Formula E
 |
| File:FIA FormulaE Logo New.jpg | |
| Category | Single seater |
|---|---|
| Country | International |
| Drivers | 20 |
| Teams | 10 |
| Constructors | Spark |
| Tyre suppliers | Michelin |
| Official website | FIAFormulaE.com |
 Current season | |
Formula E, officially the FIA Formula E Championship, is a class of auto racing, sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The "formula", designated in the name, refers to a set of rules with which all participants' cars must comply. Formula E is intended to be the highest class of competition for one-make, single-seater, electrically-powered racing cars.[1] The series was conceived in 2012, with the inaugural championship to be held in 2014/2015.
In order to manage the costs of operating a Formula E team, each constructor will be mandated to make their car available to two other teams for a maximum capped price, which is currently set at €350,000.[2]
Specifications
A few details about the specifications have been released by the FIA.[1]
Overview
- There will be 10 teams, 20 drivers, and 40 cars
- Each team will include 2 drivers and 4 cars
- e-Prix will be held in 10 cities across the world
- Racing circuits will be held in cities, and will be approximately 2.5 km to 3 km long
- Cars will accelerate from 0 km/h to 100 km/h in 3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 220 km/h
- Noise decibel levels will be approximately 80 dB (SPL) (ordinary car: 70 dB; bus: 90 dB; Formula One track 130 dB[3][4])
Event
- Early morning: free practice session, followed by qualifying
- Late morning: qualifying 1 lap time each driver with both cars A and B
- Afternoon: a 2-hour break to recharge the cars
- Evening: the race, with 2 stints and 1 pit stop
- Pit stop will involve a change of car: when the battery runs out a driver will make a planned pit stop and switch into a new fully charged car
Races are planned to be 45 minutes in length.
Point system
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | Pole | FL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
The car
For the first season, all teams have been supplied an electric racing car built by Spark Racing Technology, called the Spark-Renault SRT 01E. The chassis has been designed by Dallara, with an electric motor developed by McLaren (and is the same as that used in its P1 supercar), a battery system created by Williams F1 and a Hewland five-speed gearbox. Michelin will be the official tyre supplier.[5][6][7] So far, 42 electric cars have been ordered by the FIA.[8]
Former Formula One driver Lucas di Grassi was announced as the series test driver in September 2012.[9] He later stepped down from this role as he would have been unable to partake as a competitive driver in the first season if he were to remain as series test driver.[10] Forty-two cars were ordered in November 2012,[11] with Formula One team McLaren providing the motor, transmission and electronics that all cars will use.[12]
Seasons
2014/15
Ten host cities are planning races for the 2014 season, and Formula E originally intended to run races exclusively on street circuits. However, not all races are now set for street circuits. On April 11, 2014, a calendar with 10 host cities for the 2014/2015 season has been confirmed, which consists of Beijing, Putrajaya, Punta del Este, Buenos Aires, Long Beach, Miami, Monte Carlo, Berlin and London, with one event - to be held in the Americas, as part of the logistics deal - yet to be announced.[13]
Television coverage
Formula E will provide comprehensive live television coverage shown via major broadcasters around the globe (FOX Sports 1, ITV4, CCTV-5, Sky Deutschland, CANAL+, TV Asahi[14]).[15][16] Production will be carried out by Aurora Worldwide Media.[17]
Four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti is to join the host television commentary team for the FIA Formula E Championship.[18] Franchitti will act as co-commentator alongside lead commentator Jack Nicholls.[19] Anchoring the coverage will be presenter and pitlane reporter Nicki Shields.[20]
See also
References
- ^ a b "FIA Formula E Championship". fia.com.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeeUURaydbw&t=139
- ^ Allianz (2003-04-12). "Formula Williams F1 - All Ears". Retrieved 2013-06-26.
- ^ William Hamby (2004). "Ultimate Sound Pressure Level Decibel Table".
- ^ "Michelin confirmed as official tyre supplier for FIA Formula E Championship". Formula E Operations. FIA Formula E Championship. 28 March 2013.
- ^ "Renault signs with Spark Racing Technology and Formula E Holdings as Technical Partner in the FIA Formula E Championship" (PDF). Formula E Operations. FIA Formula E Championship. 15 May 2013.
- ^ "Williams partners with Spark Racing Technology to provide battery expertise for the FIA Formula E Championship". WilliamsF1.com. Williams F1. 11 June 2013.
- ^ "Formula E buys 42 electric racers for 2014 circuit". green.autoblog.com. 18 November 2012.
- ^ "Di Grassi revealed as Formula E test driver". Pitpass.com. 5 September 2012.
- ^ Biesbrouck, Tim (19 December 2013). "'Lucas di Grassi terminates Formula E test job to become a driver'". Retrieved 19 December 2013.
- ^ "Formula E orders 42 cars". Pitpass.com. 15 November 2012.
- ^ "McLaren to power Formula E". Pitpass.com. 12 November 2012.
- ^ http://www.fiaformulae.com/news/WMSC-confirms-teams
- ^ http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/guide/television.aspx
- ^ http://current-e.com/chatter/formula-e-goes-free-to-air-in-china/
- ^ http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2014/august/canalplus-to-televise-formula-e-live-for-three-seasons.aspx
- ^ "FIA Formula E Championship". fia.com.
- ^ http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2014/april/dario-franchitti-joins-formula-e-tv-commentary-team.aspx
- ^ http://www.jacknicholls.co.uk/
- ^ http://www.nickishields.com