Formula E Kicks Off Season Four

While much attention from the automotive press this week has been aimed at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, RPM News Weekly has focused its eyes on the Season Four start of Formula E Racing. With the city of Hong Kong for its opening backdrop, the series is expected to see 11 cities over the next eight months including its second run in New York in July 2018.

Ten teams, 20 drivers compete in the Formula E Prix driving their all-electric open-wheel formula cars along city streets at speeds up to 140 miles per hour. From a standing start, these supercars accelerate to 62 mph in under three seconds. Each race runs about 50 minutes during which drivers make one mandatory pit stop to change over to a fully charged car. Tire changes are not permitted unless a tire is punctured or damaged. The Hong Kong track covers approximately 1.15 miles.

Teams that RPM News Weekly is watching closely include Jaguar, who managed to pull in last year’s season opening pole-sitter Nelson Piquet, Jr. to team up with returning driver Mitch Evans, whom RPM News Weekly interviewed last year in New York along with former teammate Adam Carroll. Also, Virgin Racing can be expected to provide some thrilling maneuvers with drivers Sam Bird and Alex Lynn on board. Bird pulled off a double win in New York last season showing a remarkable capacity to adapt his strategy to create a winning formula. We’re keen to see Venturi garner a few podium spots this season against a competitive field that continues to ratchet up the stakes in this still new, yet fast-growing sport of racing ultra-high performance electric vehicles.

For more on Formula E Racing visit www.formulaefans.com or join the discussion at www.formulaeforum.com.