formula V8 3.5 champion, Tom Dillmann will exceptionally take his seat.

Former driver for the Monegasque team, Mike Conway will return to Dragon Racing. The same cause and same effects for Loic Duval, also competing this weekend in the German championship. After taking Jacques Villeneuve’s place last year, the Briton, also engaged with Toyota in Endurance racing, had scored seven points in seven races.

An unchanged setting

Les Invalides still serve as the nerve center of the event, with a course designed around the building, 1 kilometer and 920 meters long, consisting of 14 turns. The Eiffel Tower remains in the backdrop, which will once again provide very beautiful images for the television cameras.

Regarding the track, the surface will always be very changeable depending on the corners. Like last year, a temporary asphalt has been laid over the cobblestones of Place Vauban, between turns 2 and 4. Managing the different surfaces will therefore be crucial. Seasonal temperatures (17 degrees at the peak of Saturday) and sunny weather will likely help the drivers get accustomed to their vehicles.

Among the highlights of this circuit, we will particularly note the first turn, bumpy, tricky, and at a right angle.

The sequence between T2 and T4 is just as complex, with the long curve towards the third turn immediately followed by the fourth turn.

The turn 7 corresponds to the slowest chicane on the circuit, which leads to the longest straight.

The drivers will then have to be cautious of T8, very tight, taken in third gear; before reaching the opposite side of the Invalides dome for the final turns. A new tight curve awaits the drivers between T11 and T13, around which the finish line will be drawn. The starting line, on the other hand, is separate, as it is set on the Boulevard des Invalides.

Entertainment for everyone!

If the race’s fate had been kind to the French competitors, the first edition was, on the other hand, marked by the disappointment of the fans. Beyond a rather limited attendance, huge advertising banners spoiled the view and the enjoyment of the spectators. In response to the criticism, this year’s main objective will be to attract a larger audience.

That’s why the organization doesn’t want to leave anyone by the wayside!

In this context, the capacity has been significantly increased: it has gone from 2,000 seats sold last year to 7,000 this year. But that’s not all! Last-minute visitors can go along the circuit or within the fan zone without a ticket. And this time, the promise is made: everyone will be able to follow the race without any hindrance, at least on giant screens, repositioned fairly.

In addition, numerous activities await you from Friday noon at the Allianz eVillage, on the Esplanade des Invalides. For the more eager, the cars will be on display in the afternoon. And the most skilled among you can challenge each other via simulators and qualify for the eRace, organized with the drivers on Saturday from 1:30 to 2:00 PM. Following this, they will join in on the autograph session, so each spectator can leave with a memento of the event!

Get down to the @Allianz #eVillage at this weekends @QatarAirways #ParisePrix to meet your #FormulaE heroes! 💪 #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/MhMNOhBxyM— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 15 mai 2017

Don’t forget the TV schedule!

To enjoy the event comfortably from your couch, head to Canal+ Sport this Saturday at 11:55 AM for the Qualifications. The two free practice sessions can be followed on the Formula E Facebook or YouTube accounts.

Then, you will find the race, presented beforehand from 3:15 PM, still on the same channel. A replay will be available for latecomers on Sunday at 11:25 AM.