Formula E – The future of Motor Racing?

Spark – Renault SRT_01E Formula E Race car Frankfurt 2013

In a world where the natural resources are diminishing and global warming proving to be a major challenge, one must be wondering what steps FIA is taking to address these issues and reduce its carbon footprint? The answer to this is Formula E, a new and ambitious FIA championship featuring Formula cars powered exclusively by electric energy. FIA has sent out a strong and positive message to the world that it is indeed using all its resources and expertise to address all these concerns. FIA President, Jean Todt, feels, “This spectacular series will offer both entertainment and a new opportunity to share FIA’s values for clean energy, mobility and sustainability. The FIA is definitely looking to the future!”

Indeed this idea of Formula E is one for the future. But at what stage is Formula E at the moment? Is it still in the drawing board like many of such “innovative” and “path breaking” ideas or has there been some serious steps taken towards making Formula E a reality? Surprisingly, FIA is right on the money when it says it is looking to the future, because Formula E is ready to kick off its inaugural season in September 2014 and will run through until June 2015! There are already eight teams on board, betting on clean and sustainable energy as their future drivers of growth. The Formula E races will be called as e-Prix, just like Grand Prix in Formula 1. There will be a total of 10 rounds which will be held in 10 cities across the world (however the current list is still provisional).

Formula E Holdings (FEH) is the promoters of Formula E and Alejandro Agag, will be the CEO.

So, how does Formula E work and what are the basic rules governing it? Let’s find out:

Number of teams allowed and the rules pertaining to them

There will be a total of 10 teams. Each team will include two drivers and four cars (two cars for each driver). At the moment 8 teams have confirmed their participation. They are

• Drayson Racing Formula E Team
• China Racing Formula E Team
• Andretti Autosport Formula E Team
• Dragon Racing Formula E Team
• e.dams Formula E Team
• Super Aguri Formula E Team
• Audi Sport ABT Formula E Team
• Mahindra Racing Formula E Team

The organizers are confident that the remaining two teams will soon be on board.

Engine and Chassis

For the first season at least all the teams will be using the “Spark-Renault SRT_01E”. Spark-Renault SRT_01E is the result of collaboration between Spark Racing Technologies, McLaren Electronic, Williams Advanced Engineering, Dallara and Renault. This particular model meets all the specifications set by the FIA. The car weighs 1,793 pounds, which will include the lithium-ion batteries weighing almost 441 pounds. The chassis will be made by Dallara, the outfit behind IndyCar, whilst the aerodynamic specification of the car was undertaken by both Dallara and Spark. Made from carbon fibre and aluminium, the chassis is both super lightweight and incredibly strong and fully complies with the 2014 FIA crash tests. The electric drivetrain and corresponding electronics are supplied by McLaren, the Rechargeable Energy Storage System will (RESS is nothing but the batteries) come from Williams Advanced Engineering and Renault will be overseeing the integration of various systems and will also be the Championship’s Technical Partner. Vincent Carre, Renault’s head of electric vehicles, says, “We need Formula E to explain to people that electric cars are for today not for tomorrow.”

The electric engine can churn out a maximum output of 200 kW/270 bhp enabling the car to reach 0 – 100 km/h in approximately 3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 220Km/h. But this maximum output is only allowed to be used during practice and qualifying without any restrictions. But, during the race, the cars are programmed into a power-saving mode, where the power output will be limited to 133 kW/180 bhp. However, drivers can use “Push-to-Pass” boost system that boosts the electric motor to its maximum output for a limited period of time.

Format of Practice, Qualifying and Race

Surprisingly, FIA has outlined Formula E in such a way, so as to ensure costs don’t run into astronomical figures, as often happens in Formula 1. The chore of practice, qualifying and race will all be held on a single day.

The practice session will last for one hour where the drivers’ can assess the conditions of the circuit and determine which strategy to be followed. The drivers’ and the team will have the option to use two cars and can change the car if they wish to. Maximum power of 200kw/270bhp will be available throughout the session.

The qualifying session will be straight forward shootout where the fastest lap time posted by the car will be taken into consideration to decide the order of the grid for the race. During the qualifying session, drivers’ are allowed to use only one car, and will have a total of four laps to set the time. Among the four laps, two will be timed laps and rest will be for an in lap and an out lap each. Again, full power of 200kw/270bhp will be available throughout the session.

The race is expected to last for an hour, where two pit stops are mandatory to change cars. But there is a little catch here; the engine will be restricted to a power of 133kw / 180bhp. To increase the chance of overtaking, the driver can temporarily increase the power to the maximum limit of 200kw / 270bhp by using the ‘Push-to-Pass’ boost system. The number of times a driver can use the ‘Push –to-Pass’ boost system is still not clear.

Why does the driver have to change the car during pit-stop?

The driver needs to change the car because, the current battery technology can only last for 25 minutes, after which the driver will have to swap to another car. The car that the driver brings in for the swap will then be recharged so that when he comes for the second pit-stop, the car will be ready to be swapped once again.

Which tyres will be used and what are the basic rules governing it?

Michelin will be the Official tyre Partner for the FIA Formula E Championship. Especially for Formula E, Michelin has developed a bespoke 18-inch treaded tyre, which can be used for both dry and wet conditions, hence eliminating the need for separate tyres for wet and dry conditions. There won’t be any type of tyre compounds (hard, soft, super softs) too. Teams will be supplied with three sets of tyres to cover both their cars for a full race day including practice, qualifying and the race itself. Interestingly, teams will not be permitted to change tyres during the race, however, there is a provision to change the tyres if there is an instance of a puncture.

Sound produced

Usually when you attend a Formula 1 one race you have to carry an ear piece with you because an F1 car produces around 150dB of sound, which is quite harmful to your ears. Formula E produces around 80dB of sound, to draw a comparison; our regular car emits 70dB of sound. So, Formula E is indeed Eco friendly in all sense of the word.

Have a look into the first ever test of Spark-Renault SRT_01E in the video below:

Formula E will be an Open Championship

Formula E championship will be run as an “open championship” which implies that each manufacturer and constructor can develop the electric drivetrain indigenously, the only clause being that it meets the technical specifications of the FIA. This rule will differ from most forms of motorsport, including F1, where each team is required to run the same engine, with the same specs. This aspect can be best attributed to the fact that FIA wants teams to innovate in the area of electric drivetrain which is still a nascent technology which hasn’t been mastered yet.

In all, Formula E is an exciting proposition, which in all likelihood should be a grand success. FIA unlike in Formula 1, has ensured that cost isn’t a major factor when it comes to Formula E. The idea will subsequently attract major car manufacturers to this category of racing as they all will want to hop onto the bandwagon of sustainable energy and finding a suitable replacement for the current model of racing which takes up a lot of resources and isn’t exactly eco friendly.

All the best Formula E! Hope your venture becomes a grand success!

Source: http://www.fiaformulae.com/home