Formula E accepts challenge to race fastest animal on planet after fans lay down gauntlet on social media
ABB FIA Formula E Championship listens to fans by pitting Gen2 car and Felipe Massa in race against a peregrine falcon
‘I like the fact that this idea came from the fans, and Formula E listened and accepted the challenge. It was an incredible experience for me to race against the fastest member of the animal kingdom.’
Felipe Massa
VENTURI Formula E Team
AD DIRIYAH, SAUDI ARABIA (December 10, 2018) – Formula E driver Felipe Massa went up against a peregrine falcon in a straight fight to outrun the fastest animal on the planet – behind the wheel of the Gen2 car.
It’s not the first time the fully-electric Formula E car has been pitted against a member of the animal kingdom, with reigning champion Jean-Eric Vergne running side-by-side with a cheetah on the Western Cape of South Africa last year.
Narrowly edging out the fastest land mammal, fans asked for a re-match – but this time together with more stern competition. Listening to the feedback of fans on social media, it was the turn of the peregrine falcon, which is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 350 km/h (217 mph) when diving through the skies.
To download a selection of hi-res images and rights-free footage, visit – https://fiaformulae.isebox.net/falcon
However, the predator set its sights on a different kind of prey roaming through the desert – with a lure attached to the roll hoop of the advanced new-look Gen2 car.
Spreading his wings for the first time in Formula E machinery, 90-kilometres south-west of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ad Diriyah – Massa’s mirrors loomed large with the claws of the peregrine falcon. But did he manage to shake off his opponent?
To watch Felipe and the falcon in flying formation, visit – https://youtu.be/ERxeaV60_7g
Felipe Massa, VENTURI Formula E Team driver, said: “It was an incredible experience for me to race against the fastest member of the animal kingdom – it’s not something I will forget in a hurry. I like the fact that this idea came from the fans, and Formula E listened and accepted the challenge. The footage from the drive is very special and it was a privilege to take part. I’m looking forward to returning to Ad Diriyah and to start racing. It’ll be my first race in Formula E and I’m eager to get behind the wheel again. I’ve missed racing and this series has shown to be one of the most competitive out there.”
Catch the start of the new season with the SAUDIA Ad Diriyah E-Prix on December 15 – for the opening round of the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship and the competitive debut of the Gen2 car and VENTURI Formula E Team driver Felipe Massa.
To find out where to watch, visit – www.FIAFormulaE.com/tv-schedule
About the ABB FIA Formula E Championship:
The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is the closest, most intense and progressive category in motorsport, bringing electrifying racing to the streets against the backdrop of landmarks, skyscrapers and skylines in some of the world’s most famous and recognisable cities – such as Hong Kong, Rome, Paris and New York.
Formula E enters a new and exciting era in season five with the competitive debut of the next generation car. The striking new model boasts a distinctive futuristic design and demonstrates a clear step-up in performance with almost double the energy storage capacity – allowing teams and drivers to complete a full race distance at higher speeds without needing to swap cars. The Gen2 car is a testament to the ongoing advancements in battery and electric vehicle technology in the space of only four years.
The fifth edition of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship will see 11 teams and 22 drivers tackle a variety of challenging circuits in 12 cities – across five continents – in a bid to be crowned champion. Formula E will be making its debut in the Middle East on December 15 for the season-opener in Ad Diriyah, with the championship once again coming to a close in New York City over the course of two days on July 13 & 14.
The concept of Formula E is to act as a platform to test and develop road-relevant technologies, helping refine the design and functionality of components and infrastructure – actively speeding-up the transition and uptake of electric vehicles on a global scale.
Formula E is continuing to attract some of the leading names and renowned brands in motorsport and the automotive industry. For this season, Formula E has nine manufacturers on its roster – including Nissan – taking over the existing entry from Renault – and BMW linking-up with Andretti. This number is set to rise further still, with the highly-anticipated inclusion of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche in season six.
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About ABB:
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in power grids, electrification products, industrial automation and robotics and motion, 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 the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, 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 147,000 employees. www.abb.com
Sources: ABB FIA Formula E Championship PR