FIA Formula E Championship 2014-15

[Mr Pink]

Very interesting indeed! Can't wait to see how it works in a few years.

[bella]

Originally Posted by wolfhound

Interesting technology involved as it could have major uses in road transport, but I wonder how much it costs.

in this kind of situation, where new technologies are actually being showcased to both the public and the manufacturers, one would presume that the costs would be distributed in another direction other than the driver, which presumably is what you're implying here. it doesn't strike me as being a classic driver -> team -> series cash flow situation.

this isn't a brand awareness issue like common sponsorship and partnerships in f1. this is introducing people and business to new technologies, and that's definitely worth absorbing the cost for. the more customers you have, the more feedback you get, the quicker you can develop the product. otherwise it's just a boffin in a cleanroom with a scalextric set

[jondownunder]

The new car has been launched, and will interestingly run on all-weather, custom-made 18" treaded Michelin tyres.

-Formula E unveils new Spark-Renault SRT_01E at Frankfurt Motor Show
-Pictures

[ace007]

Wonder about the safety aspect of the recharging mid-race? Very dangerous for the mechanics, all pressured to be as quick as possible...

[bella]

it's not recharging mid-race is it, it's car-swapping for the moment. which is odd, but will be interesting to see how quickly teams develop a procedure for it!

[Mekola]

I've looked at the data about the cities where the venues will be. Someone has to advice FIA that the fare for Buenos Aires subway is 2.50 pesos each trip! Thanks of judicial resolutions, the fare didn't leap to 3.50 pesos for the moment.

[ace007]

I really hope Agag and his team will market it right as this championship deserves a place on the professional racing agenda. I love my "dirty loud racing" but it is the future whether you like or not. And it is right. The very best way to attract major sponsors and endorse an environmentally friendly position. I hope big names will be attached to it and attract a huge audience in its first year already!

[Mr Pink]

I think they might be very exiting to watch too. All the torque delivered at once and on those all weather tires..

[BertMk2]

Will there be a car / stand at the Autosport show in January? (a long time off I know!) - it'd be good to see one in the flesh as it were and get an idea of how it compares size wise with F1 and other single seaters.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by ace007

Wonder about the safety aspect of the recharging mid-race? Very dangerous for the mechanics, all pressured to be as quick as possible...

Originally Posted by bella

it's not recharging mid-race is it, it's car-swapping for the moment. which is odd, but will be interesting to see how quickly teams develop a procedure for it!

It's funny how things have evolved, at one point there was a suggestion of drivers having to run a distance between cars....

Race with 3 stints and 2 pit stops
Pit stop will involve a change of car: when the battery runs out, the driver will make a pit stop, then will run 100 metres to climb into a recharged car

http://www.fia.com/championship/fia-...e-championship

The latest version ...

Race
Races will begin by standing start and last for approximately one hour with drivers making two mandatory pit stops in order to change cars. ...
Pit stops/Car changes
During races, drivers must make two mandatory pit stops in order to change cars. This must take place in their box and be observed by an FIA steward to ensure all safety equipment is correctly applied. Tyre changes, unless a puncture, are not permitted during this pit stop.

http://www.fiaformulae.com/guide/event-format

Whilst I find the idea of running 100m between cars amusing, I'm more concerned about ensuring that drivers don't have their seatbelts undone etc as they come down the pitlane and more importantly aren't allowed to leave until belts are securely done up.

Perhaps have the multipoint harness connected a kill switch, hit the release button on the belts before the car stopped - instantly flagged up penalty.
Getting into the new car, it won't start until lets say 5 second after final belt clicked into place - this would allow the driver or an assistant to pull the belts tight before the car can move.

Time could still be made or lost by the actual getting out, moving to the other car and then getting in and belted.

[FormulaE]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

It's funny how things have evolved, at one point there was a suggestion of drivers having to run a distance between cars....


http://www.fia.com/championship/fia-...e-championship

The latest version ...

http://www.fiaformulae.com/guide/event-format

Whilst I find the idea of running 100m between cars amusing, I'm more concerned about ensuring that drivers don't have their seatbelts undone etc as they come down the pitlane and more importantly aren't allowed to leave until belts are securely done up.

Perhaps have the multipoint harness connected a kill switch, hit the release button on the belts before the car stopped - instantly flagged up penalty.
Getting into the new car, it won't start until lets say 5 second after final belt clicked into place - this would allow the driver or an assistant to pull the belts tight before the car can move.

Time could still be made or lost by the actual getting out, moving to the other car and then getting in and belted.

Hi there,
Just on the pitstop/car change point. Pitstops will have to be a minimum of 30 seconds in order to ensure all safety equipment is correctly applied. They will also be observed by an official.

[FormulaE]

We've just released the provisional calendar for the 2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship. Let us know what you think!
http://www.fiaformulae.com/news/form...ional-calendar

[NaBUru38]

2014/15 Formula E provisional calendar:

20 September - Beijing, China*
18 October - Putrajaya, Malaysia
8 November - Hong Kong
13 December - Punta del Este, Uruguay
10 January - Buenos Aires, Argentina
14 February - Los Angeles, United States
18 April - Miami, United States
9 May - Monte Carlo, Monaco*
30 May - Berlin, Germany
27 June - London, United Kingdom

* Subject to ASN approval

They are close to signing the deal with Uruguay! That's cool! (Some pictures of 2010)

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

2014/15 Formula E provisional calendar:

20 September - Beijing, China*
18 October - Putrajaya, Malaysia
8 November - Hong Kong
13 December - Punta del Este, Uruguay
10 January - Buenos Aires, Argentina
14 February - Los Angeles, United States
18 April - Miami, United States
9 May - Monte Carlo, Monaco*
30 May - Berlin, Germany
27 June - London, United Kingdom

* Subject to ASN approval

They are close to signing the deal with Uruguay! That's cool! (Some pictures of 2010)

It looks like they decided to scratch Bangkok, Rome, and Rio. Not surprised; those were the three cities really worrying me as far as feasibility. This schedule looks very reasonable. Also, nice to see Hong Kong on the list - I was about to suggest it here, actually! Like Beijing, it suffers from severe pollution problems that will be excellently highlighted by having an all-electric Grand Prix, but unlike Beijing, it actually has some glamour surrounding it. Beijing is essentially a big, dull, financial, grey dystopian metropolis, whereas Hong Kong has quite a bit of glitz and sparkle to it. Very excited to see it on the schedule.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Running on the Friday of the Historic GP Weekend is a little out of place and "time", but getting to run at Monaco is a coup in it's own right.

It would have been very difficult to punt one of the F1 supports, but would have been excellent publicity all the same.

[Mekola]

Alas, is interesting to see that the Buenos Aires event will be during the Dakar days, considering the Dakar will still be running in South America.

[Nick Woodbury]

Very excited for this new series. I hope that it will succeed at all the rounds it participates in, especially the US.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

Very excited for this new series. I hope that it will succeed at all the rounds it participates in, especially the US.

And especially excited for Miami! LA may be a bit of a bore... I never liked that city much. But Miami should be an excellent spectacle, and the circuit should be exceptionally beautiful if they choose to run it around the Biscayne Boulevard area. Truly a gorgeous city...

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

Running on the Friday of the Historic GP Weekend is a little out of place and "time", but getting to run at Monaco is a coup in it's own right.

Well, Formula E is part of the history, right?

[Asa]

Team Rosberg is interested to become one of the 10 teams.

[Formulahistory]

Souces?
Is Keke Rosberg still involved in the team?

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Asa

Team Rosberg is interested to become one of the 10 teams.

Cheers, Asa. A link would help, though.

[Asa]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/110286

Here you go.

[Juntos]

So much fuss around Bangkok and where is Bangkok race now? Too noisy for the city council perhaps.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Juntos

So much fuss around Bangkok and where is Bangkok race now? Too noisy for the city council perhaps.

I'd say it has to do with the series's image. Perhaps Bangkok is too chaotic, run-down, and decayed to hold a street circuit race. It's a very interesting city, but perhaps not the fit for racing. Cuisine, yes!

Here's an article that sort of sums that up:

http://www.traveling9to5.com/2012/05...rd-world-city/