Formula E has emerged from F1’s shadow – imagine what it can grow into with 1,000 E-Prix under its belt
The unpredictable nature of Formula E has brought us seven different winners in as many E-Prixs, and the willingness to embrace innovation is engaging fans like no other motorsport is currently able to
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Your support makes all the difference.Formula E certainly likes to keep us on our toes – we always say expect the unexpected – and so far this season it’s been brought to a whole new level. Not only have we had seven different winners but being from different teams means this has undoubtedly been the most exciting season so far. It is amazing to see, in terms of motorsport, just how competitive Formula E is.
With all teams racing homologated cars, each with the same battery, Formula E is a relatively level playing field, much more so than Formula One with its vast and varying budgets. And with the high calibre of drivers who have raced in F1 and won titles across DTM, World Endurance Championship and Le Mans it ensures a strong competition.
However, Felipe Massa moving from F1 to Formula E has demonstrated that it does not matter how much experience you have in one car, the Formula E vehicle is a very different beast – it handles differently, the way you manage energy is different and getting to know street circuits where there is no margin for error means that if you make one small mistake and hit a wall (rather than a run-off area) that is the end of your race. With new drivers to the sport not getting much testing time, it’s very different for established drivers to come in to a new championship and be expected to perform.
Formula E is now considered the biggest competitor to F1 which is a huge compliment. Don’t get me wrong, I am an F1 fan but there are aspects of the race that are lacking. With F1 celebrating their 1000th race recently and Formula E having had 50+ races, it’s the new kid on the block.
F1 knows they need to change, they are embracing the world of social media in a different way and having a big effect. It’s tricky to change the rules in F1 but they’re bringing in budget caps in 2021 and it will be interesting to see how that changes the competitive nature of the sport – because that is what you want, you don’t want someone from the top three teams to win every race.
Some say that Formula E is resorting to gimmicks to bring in a new fan base, but allowing fans to vote for their favourite driver to give them an energy boost in races is a brilliant and innovative way to engage and interact and it has worked. Formula E has grown three times more on digital than other motorsport championships which proves that their strategy is working and provides entertaining racing. Attack Mode – the replacement of the mid-race car swap which was questioned by some – has become one of the highlights of the race, it brings another strategic element, it mixes things up and is fantastic to watch. Do you want to know half way through the race who the winner’s going to be? No, that’s just boring!
Bringing racing to roads in the heart of cities also ensures great fan interaction through incredible accessibility. As a Londoner, I’m particularly excited to see a new British race at the Excel Centre which will be part indoors and outdoors next year.
But for now, all eyes are on the next race in the city centre of Paris, where we might be seeing the first driver winning a second race this season.
Supercharged will be bringing you all the action across the rest of the season. See the next episode on CNN International from 4th May.
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