168 replies to this topic

[paulb]

Another race we missed this weekend   
 

 

That was actually a fun race. It formula e school or something of the like.  We were speculating they were high school age.

 

The start was weird because there was one car way out in front. Came to find out later that at the start everyone stayed still except for a girl from around 8th. She shot to the front and was long gone by the time the rest of the field woke up.

[ardbeg]

One thing, among many other things that is good with FE, is the camera work. The cars are actually very slow (well, compared to almost any other open wheel racing anyway) and at full speed I think they would have problem to follow a F1 safety car, but still it looks fast! Part of it is of course the tires that makes the car move around, but a big part is the way they handle camera positioning and angles. F1 should really learn a thing or two from them because although the F1 cars are terribly fast, they do not look spectacular. Sure, cameras are not everything, the narrow street courses does a lot to bring speed to the TV screens.

[jonpollak]

Just saw the race...

Observation 1- Prost: Il est un balourd.

Observation 2- Piquet showed his strength of diversity and it paid off.

Observation 3- Speed is a bin it or win it .

 

 

Glad paulb had a good time.

 

Jp

[Risil]

Six winners from six races. And Heidfeld, Alguersuari and both Andretti drivers still drawing blanks. Cool series.

 

Quick straw poll: better than A1 GP?

[Sheepmachine]

Six winners from six races. And Heidfeld, Alguersuari and both Andretti drivers still drawing blanks. Cool series.

Quick straw poll: better than A1 GP?

I'd say yes. I certainly see it having more of a long term future than A1GP did. It has a unique format that I think works. It's like an electric indycar.

[Disgrace]

A1GP was founded on what was basically a marketing gimmick. FE really ought to last much longer.

[Ben1445]

I see a tangible future for Formula E which I just don't think was there for A1, so I'd have to say yes. 

[Imateria]

I'd certainly say it was better, but it at least took A1 a couple of years before the cash flow rumours started instead of a couple of months.

 

One thing, among many other things that is good with FE, is the camera work. The cars are actually very slow (well, compared to almost any other open wheel racing anyway) and at full speed I think they would have problem to follow a F1 safety car, but still it looks fast! Part of it is of course the tires that makes the car move around, but a big part is the way they handle camera positioning and angles. F1 should really learn a thing or two from them because although the F1 cars are terribly fast, they do not look spectacular. Sure, cameras are not everything, the narrow street courses does a lot to bring speed to the TV screens.

 

Without doubt one of the best fixed camera placings I've ever seen was in Argentina where they put the camera right over the final fast sweepers, it looked incredible on TV and though the cars were barely doing more than 100mph, they looked faster than F1. Unfortunately they didn't look anywhere near as spectacular at Long Beach, like I said before the track is just too wide and fast for such slow cars to look at their best.

[F1nomics]

That was a fun and emotional race for the winner but I understand some reservations about Piquet Jr's past. Speed did well in Miami but was very unlucky at Long Beach but at least Vergne finished the race this time round!

By the way, if any of you is on Twitter and wants to discuss the FormulaE race in that format, there is a Q&A tomorrow at 8pm BST #FEBuzz

[BRG]

I remain mystified why F.E insists on having a stupidly tight chicane or first corner so close to the start at every track.  A conspiracy theorist might conclude it was to guarantee a safety car and a bunch of laps under yellow to ensure the juice doesn't run out before the finish.....

 

And let's have the pit lane exit right at the exit from the chicane.  That'll be really safe. It seems to be a FIA track design requirement to have either a dangerously badly placed pit lane entry or exit.  I can't think of many modern tracks that don't include one or both.  Anything to gee up the action, maybe!

[Ben1445]

I remain mystified why F.E insists on having a stupidly tight chicane or first corner so close to the start at every track.  A conspiracy theorist might conclude it was to guarantee a safety car and a bunch of laps under yellow to ensure the juice doesn't run out before the finish.....

 

And let's have the pit lane exit right at the exit from the chicane.  That'll be really safe. It seems to be a FIA track design requirement to have either a dangerously badly placed pit lane entry or exit.  I can't think of many modern tracks that don't include one or both.  Anything to gee up the action, maybe!

I'd sooner sign up to the theory that it's to throw a safety car to give BMW and Qualcomm the air-time for the cameras but again, theories...  
Remember the second SC was caused by Pic at the long established hairpin...

Yeah, I'm not a fan of that particular chicane, I must say.  

 

[BRG]

What was the attendance in LB?  I saw some pretty respectable crowds, although I was puzzled why the stand overlooking the hairpin was only about half full.  At least it seems to have generated some good interest unlike the first couple of races where the spectators could have car-shared to get there

[thegamer23]

What was the attendance in LB? I saw some pretty respectable crowds, although I was puzzled why the stand overlooking the hairpin was only about half full. At least it seems to have generated some good interest unlike the first couple of races where the spectators could have car-shared to get there

I've red somewhere about 20000-25000 spectators.

[OvDrone]

Six winners from six races. And Heidfeld, Alguersuari and both Andretti drivers still drawing blanks. Cool series.

 

Quick straw poll: better than A1 GP?

 

You mean AutoGP? Then, no.

 

Joking. I love this series. My highlight was Dario's excellent commentary banter, Vergne's podium and Duval's drift'n'tap. As well as Long Beach's scenary, although it reminds me of my much hated Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

 

Cheers to PaulB for the DIY POV and to Shivy for the pics.

 

I'll just echo JHSingo's thoughts with regards to Piquet Jr., but for the sake of the topic I'll just say that he thoroughly deserved this win. Kudos.

[RacingDuck]

What was the attendance in LB? I saw some pretty respectable crowds, although I was puzzled why the stand overlooking the hairpin was only about half full. At least it seems to have generated some good interest unlike the first couple of races where the spectators could have car-shared to get there

That stand was for VIPs (I know because I wanted to sit up there)

[BRG]

That stand was for VIPs (I know because I wanted to sit up there)

And as we know, VIPs rarely take any interest in the actual race.  

[paulb]

The photostand at turn 3 was filled with fans and fans with kids. I was surprised that entry was not vetted.

 

FWIW, I'll be flagging again at the IndyCar race. Giggity.

[Risil]

Another reason for Indycar to sort out the aero kits!

[SKL]

The races are actually more interesting than I thought they'd be.   Wish Varsha did the whole commentary in the US feed.  I like Dario, but think the race commentary leaves a lot to be desired...

 

 

Thought most electric vehicles just had one speed with tons of torque, but obviously these guys are shifting...  

 

 

Figured this would be a support race for the indycar weekend, but they're leaving the barriers up until the indy car race???