History will be made this Saturday when the world’s first all-electric series, Formula E, kicks off in China.
The FIA sanctioned championship will be contested by ten teams for the inaugural 2014/2015 season. The calendar runs from 13 September 2014, this coming Saturday, to June next year; which will be good news for race fans who usually experience withdrawal symptoms through the usual motorsport season break.
During the ten race championship the series will visit such exotic locales as Beijing, Monaco, Las Vegas and Buenos Aires. Each race will take place on city-centre circuits. See below for the full calendar.
“This spectacular series will offer both entertainment and a new opportunity to share FIA’s values for clean energy, mobility and sustainability. The FIA is definitely looking to the future!” Jean Todt, president of the FIA said.
The car
While the teams may have names such as Audi Sport ABT and Mahindra Racing, each will be using four Spark-Renault SRT_01E Formula E cars, two per driver for each race. The zero emission SRT_01E was built by new French company Spark Racing Technology. Aerodynamics have been devised to allow for close racing and to promote overtaking.
The sleek-looking racer is based on a monocoque built by Italian racecar specialists Dallara. The electric powertrain and electronics are provided by McLaren Electronics Systems, while the batteries, providing 200 kW, is supplied by Williams Advanced Engineering.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a five-speed sequential Hewland transmission. Michelin is the sole tyre supplier of the treaded rubber, which will be the only tyre used across all race conditions.
Star-studded line-up
Ten teams will contest the season, each fielding two drivers. The field will include several ex-F1 pilots, such as Jarno Trulli, Nelson Piquet Jr, Sebastien Buemi, Bruno Senna and Nick Heidfeld among them, as well as other well known racers, not to forget at least two female drivers: Michela Cerruti and Katherine Legge.
Race format
To minimise costs and disruption to each city, the race event will take place over just a single Saturday. Practice, qualifying and the single race will all take place between 08:15 and 17:00 (local time).
You can watch the series global television advert by clicking here.
Here is a look back at the key moments in the formation of Formula E:
2014/15 calendar
13 Sept 2014 Beijing China
22 Nov 2014 Putrajaya Malaysia
13 Dec 2014 Punta del Este Uruguay
10 Jan 2015 Buenos Aires Argentina
14 Feb 2015 Los Angeles USA
14 Mar 2015 Miami USA
4 Apr 2015 Long Beach USA
9 May 2015 Monaco Monte Carlo
30 May 2015 Berlin Germany
27 Jun 2015 London UK
