Radical change to race format sees split power modes on offer creating additional strategic element and unpredictable racing
MANILA, PHILIPPINES
(June 7, 2018) – Formula E and the FIA have today revealed the calendar for the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship, as well as details on the new race format and split power modes on offer alongside the new-look next-generation car in season five.The calendar was published following the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting in Manila and features 13 races in 12 cities across four continents – starting in Ad Diriyah with the debut of Formula E in the Middle East on December 15 and coming to a close in New York with a doubleheader on July 13 and 14.
The ABB FIA Formula E Championship returns to a number of existing venues and locations including Marrakesh, Mexico City and Hong Kong, which moves to a later date in March. Together with events in Africa, Asia, and North America – next season also sees the introduction of the newly-titled voestalpine European races.
Formula E cars will tackle a number of cities spanning the continent, with the European leg comprising of races in Rome, Paris, Berlin and Zurich, in addition to visiting the streets of Monaco for a third time on May 11 – appearing on the calendar on a bi-annual basis.
The FIA also released more details on changes to the race format taking into account the increased power and energy storage capacity of the Gen2 car for the coming season, which can complete a full race distance without the need to make a mid-race car swap.
In a bid to promote a mixture of strategic options, as well as further enhancing and retaining the intense and unpredictable nature of Formula E races, it will be mandatory for drivers to use two different power modes over a race distance.
Drivers will be able to access 225kW of power in a higher mode – as opposed to the standard 200kW available during the race – once they’ve passed through a single activation zone. The activation zone will be clearly visible and marked out on the circuit for fans trackside and those watching on TV. The two power modes on each car will be indicated using different colours on the innovative LED system on the halo head protection device.
The exact number of individual uses and relative duration of the higher power mode will vary at each event and will be determined by the FIA. It will be at the discretion of the teams and drivers when to activate the higher power mode throughout the race within the limits set by the FIA.
Drivers will also be able to activate FANBOOST – the unique interactive voting mechanism that allows three drivers to receive extra energy – only when the cars are running on a higher power mode, taking the maximum power available to 250kW.
Other alterations for season five include changes to the number of cars making it through to the super pole shoot-out, in order to accommodate the larger grid of 22 cars. The new qualifying format now sees the top-six fastest drivers after the group stages battle it out to secure Julius Baer pole position.
Race distances will no longer be measured using a pre-defined number of laps, but will instead run to a strict time limit of 45-minutes plus one lap to reach the chequered flag. The prize for fastest lap will also be replaced, with points being awarded to the most efficient driver classified in the top-five positions – rewarding the driver who has used the least amount of energy.
Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, said: “The ABB FIA Formula E Championship has always produced highly-competitive and unpredictable racing. Formula E is synonymous with innovation and pioneering technology – that’s exactly what we’ll be seeing again next season with the step-up in performance and efficiency of the futuristic next generation car, as well as trialling unique and radical concepts to usher in a new era of Formula E. The new format and split levels of power being introduced for season five will add an extra strategic element and continue to offer intense and exciting competition between some of the most talented drivers and biggest brands in motorsport. I’m looking forward to seeing the new cars and format in action against the backdrop of iconic city skylines – starting in Ad Diriyah in December.”
2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship
Round City Country Date
1 Ad Diriyah* Saudi Arabia December 15, 2018
2 Marrakesh Morocco January 12, 2019
3 TBA TBA January 26, 2019
4 Mexico City Mexico February 16, 2019
5 Hong Kong China March 10, 2019
6 TBA China March 23, 2019
7 Rome Italy April 13, 2019
8 Paris France April 27, 2019
9 Monaco* Monaco May 11, 2019
10 Berlin Germany May 25, 2019
11 Zurich** Switzerland June 9, 2019
12 New York City USA July 13, 2019
13 New York City USA July 14, 2019
*Subject to circuit homologation
** Subject to ASN approval, circuit homologation and final approval of the city
About the ABB FIA Formula E Championship:
The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is the electric street racing series and the world’s first fully-electric international single-seater category in motorsport. Formula E brings electrifying wheel-to-wheel action to some of the world’s leading cities, racing against the backdrop of iconic skylines such as New York, Hong Kong, Paris and Rome.
The inaugural season of Formula E sparked into life in September 2014 around the grounds of the Olympic Park in Beijing. The fourth edition of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship will see 10 teams and 20 drivers compete in 10 cities spanning five continents in the fight to be crowned champion. Hong Kong hosted the season-opener over the course of two days on December 2 & 3, with the championship coming to a close in New York in July.
Formula E is more than just a race to be the best – it’s a competitive platform to test and develop road relevant technologies, helping refine the design and functionality of electric vehicle components and speeding-up the transition and uptake of clean transportation on a global scale.
For this season, more manufacturers have joined the electric revolution with reigning champion Lucas di Grassi looking to defend his title for the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team. More big-name manufacturers have also committed to race in Formula E – including BMW and Nissan in tandem with the new-look car and battery in season five, along with Mercedes-Benz and Porsche who also plan to join the following year.
Follow Formula E:
www.FIAFormulaE.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FIAFormulaE
Instagram: www.instagram.com/FIAFormulaE
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FIAFormulaE (@FIAFormulaE)
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FIAFormulaE
About ABB:
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalisation with two clear value propositions – bringing electricity from any power plant to any plug and automating industries from natural resources to finished products. As title partner of Formula E, the fully-electric international FIA motorsport class, ABB is pushing the boundaries of e-mobility to contribute to a sustainable future. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 135,000 employees. www.abb.com
Title, Global and Official Partners
Sources: ABB FIA Formula E Championship PR
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (June 7, 2018) – Formula E and the FIA have today revealed the calendar for the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship, as well as details on the new race format and split power modes on offer alongside the new-look next-generation car in season five.