The world’s first fully electric racing championship, Formula E, officially gets under-way in Beijing tomorrow (televised at 8am UK-time on ITV4).
Set to take place around the grounds of China’s iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium, the venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games; Formula E is hoping to make an exciting impression in it’s first official outing.
The course is 3.44km in length and features 20 turns. The twenty Formula E drivers will tasked with negotiating twisty chicanes and tight left-hand turns, against an impressive cityscape backdrop. They will be battling it out to gain first advantage in the overall championship standings, for both their teams and as individual drivers.
With the course offering numerous overtaking opportunities, the difference may be decided by the controversial FanBoost. It is still possible to vote for a driver or change a vote until 1 hour before the race. (Vote here)
Lucas di Grassi, Audi Sport Abt Formula E Team driver, said: “The Beijing track is an amazing facility. For the drivers, it will be a tremendous challenge to learn the limits of this track quickly, as well as to understand the best overtaking opportunities. The most obvious places are likely to be Turns 1, 2, 6, 19 and 20.
“The circuit will also require lots of traction and braking stability, while the energy recuperation at braking zones will help to stabilise the car. Also, it will be our first ever race, so all the drivers will be raring to go! The pit lane is also unique and requires some special practice to get right, also because drivers have to switch cars in their pit box.”
The championship aims to spark a new-wave of exciting, electric motorsport that will attract new viewers and revolutionise a market dominated for decades by Formula 1. Moreover, through glamorising electric vehicles and carrying out valuable research and development (such as on wireless charging), the FIA Formula E championship hopes to act as a platform for electric cars and sustainable mobility in general.
For more information on Formula E’s format and how it aims to promote electric cars read our Formula E feature. To see the “Story so far” watch the video below:
FIA Formula E
