This is an exceptionally late thread start because I thought the race was next week. However I am wrong and Formula E's third round happens tomorrow on the streets of Santiago in Chilie. The track is different this year, which is a plus if it's stopped it running alongside that open sewer like it did last year. It was a really good race last year though with Teechetah dominating. JEV and co will be hoping for a repeat performance.
Two races into Gen 2 of Formula E and it seems that the new gen will bring us the same close action as Gen 1. It's quite clear there are two packages that are above the rest of the field (Teechetah and BMW) but they are struggling to take advantage of this mainly due to driver error and the qualifying format. The grids get so mixed up in Formula E because one lap pace goes against all other aspects that make you a contender in a race. Add to that the close street circuits and the fact you get one lap at 250kw (25kw than at anytime all race day) it leads to mixed up grids. Mixed up grids usually lead to good races. I imagine once again we'll see the likes of Turvey or Bird on pole when we know full well they don't have the race pace.
Which leads us on to our current championship leader Jerome D'ambrosio. Imagine you'd been drafted into an upper midfield team as the experienced driver to help shepherd the new young superstar but then found yourself leading the championship after two rounds? You'd be pretty ecstatic - and Jerome was, you only have to watch his celebrations last time out. I don't think D'ambrosio expects to challenge for the title but he also has nothing to lose so expect to see him pushing it at the front once again this time out. The real title challengers are Felix Da Costa and JEV - both of whom could be sitting here as two time winners. JEV is quite pragmatic and I don't expect him to feel the pressure took much. Felix Da Costa could be a different story. He's always been prone to crack under pressure and the quickness in which he accept responsibility for an accident that was clearly 50/50 makes me think his head might be going down. He really needs a bounce back this weekend.
Both need to get a move on because Marrakesh sent a clear message that Audi aren't there yet but they are coming and they are dragging their customer team with them. The question for me is how big a points gap they can build before Di Grassi and Bird get equal machianry. We saw the disastrous start Di Grassi had last year and he still pulled it back to be within spitting distance by the end.
As for the others? Jag need a win to justify involvement. HWA need some laps and to stop hitting each other. Nissan just need that little extra something to put them in the mix. Venturi need to be interesting, Dragon need to be noticed and NIO? Who?
Race is live in BBC red button at 18:30 on Saturday 26th.
A race replay as live is also on the BBC Red Button at 21:35 on Sunday 27th
Two races into Gen 2 of Formula E and it seems that the new gen will bring us the same close action as Gen 1. It's quite clear there are two packages that are above the rest of the field (Teechetah and BMW) but they are struggling to take advantage of this mainly due to driver error and the qualifying format. The grids get so mixed up in Formula E because one lap pace goes against all other aspects that make you a contender in a race. Add to that the close street circuits and the fact you get one lap at 250kw (25kw than at anytime all race day) it leads to mixed up grids. Mixed up grids usually lead to good races. I imagine once again we'll see the likes of Turvey or Bird on pole when we know full well they don't have the race pace.
Which leads us on to our current championship leader Jerome D'ambrosio. Imagine you'd been drafted into an upper midfield team as the experienced driver to help shepherd the new young superstar but then found yourself leading the championship after two rounds? You'd be pretty ecstatic - and Jerome was, you only have to watch his celebrations last time out. I don't think D'ambrosio expects to challenge for the title but he also has nothing to lose so expect to see him pushing it at the front once again this time out. The real title challengers are Felix Da Costa and JEV - both of whom could be sitting here as two time winners. JEV is quite pragmatic and I don't expect him to feel the pressure took much. Felix Da Costa could be a different story. He's always been prone to crack under pressure and the quickness in which he accept responsibility for an accident that was clearly 50/50 makes me think his head might be going down. He really needs a bounce back this weekend.
Both need to get a move on because Marrakesh sent a clear message that Audi aren't there yet but they are coming and they are dragging their customer team with them. The question for me is how big a points gap they can build before Di Grassi and Bird get equal machianry. We saw the disastrous start Di Grassi had last year and he still pulled it back to be within spitting distance by the end.
As for the others? Jag need a win to justify involvement. HWA need some laps and to stop hitting each other. Nissan just need that little extra something to put them in the mix. Venturi need to be interesting, Dragon need to be noticed and NIO? Who?
Race is live in BBC red button at 18:30 on Saturday 26th.
A race replay as live is also on the BBC Red Button at 21:35 on Sunday 27th
