Formula E: Thoughts from Trackside

"RWS Motorsport" (rwsmotorsport)
07/09/2014 at 16:00 • Filed to: None

Having just got back from the second Formula E test at Donnington Park, I thought I would write up my thoughts.

The Cars:

The cars look very cool in person. The teams seem to have really made the most of the styling of the bodywork, to really make the liveries look awesome. Personal favourites are the Virgin team, and Andretti Autosport. Even in bare Carbon Fibre they look very sleek and sexy.

The Tracks/Spectacle:

I think here is an area that Formula E have been really clever. The cars acceleration was impressive, equal to most open wheel cars, short of F1. Id be confident in saying they are faster than F3. They seemed to hit top speed early along the straights, and down the Craner Curves, but accelerating out of the slower corners they were impressive, and more than powerful enough to get sideways. In tight city streets I for one think these will look awesome.

The Noise:

I know this is an area that people are very skeptical of, and ill admit before the test I wasn't exactly filled with hope. However, one trackside I was pleasantly surprised. Obviously they arent the big banging V12s or V8s, or even little 1.6 turbo V6s but they do make noise. They are far from silent. The video clip below was taken using my DSLR with no mic, so its not the best, but it should give an idea. Its just getting past the fact that they dont sound like a conventional car, and they are quiet. Once your over those hurdles they do sound pretty cool (I think).

A Point Of Note:

Something I have made note of, and had a complaint about is the Fan Boost. The commentator was running a Q&A today, so I asked for more info and got a much better response than i was expecting.

Every car has a set number of push to pass power boosts, much like Indycar. The fans can vote on the Formula E website for their favorite drivers, and the most popular 3 get 1 extra boost. So its not going to take you from last to first, but it might just help to get you past the car in front if you use it right. Still not brilliant, but actually not too bad.

Final Thoughts:

Before going to todays test, I wasnt entirely convinced by the series. I thought it was too much of a flash in the pan style series, not likely to last. Having heard from the teams and the boss they are aware of the limitations of the current cars. They know that using 2 cars per race is ludicrous, and they are pushing battery technology forwards to get past this, but at the moment thats what they have.

Also, the series is so keen to engage fans, and wants to engage fans (free admission to the tests, free admission to races i believe), that it can only be good.

67 days to go till Beijing. I for one will be counting the days.

tl;dr. saw some electric race cars. they are cool. im excited.

DISCUSSION (100)

YSI-what can brown do for you > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:04

Sounds like you can hear the gearbox, which is pretty sweet!!

RWS Motorsport > YSI-what can brown do for you
07/09/2014 at 16:06

Yeah you really can. The motor/gearbox is from the McLaren P1, but slightly more tuned for the racing environment. I knew Mclaren were involved but I didnt know that which I thought was very interesting.

YSI-what can brown do for you > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:08

Sound like straight cut gears, they sound particularly awesome at lower speeds!

PheeNoIVI > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:12

Ill check it out when its on TV. Interesting enough

RWS Motorsport > PheeNoIVI
07/09/2014 at 16:14

I believe that Dario Franchitti is involved with the TV, although im not sure if thats the World Feed or just the UK. UK I know has all the races live on ITV4. First race is mid september, on a saturday.

PheeNoIVI > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:17

Good to know! Hopefully ints on here somewhere in the states

RWS Motorsport > PheeNoIVI
07/09/2014 at 16:22

Just looked on their website. FoxSports seems to be showing it in the USA, all live too. http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/guide/telev…

wtrmlnjuc > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:22

The Andretti and Virgin liveries are my favourite.

feather-throttle-not-hair > YSI-what can brown do for you
07/09/2014 at 16:25

sounds like reverse

thebigbossyboss > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:25

Cool. If a race is ever posted to youtube I may watch it.

RWS Motorsport > wtrmlnjuc
07/09/2014 at 16:28

The Dragon Racing car with its half chrome half matt black Macafee branding does look pretty good to if i'm honest.

Kinja'd!!!

About the only ones that arent that inspring are the Maharindra, Abt and the China Racing. They are just very plain.

RWS Motorsport > thebigbossyboss
07/09/2014 at 16:30

Im sure they will be. Unlike Formula 1, Formula E seems to want to embrace social media like that wonderful/slightly awful thing that it is.

YSI-what can brown do for you > feather-throttle-not-hair
07/09/2014 at 16:34

Haven't you ever wondered why ;)

feather-throttle-not-hair > YSI-what can brown do for you
07/09/2014 at 16:43

heh. i'd always sort of assumed something like that was going on. But I never took the time to actually look it up, until someone provided a link that was like right in front of me. So uhm...thanks for that.

EonLeader > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:50

The tracks are what I'm interested in here. I'm a Londoner and will most certainly be looking to go to the Battersea Park race.

RWS Motorsport > EonLeader
07/09/2014 at 16:52

Yeah Im very excited for that. Still not sure its been 100% confirmed as battersea park, but yeah i've seen the rumors that its the location. Has to be not on public road, as any public road race in England requires an Act of Parliament to take place. So only other options are Hyde Park, or Olympic Park within London id guess.

RelentlessSlacker > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:53

I'm really looking forward to it! You're right about fanboost, it's just an extra one on top of the several they already get...not a game changer, but still a retarded idea.

keviiinn! > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:53

is someone going to say these have donk wheels too?

Eezep > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:53

Was there any word on when fans would be able to vote to give their favorite driver a red shell?

Tony Soprano > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:54

They sound HILARIOUS.

I am quite looking forward to this starting though, itll be all right for a couple of seasons, then itll die.

Remember A1 Grand Prix?

RWS Motorsport > RelentlessSlacker
07/09/2014 at 16:55

I was relieved as i thought it was much more beneficial than that. Yeah still not great, but not as bad as expected. I guess its just another way to promote the series and in its first season I can understand that mentality.

RWS Motorsport > Tony Soprano
07/09/2014 at 16:57

Yeah thats my biggest concern is it will go the same way as A1GP. I think so long as they dont try to run before they can walk they will be ok. I dont love that its a spec series but to start it makes sense. It does seem the guys in charge have their heads screwed on about the realities of the series. Not surprising as Agag runs Dams GP2 team, and Vasseur runs ART,

Dslay04 > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 16:57

The more high performance battery R&D, the better.

RWS Motorsport > Dslay04
07/09/2014 at 17:01

Exactly. There are plans to implement wireless charging zones onto tracks in year 2, so the cars can charge as they drive. whether that will happen i dont know, but its certainly a promising idea.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > feather-throttle-not-hair
07/09/2014 at 17:15

Troll comment of the day:

They're so slow, they go in reverse forwards!

Wunderchoc > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:18

(cough) Donington*

Eggshen2012 > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:19

So, we can hear the gear box.

"Wow, that is one sweet sounding gearbox!"

This is the future of auto racing? Gear box whine?

RWS Motorsport > Wunderchoc
07/09/2014 at 17:21

whoops :/ ha damn. I thought i'd done alright on the spelling. Mispelt perhaps one of the most important words ha.

RWS Motorsport > Eggshen2012
07/09/2014 at 17:23

The whine is the motor, rather than the gearbox (i think). The biggest noise at donington was the wind noise down through the faster sections, and the tyres squealing when they were really pressing on. To be honest, im not fussed what the noise is, i think it sounds pretty cool, if a little unusual.

Tony Soprano > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:26

Lack of sound is going to kill it. Its a big part of it.

I went to the british GP last weekend, shit. Theres no sound, just a shit thrumming noise.

Never going to a Grand Prix ever again. Most people around me were complaining about it too.

People like cars being loud.

m4ximusprim3 > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:29

I would like to see fanboost taken to the next level and implemented in real-time. It would be sort of like the hunger games favor system- imagine it!

You're the crowd favorite, pressing hard, neck and neck with a jerk that everyone hates, and all of a sudden your wheel lights up- the crowd has favored you with boost! You hit the button, edge him into the last turn, and the crowd goes wild.

Everyone gets what they want, except the jerk, because fuck him.

Wunderchoc > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:29

It's an easy mistake to make! Trust me, you're not the first. ;)

Zundfolge > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:30

See anyone with one of these?

Kinja'd!!!

m4ximusprim3 > m4ximusprim3
07/09/2014 at 17:30

Or, in the real world, reddit decides to just give the jerk unlimited boost with a modified LOIC. But hey, it's the future, right?

RWS Motorsport > Tony Soprano
07/09/2014 at 17:31

I love a loud car as much as the next man. I was at the Nurburgring 24h and waking up at 6am on sunday to gt3 cars is simply wonderful. Noise and smell is why i love classic racing too. But Formula E is a completely different game. its not primarily trying to attract old school die hard fans, its trying to appeal to a new audience, hence some of its track locations in Uruguay and Malaysia. I think old school fans will watch as a matter of interest.

Honestly, I dont think after the first race anyone will mind about the noise. I know people are up in arms about the F1 noise, but thats because it went from big screaming V10s, down to slightly smaller, slightly less screamy V8s, and now to these turbo V6s so people have lost something. By never having that noise, Formula E has nothing to loose.

Plus, if the racing is great and exciting and close, then im sure people will get over the noise pretty fast. I dont recall the commentators talking about the noise during the Nico/Lewis battle at Bahrain.

RWS Motorsport > m4ximusprim3
07/09/2014 at 17:33

Ha yeah the thought crossed my mind about how open to abuse the system is. Much like the Justin Beiber Pyongyang concert, I could really see the last place driver winning the vote ha.

Tony Soprano > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:33

Thats because there wasnt a single person at the track in Bahrain.

Thing is, people simply arent going for a quiet weekend racing.

It is one of those things that arent supposed to be quiet.

Going to a Formula E race is not something I would ever suggest doing.

RWS Motorsport > Tony Soprano
07/09/2014 at 17:36

Thats the nice thing about it though. They are being held in cities, so you dont really have to go to the race in a conventional sense. Personally id say give it a try, cause i was pleasantly surprised how they sounded track side.

But i completely understand where your coming from. There is nothing quite like feeling the ground shake as a field of 30ish GT3s roll past.

Tony Soprano > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:42

Indeed, plus you have to factor in there really isnt a lot to do apart from 30 seconds each lap the cars flying past, the the rest of the time is going to be hella boring if there isnt a massive noise occurring.

dmcspeedy > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:44

Kinja'd!!!

Odd that they have the old-style high noses after the FIA deciding they were a bad idea. for safety.

Vi517, JDX Racing > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:44

I went to Pikes Peak this year and six electric cars were present. Based on my experience, I believe people shouldn't be scared of electric racing.

Noise: Unlike the Formula E cars, the Pikes Peak cars made no noise. Actually, I'm lying. You might have been able to hear the motors, except the tire noise blocked them, and they had sirens to warn spectators (so you don't get hit). Formula E wouldn't be as quiet.

Speed: THEY ARE FASTER THAN $#@&!!!! The lack of noise helps amplify the speed, as your attention is not polluted by the roar of an engine. Three of the top four cars this year were electric, so performance is definitely not lost (except for the top speed). The speed of electric racing cars is truly extraordinary.

If you are complaining about a "lack of noise" and "excitement" in racing with the loss of a combustion engine, go to a race and WATCH the cars, not just listen. The shear speed of the cars makes up for the "silence". As much as I love the scream of a V12, I welcome the introduction of electric racing.

This industry is only growing, especially if oil reserves are running out .

Popular opinion is welcoming it as well. Over a third of all people I talked to at Pikes Peak liked the electric cars more than the combustion cars.

So stop whining (not you) and start following Formula E!

RWS Motorsport > dmcspeedy
07/09/2014 at 17:45

you cant apply logic like that the FIA decision making.

RWS Motorsport > Vi517, JDX Racing
07/09/2014 at 17:46

Well said. I was very cynical about Formula E, but after today im pretty hopeful.

RWS Motorsport > Tony Soprano
07/09/2014 at 17:49

Thats a fair point. I can really see where your coming from, but i think the cars are cool enough, and hopefully the racing will be good enough that it wont be a problem. Based on the number of people there today, (nearly 1000, about half as many as BTCC media day) im pretty confident people really dont mind.

Dusty Ventures > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:49

This, and the trickle down of the tech, excites me. Imagine being able to wirelessly charge your computer, your phone (your car), running your TV and your XBox with no wires attached to them whatsoever. Yes please!

Just wear your damn mask... > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:53

A1GP

Kinja'd!!!

Dusty Ventures > Eezep
07/09/2014 at 17:54

I demand nothing short of a blue shell

Tony Soprano > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:54

they wont for a period of time, but once the novelty wears off that will be the test.

Plus, if they cant poach at least one top tier driver from F1, theyre doomed. The driver line up is lame, at the moment the car and new tech is keeping interests up, but that will pass.

Same as A1 GP, everyone was like 'countries competing together in a weird format? Ill have some of that' after that wore off , they had Formula Ford level drivers to entertain them, and it died horrendously.

Getting someone HUGE to switch sides is key in their second season. This season will trade off novelty value alone.

davedave1111 > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:55

Given the people behind FE, I don't think an Act of Parliament is out of the question. Whether it's a way worth going, I don't know, but it would only take a PMB pushed through, and they have the clout to manage that. The hard part's normally getting something like this brought up in the first place, because if there's general support - Boris and the LA are in favour, as are the press and public - then it'll go through on the nod as an administrative matter.

Basically, organising something like a small, local race is next to impossible, but trying to organise something on this scale gives you bigger weapons to bring to the party.

Kookanoodles > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:55

I'm so psyched for Formula E, I'm sure it'll be awesome. As long as e.dams-Renault win, of course. Go Prost(s)!

RWS Motorsport > Dusty Ventures
07/09/2014 at 17:55

Induction charging is the technologies name. Im pretty sure you can get pads that can charge your phone if you sit them on it, and theres a battery pack that fits the Mac magic mouse that can be charged by sitting it on a pad. Yeah once this becomes more mainstream, or once the methods become more versatile, things will be grand. hopefully this will push it forwards, after all thats one of the series goals is to improve battery tech, and charging techniques

RazorGP > Tony Soprano
07/09/2014 at 17:56

You mean Indycar?

RazorGP > Tony Soprano
07/09/2014 at 17:57

The engines need a few thousand more RPM in them and a bit higher flow rate to get the sound up. The mean sound the old turbos had could come back, but it would take a bit of work.

Mikeado > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 17:57

On the performance, a writer for Pistonheads (who had very similar points to make about what he'd seen there) said that the best Formula-E time of the day - 1:31.973 - was 0.3 seconds off the lap record of a Formula 4 car. The thing about that is that while both F-E and F4 cars have ~180 horsepower, the F4 car weighs just 470kg, versus the F-E car's 800kg. What's more, F4 cars have slick tyres, while F-E cars use just one compound of treaded all-weather tyres (by Michelin), which could actually provide some interesting racing/driving.

That's fairly impressive, I think. I suspect that it's a combination of instant torque and multi-speed transmissions, so there's probably a constant peak torque output, or very close to it.

It's easy to be skeptical about Formula E, but actually after reading about the testing day I'm intrigued enough to watch it. I can dig the Sci-Fi sound too! The "Fanboost" and having to use a second car are both a shame, but the latter flaw is, I assume, only temporary. Hopefully the series itself isn't.

RWS Motorsport > davedave1111
07/09/2014 at 17:59

There was a motion by the MSA to bring through a proposal to allow closed road motorsports in England again. However this was before the tragedy at the Jim Clark Stages in Scotland, and I worry that the proposal has been quietly dropped.

With the FIA backing, your definately right, they would have the clout to push through the change, but i just dont know if they will. Either way, there are 3 sites in London that would work without an AOP, so should get a green light here soon.

Tony Soprano > RazorGP
07/09/2014 at 18:02

Not really, oval racing doesnt really appeal to me. The middle part of the race seems pointless to me.

I know people say oval racing is a skill, and Im sure it is, but its pointless as well.

RWS Motorsport > Mikeado
07/09/2014 at 18:02

RE laptimes. F4 cars are now well developed and very well understood by the teams, and i imagine the fastest lap was absolutely flat chat. Today i dont really think i saw anyone going for it absolutely flat out, on a pure qualifying run. Plus this is only their second test, so lots of set-up work to do, both on suspension and power delivery.

Competely agree about the Fanboost and Second car issues. But the series really dont want to keep using 2 cars per driver, and as soon as the technology is there they will move to a single car. Fanboost seems like its here to stay, but as its only 1 extra push to pass, i can live with it.

Tony Soprano > RazorGP
07/09/2014 at 18:03

Im hoping next season they sort it out. It is woeful this year.

I understand F1 is incredibly boring, one team always runs away with it, so dont take the iconic sound away!

davedave1111 > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 18:05

The idea there was to get rid of the ban completely, though, wasn't it? For single races you just need to get an exempting bill passed, which is much easier.

Someone on here pointed me at the Birmingham Superprix street-races of the late eighties, which I hadn't heard of before. They were a one-time (or rather, four-time) exception, for example.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingha…

dmcspeedy > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 18:09

True. Could be that the spec for Formula E got frozen as far back as 2011/12 maybe?

RWS Motorsport > davedave1111
07/09/2014 at 18:10

Oh ok, i didnt realise it was possible just to get an exemption. I thought it was an all or nothing deal. I knew of the Birmingham Superprix, but thought that was pre-ban. Thinking about it, it must be possible to get an exemption, as Brighton runs a 1/2mile drag race as a 'hill climb' event on the seafront every september (although not in 2013, after a fatality in 2012).

Hmm thats very interesting though. If Formula E could get an exemption and run on the streets of London that would be incredible.

RWS Motorsport > dmcspeedy
07/09/2014 at 18:12

I cant remember when the Spark SRT car was designed, but i think it was more recently than that. i think it was being drawn up end of last year.

Its only f1 thats gone for the dildo low noses so I dont think its a design guideline that applies to all new single seaters.

jalopwarg > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 18:12

Any idea what killed almost every race track in this country from drag strips to road courses? Yep, the noise. Imagine being able to have a track in any city, and I mean IN the city, and never getting noise complaints from the neighbors! Not to mention that electric cars are the way of the future and all the best advances in technology and safety come from racing, so I'm all in!

RWS Motorsport > jalopwarg
07/09/2014 at 18:16

Couldnt agree more. Noise Complaints crush conventional motorsport. Brands has a 6.30pm curfew for the neighbours. Snetterton can only run a 24h race as its in the middle of nowhere, and even then its only 2cvs, which are quieter than the main road next to the track. Mallory was in a world of trouble over its noise complaints (although in that case, the track was taking the piss, and the residents were completely in the right).

Being able to race in city centres will be excellent.

Massively increasing development in electric cars will be excellent.

lets just hope the racing is ...... excellent :)

davedave1111 > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 18:19

"I knew of the Birmingham Superprix, but thought that was pre-ban. "

Oh no. British Racing Green came about as a result of the ban, it's that old.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_r…

It's well over a hundred years since the ban came in, although I haven't checked the exact year.

"Brighton runs a 1/2mile drag race as a 'hill climb' event on the seafront every september"

Really? I'd never heard of that. I'd have gone if I knew :)

This must be it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brighton_…

According to Wikipedia, it's actually a private road, owned by the council - or at least, that's the legal fiction they're using to get around the ban. I suspect it's still technically illegal, but the police are turning a blind eye.

It's worth noting that the Tour de France cars were breaking all kinds of traffic laws on the closed roads, and no-one said anything - unless they get a bunch of traffic-light-camera tickets in the post in a few days. The enforcement authorities - police for most things, councils for a few - can always choose to use their discretion to ignore an offence.

RWS Motorsport > davedave1111
07/09/2014 at 18:23

Brighton Speed Trials are back on this year. Dont have the date, but will be september. Well worth having a look round. I went in 2012, and got to see my first ever F40. :D and then i got to see an F40 being absolutely floored off the line and i think i died and went to heaven haha. paid the fiver to go into the paddock/ carpark, but its free if you just lean over the seafront and watch.

davedave1111 > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 18:30

Oh, awesome. Maybe we should have an Oppo meetup? Although I did just suggest somewhere it's much quicker for me to take the train to than to drive to :)

RWS Motorsport > davedave1111
07/09/2014 at 18:32

ha, plus youve got to factor in, if you drive to brighton, then parking becomes a problem ha. But provisionally yes, Im intending to head down again this year.

Eames > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 18:34

I'm not sold on the styling so far, in some angles the cars look great and in others it just seems like styling for stylings sake, the fan boost seems like a cheesy ploy for social media, but I'm interested to see how this series turns out

RWS Motorsport > Eames
07/09/2014 at 18:36

The nose/wheel fairings certainly take some getting used to, likewise the big wheels/RIMZ. All I can say is they look much better in the flesh, and when they are in a pack or running together they look pretty dramatic.

davedave1111 > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 18:37

On the plus side, though, I can have a drink. As far as I know there are a few Opponauts within striking distance of Brighton, so it's worth a try.

RWS Motorsport > davedave1111
07/09/2014 at 18:38

Certainly worth a go yes indeedy. Will have to find the date and then put a post up nearer the time.

Maxaxle > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 18:47

Fan boost sounds like a ridiculous idea thought up by the bigger teams.

NotRichBMWOwner > Dslay04
07/09/2014 at 19:14

I thought this was a spec class. No R&D needed.

NotRichBMWOwner > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 19:18

Except inductive charging is not very efficient. It takes twice as long to charge my phone vs being plugged in. This would require so much energy they mind as well be burning gas.

NotRichBMWOwner > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 19:24

I was totally on board with FE until I read about "FanBoost". Disappointing.

Canut > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 20:19

But who are these new fans that I keep hearing, because Indy has been trying to get them for years with no luck. And their product is much better than these electric cars. Very few people happen to wonder into a car race by accident and gets hooked up. They are useally introduced to racing by the old hardcore fans. Just my 2 cents.

Canut > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 20:41

It is like the WNBA; when competing against a better product in your own market, people tend to go to see the better product. The Clippers and the Lakers pack the stadium, the LA Sparks, not so much. The A Formula 1 GP brings ~100 K fans every year. How many people went to see the GP Masters series, or A1GP?

So as long as we have F-1, Indycar and NASCAR, Formula E will be something a mere curiosity, just like when you see a has-been band playing for free at a local county fair. You may watch it for a few minutes while you are there, but you will not pay to see them.

I will give them 2 or 3 years and that is it.

Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 20:42

I hadn't read about the distance problem, I assumed they were going to have a way to swap a battery. I hope the second car doesn't have an issue!

AJ bought another motorcycle > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 21:31

Anyone who is down on electric power for racing cars should really go try some electric carts near them, They're much faster and more responsive, the instant torque in extremely addictive.

iaintafraidofnoghost > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 21:37

I don't know why, but I just see batmobile

RazorGP > Tony Soprano
07/09/2014 at 21:50

I was referring to it in the spence that it is a fully spec series with the only variation being the car setup and drivers.

I agree with the distance oval racing being a large chunk of the season. They can get a good bit more road tracks in there and some more city races and you have a rather interesting series.

The 1.5 mile ovals are probably the most boring thing to happen to motor sports in the last 50 years.

RazorGP > Tony Soprano
07/09/2014 at 21:52

F1 haven't had one team dominate the season this bad before. It is a joke that other teams can't develop anything on the cars other then some aero bits and software. I would love to see a mid season allowance where people can change up what they want once a year at a mid way point.

The inter team riveter army is nice to see though. If not for that this season would have been decided already.

RazorGP > Tony Soprano
07/09/2014 at 21:55

The sound changes with every new generation of cars. The engines this year need a bit more RPM on them to get the sound up. While at it they can also increase the allowed fuel load at the start of a race.

This high ERS bullshit make it one racing lap for every 2-3 harvesting laps. It's not fun to watch on TV and not as fun in person.

Minardi Gras > NotRichBMWOwner
07/09/2014 at 22:34

It's only spec for the first year in order to get it up and running.

Nathan G. Freeman > RWS Motorsport
07/09/2014 at 22:36

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Minardi Gras > dmcspeedy
07/09/2014 at 22:38

The high nose was mostly an issue in F1 during nose-to-wheel contact (causing things like Mr. Webber's flight at Valencia a couple of years ago) - I guess with the bodywork covering the front and rear tyres on the FE cars there is less risk?

dmcspeedy > Minardi Gras
07/09/2014 at 23:24

I thought they were also worried about t-bone collisions where the nose might ride over the side of the cockpit? Good point about the covered wheels though.

Canut > jalopwarg
07/10/2014 at 01:28

It wasn't only the noise. Also the value of the real estate the tracks occupy.

Yarrrmatey > RWS Motorsport
07/10/2014 at 01:33

Induction charging is nice but horribly inefficient. With a modded Galaxy Nexus then Nexus 4 and 5, I haven't had to plug in my phone in nearly 4 years. But the charge rate is significantly slower, and temps can get ridiculously high.

It feels bizarre when I have to plug my phone in when out and about now, as its been so long since I've had to at home/in the car. Convenient but inefficient.

Yarrrmatey > RWS Motorsport
07/10/2014 at 01:56

Did they mention anything about the 100m sprint between cars during pit stops? I remember hearing about it a lot initially, but haven't in recent articles.

Would be pretty ridiculous if your favorite driver is eliminated from the race because he sprained his ankle during the pit stop foot race. Perhaps they got rid of it entirely, because a foot race combined with FanBoost would be enough for me to totally dismiss it as a viable series.

syl69432@doiea.com > RWS Motorsport
07/10/2014 at 02:14

AsphaltAthlet > RWS Motorsport
07/10/2014 at 03:16

As our team will be the only german one participating the Formula E (our name is "Audi Sport ABT Formula-E Team") I am really looking forward for the series opener in September...

Kinja'd!!!

RWS Motorsport > Yarrrmatey
07/10/2014 at 05:26

It wasnt mentioned, and they did discuss the mid race car change. I think it might have been quietly dropped. It doesnt make sense just from a practical point of view to store the two cars exactly 100m apart, so I doubt we will see that in Beijing.

RWS Motorsport > NotRichBMWOwner
07/10/2014 at 05:27

Its not as bad as it could be, thankfully its only 1 extra push to pass. I'm not saying I like it, but i was pleased that it wasn't a complete farce. Again the series is quite realistic about it. Its not there to get the last placed driver first, but it might just help with a final overtake if needed.

hoi20862@doiea.com > RWS Motorsport
07/10/2014 at 06:28

———————————> http://www.Jobs700.com

FoxFive0 > RWS Motorsport
07/10/2014 at 08:31

Free admission? Awesome! Looking forward to Miami in March!

ronaldleldridge > RWS Motorsport
07/10/2014 at 08:51

www.jobs700.com

Ntovorni > RWS Motorsport
07/10/2014 at 09:14

Any news on TV coverage?

SaiDas > RWS Motorsport
07/10/2014 at 09:31

The Noise: Like the experience of a Formula 1 race for a deaf person.