122 replies to this topic

[thegamer23]

 

 

WHERE: Berlin, Tempelhof Airport
WHEN: This Saturday, May 19th
WHY: Formula E, Jaguar i-Pace & the first Gen 2 public run with Nico Rosberg. What's not to like?

FE AUTOSPORT's THREAD: http://forums.autosp...-thread/page-14

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RACING IN THE AIRPORT

 

An historic WW2 Airport, transformed into a Race-Track for the third time in Berlin. After a brief visit to the city's center in Season 2, Formula E always raced on the tarmac of the Tempelhof Airport: plenty of space, plenty of room to evolve the track Layout from season to season. 

We had a twisty, slow yet technical circuit configuration in Season 1, while in Season 3 the circuit was revamped to higher speeds & including a Shanghai-esque Turn 1, loved by the drivers. 

The current track is 2.37 km long, featuring 10 turns with different radius. A very different challenge from the usual tight, twisty & claustrophobic Formula E tracks: the Tempelhof is open, wide, allowing multiple lines & great racing!

 

The outright Lap-Record is held by Josè Maria Lopez with a blistering 1'07''670 [FP3, Race 1, 2017], while the Official Record has been set by Sam Bird in qualifying, 1'07''805. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BERLIN'S MASTER

Felix Rosenqvist is the undisputed King of the Tempelhof. The Mahindra driver put in a stunning performance last season in the Double Header event, winning both races & scoring a Pole Position in Race 2. 
Will the flying swede manage to overcome his unluck & comeback to win after a series of disappointing results?

 

 

 

 

THE TITLE BATTLE INTENSIFIES

With four races to go, the title battle seems to be restricted between Jean Eric Vergne (Techeetah) & Sam Bird (DS Virgin).

Having won three races so far (Santiago, Punta del Este, Paris), Jean Eric Vergne has been Ultra-consistent like never before in his Formula E career. The frenchman leads the field with 147 points, a 31 points advantage on Sam Bird, winner in Rome & Hong Kong. 

But with 112 points for the take in the remaining four races, everything can happen.  Vergne has never been very competitive around the Tempelhof circuit, while Sam Bird loves the Deutch venue: the englishmen has also won last year's Double Header in Hong Kong and is the natural favourite for the final two rounds of the championship.

The battle is wide open.

 

 

 

 

Full Standings: 

http://www.fiaformul.../driver/2022017

 

 

 

ROSBERG'S COMEBACK (even if it's just testing)

 

 

One of the major talking points of the Berlin e-Prix is, for sure, Nico Rosberg's comeback into a racing car. The 2016 F1 World Champion will give the Formula E "Gen 2" Car its first, public test run.
Gen 2 car is capable of reaching 280 km/h, with a 2.7 s 0/100 acceleration & batteries capable of competing a full race distance.
 

A 10 minutes long shakedown in front of thousands of deutch fans. Rosberg is currently one of the serie's investors and is rumored to be interested for an Active Role in the near future. Will this test push him to comeback to racing or he'll be the Mercedes Factory Team (season 6) manager?

Rosberg's Gen 2 run is expected at 16.10 local time! 

 

 

COULTHARD JOINS THE COMMENTARY TEAM 

 

 

 

David Coulthard will join Jack Nicholls & Bob Varsha in the commentary booth for the Berlin e-Prix! Dario Franchitti is off to Indianapolis

"I am delighted to be taking over co-commentary duties from my friend and fellow Scot Dario Franchitti whilst he is away on Indianapolis duties," said the Coulthard. After attending the 2017 Qatar Airways Paris E-Prix in Season 3, Coulthard is no stranger to all-electric street racing. "Formula E has proven to deliver exciting racing and has fantastic manufacturer support going forward which will continue to strengthen the championship and its reach."
 

 

 

UK TV SCHEDULE  [MAY 19TH]

 

 

EUROSPORT is also Showing the race Live at 17.00 UK TIME, with a Replay of Qualifying at 16.00 

FP1: 8.00  [Youtube + Facebook]
FP2: 10.30 [Youtube + Facebook]
QP: 13.00  [Spike 5 + YouTube]
ROSBERG's TEST RUN: 15.10 [Facebook + YouTube]

RACE: 17.00 

 

Uk times

[Vielleicht]

Berlin will become the longest serving FE city! How about that. Shame I couldn't make it to this years race, but never mind. I look forward to this one.

[NorwegianRudo]

Tempelhof season 3 track was one of my favourites, hopefully this is the same track, or better.

 

Coulthard is interesting. I was actually just thinking a few days ago that Dario has gotten so good that I wouldn't be surprised if NBC signs him when their new Indycar contract starts.

[Vielleicht]

I wonder if Massa will be anywhere to be seen in Berlin after today's announcement

[jonpollak]

As goes Dario so goes Jp..

[BRG]

I only hope that it doesn't feature that puerile 'tunnel' with the flashing lights and fireworks this year.  That really was a bit sad for a serious series.

 

It will be nteresting to hear DC in the commentary box, he has really developed into a consummate TV performer over the last few years and will of course be looking for a new job when Ch4 jump the F1 ship!  And Dario of course HAS to be at Indy.

[sportyskells]

And at this track we still not had either a FCY or a SC (now that I said that one might turn one)

[thegamer23]

[OneLapWonder]

I only hope that it doesn't feature that puerile 'tunnel' with the flashing lights and fireworks this year.  That really was a bit sad for a serious series.

 

It will be nteresting to hear DC in the commentary box, he has really developed into a consummate TV performer over the last few years and will of course be looking for a new job when Ch4 jump the F1 ship!  And Dario of course HAS to be at Indy.

 

I saw it watching last year's highlights. 'A bit sad' is putting it nicely. 

 

Anyway, imo the track would be a lot better if it just went straight from T1 to T4. 

[thegamer23]

The batmobile is coming for you, Berlin!   

[f1paul]

​I like this track. It's very unique with the surface and the layout provides good battles up and down the field.

 

It's meant to rain on Friday, guess what the weather is meant to be like on Saturday?

 

Yes you guessed it DRY!

[maximilian]

Dunno how lead-footed Rosberg will take the Gen2 car around, but sure will be interesting to compare lap times with the Gen1 car, right?

[Vielleicht]

Surely the social media attention of putting out a video of Rosberg (a recent F1 champion no less) in a Gen 2 and showing side by side that the Gen2 is quicker would be immense. But then maybe they're still wanting to keep their powder dry a little longer. I want them to show us what the Gen 2 can do!

 

​I like this track. It's very unique with the surface and the layout provides good battles up and down the field.

 

It's meant to rain on Friday, guess what the weather is meant to be like on Saturday?

 

Yes you guessed it DRY!

This is getting silly!

[RSRally]

Dunno how lead-footed Rosberg will take the Gen2 car around, but sure will be interesting to compare lap times with the Gen1 car, right?

It will.. I wonder whether he’ll run at 200kw (current qualifying power/next year’s race power) or 250kw (next year’s qualy power)

Whatever mode it runs in I imagine the new car will be much faster than now once it gets to the start of season five anyhow.

[Vielleicht]

Pitlane this morning a la Benoît Dupont (@Dupont_Ben), FE's Head of Sporting.

[Vielleicht]

Gen2 is in the (metaphorical) building

 

Also pit-lane entry is moved around the corner this year and is much tighter than last years apparently.

https://twitter.com/...073063903719424

Edited by Vielleicht, 17 May 2018 - 11:23.

[thegamer23]

Looks fast!!   

 

Robin Frijns is also there. Is the Silly Season about to get even more silly? 

 

Edited by thegamer23, 17 May 2018 - 13:16.

[NorwegianRudo]

Berlin has always been the place where deals are made in FE, because of it's placement on the calendar and because all the German manufacturers are there with big presences. Expect plenty of news coming out of this weekend, and we've already had the Mercedes press release and the Riyadh announcement.

[maximilian]

Signing Frijns would be one of the most un-silly things to do in silly season!     

[f1paul]

Hello German person...

 

[f1paul]

​Hello German city...

 

Edited by f1paul, 17 May 2018 - 15:54.

[Vielleicht]

I really love Berlin

[thegamer23]

It's thursday. 
So what? Obviously, Sam Smith's Notebook!    
http://e-racing365.c...rsday-notebook/
 

 

 

***2016 Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg will demonstrate the Gen 2 car in Berlin city center on Friday morning, following a route that passes near the iconic Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie areas before driving into the paddock at Tempelhof. This run will precede the already announced demonstration planned for Saturday afternoon.

 

***Paul di Resta was in the paddock at Tempelhof today visiting the Jaguar team with which he tested at the Marrakesh rookie simulation in January. E-racing365 understands that the Scot is in discussions with some teams about a potential Season Five seat.

 

 

"I'm gonna do some hotlaps"
"I want to see if i still have it as a driver"

Nico wants to push so bad 

Edited by thegamer23, 17 May 2018 - 18:39.

[Vielleicht]

Doesn't look like year on year lap-time comparisons will be possible

 

 

Tobi Bluhm‏ @TobiTweetings

Interesting point raised by @tobiw_apex earlier today: This year's #BerlinEPrix track is 98 meters longer than last year's. Run up to T6 is longer & bends earlier, turn is much tighter. Result: This year's race is one lap shorter than R2 in 2017. #FormulaE

[thegamer23]

Didn't expect that, but it looks like a very good tweak! 

Turn 6 looks like a better overtaking spot now, and Turn 7 is going to be even more interesting!
 

Edited by thegamer23, 17 May 2018 - 20:12.

[Ben1445]

Hello Nico 

[thegamer23]

Looking great. 

And #blessed 

 

edit: 
 

 

Edited by thegamer23, 18 May 2018 - 09:24.

[Ben1445]

Apparently Nico confirmed in a press conference today that he will not be looking for race seat in FE. I'm still predicting either a management role with Mercedes or perhaps even FE itself. 

 

Also Agag said he met with Nico on the night that he announced his retirement from F1 and just before, Nico's wife told him "Don't even think about it" to warn him against asking him to race in FE. 

[thegamer23]

Apparently Nico confirmed in a press conference today that he will not be looking for race seat in FE. I'm still predicting either a management role with Mercedes or perhaps even FE itself. 

 

Also Agag said he met with Nico on the night that he announced his retirement from F1 and just before, Nico's wife told him "Don't even think about it" to warn him against asking him to race in FE. 

 

Woah, Nico's wife sounds a little bit possessive.

Let's see, he still has to try the Gen 2 on track tomorrow 

 

 

edit: Apparently Rosberg was already putting in some laps earlier on. A very little video

https://twitter.com/...420824683573248

Edited by thegamer23, 18 May 2018 - 10:45.

[Vielleicht]

Context is possibly worth considering about Vivien's comments to Agag, she could easily have been acting in Nico's best interests that night. She would have known that his plan was to stop entriely and at the time that probably wasn't so clear to the outside world - she may have known (instinctively or from speaking to him) that the last thing he would have needed at that moment in time was endless offers/requests for him to drive.

 

I'm also predicting that he will, when all is said and done, end up in a management role. But I do wonder how much the track run tomorrow will tempt him...

[Ben1445]

Shakedown coverage should be in 20 mins 

[thegamer23]

[Vielleicht]

Whoever was manning the FE YouTube account and responding on the live comments said that Rosberg's run tomorrow will be live streamed too

[thegamer23]

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow's program

 

FP1: 8.00  [Youtube + Facebook]
FP2: 10.30 [Youtube + Facebook]
QP: 13.00  [Spike 5 + YouTube]
ROSBERG's TEST RUN: 15.10 [Facebook + YouTube]

RACE: 17.00 

Edited by thegamer23, 18 May 2018 - 20:45.

[PiperPa42]

3 minutes left of FP1

Vergne fastest so far with FRO in P2.

[thegamer23]

 

 

Nick is looking Quick!   

[PiperPa42]

He did a 200kW at the end, I believe he was the only one according to the commentators.

[f1paul]

[f1paul]

[thegamer23]

 

 

It's FP2 TIME!

Who's going to be in the best shape for quali? 

 

 

edit: Too late!   

Edited by thegamer23, 19 May 2018 - 09:28.

[f1paul]

Ah you got beat to the first pitstop but you still beat me at the finish line Gamer!

 

Really bad Formula E joke 

[f1paul]

They're all on 200KW laps.

[f1paul]

JEV fastest but less than 2 tenths split the top 6 cars!  

Edited by f1paul, 19 May 2018 - 10:01.

[thegamer23]

 

 

Well. that's Tight.

 

Shaping up for a stunning quali at 13.00 UK TIME! 

[PiperPa42]

Quick Nick slower in FP2 than FP1 

[thegamer23]

It's QUALI TIME!

Live on Spike 5 + YouTube (soon)

 

 

Edited by thegamer23, 19 May 2018 - 11:55.

[Vielleicht]

Group 4 should be fun

[Vielleicht]

Vergne really has been supreme so far the second half of this season

[Disgrace]

Prost dead last.

[RSRally]

Entire field spread only one second!