1287 replies to this topic

[thegamer23]

Ready for Hyderabad?

We're entering RACE WEEK!

 

New track, new challenges, a jump into the unknown!

 

The first of three new Formula E Tracks in a row, with Cape Town coming next, than Sao Paolo.
Exciting few races ahead.

 

 

 

Edited by thegamer23, 05 February 2023 - 13:47.

[thegamer23]

5 Greatest Lost Formula E tracks ranked

https://the-race.com...rmula-e-tracks/

[Ben1445]

I guess it's not an FE specific track so not really featured in that article, but I think only doing two years at Long Beach was a big loss. 

[Ben1445]

Got my head slightly in my hands at the article from our favourites The-Race:

HYDERABAD’S HUGE CHALLENGE DAYS OUT FROM FIRST FORMULA E RACE
https://the-race.com...formula-e-race/
 
Oh no!
 
"The 1.762-mile circuit is expected to be fully functional on Thursday [...]"

 

Oh ok. 

[Muppetmad]

They really would benefit from toning it down a bit. The sometimes hysterical headlines don't do them any favours.

[thegamer23]

Sam Smith this season

 

 

 

 

In case someone missed this video when it came out, this is how an onboard lap at Hyderabad looks like

(you'll have to imagine an added chicane before the first kink)
 

 

Edited by thegamer23, 06 February 2023 - 09:31.

[juicy sushi]

thegamer23, on 06 Feb 2023 - 09:29, said:

Sam Smith this season

 

Seriously, he can claim it is coming from a place of love but he is really not helping his or anyone else's cause with this one-note approach.

[juicy sushi]

thegamer23, on 05 Feb 2023 - 21:08, said:

5 Greatest Lost Formula E tracks ranked

https://the-race.com...rmula-e-tracks/

Honestly, I would really like to see the Gen3 cars on the F1 track in Montreal.  I think they'd put on a heck of a show with the number of passing zones they'd be able to really divebomb into.

[thegamer23]

Think Montreal would actually be pretty good for Gen 3, maybe with an added turn in the long backstraight.
Rest of the track is stop & go, perfect for FE needs.

[thegamer23]

Hyderabad -3

 

If there are any volunteers to make a kind of a different, Curry flavoured Race Thread for the weekend, more than welcome   

 

 

Some very cool Race posters

 

 

 

Edited by thegamer23, 07 February 2023 - 08:43.

[Ben1445]

thegamer23, on 07 Feb 2023 - 08:42, said:

Hyderabad -3

If there are any volunteers to make a kind of a different, Curry flavoured Race Thread for the weekend, more than welcome

I think I can get one out, I’ll see what I can do

[Ben1445]

So Dilbagh Gill has apparently been busy since stepping down as Mahindra team principal putting together plans for an electric junior/feeder series potentially based on the Gen2 chassis.

https://the-race.com...rmula-e-feeder/

Sounds like the idea would be a regional format, whilst ladder levels analogous to F3 and F2 could be provided by permitting different power levels from the powertrain.

Nick Heidfeld involved as development driver and championship advisor, whilst Alejandro Agag is on the advisory board.

[thegamer23]

Wow, big news!
We've been talking about a potential FE feeder serie and this could be it.

 

Creating an electrical single seater ladder would add even more prestige to Formula E istelf, giving it more legitimacy.

 

Very interesting

 

 

"Organisers stated that ‘there is already significant interest from a range of existing racing teams in joining the series’.The series will also aim to be ‘a leader in talent development, offering an affordable entry into racing for young drivers and providing an unparalleled opportunity to grow and their skills’.

 

 

 

 

Edited by thegamer23, 11 February 2023 - 08:20.

[Muppetmad]

Nice! It'd be good to see the Gen 2 cars being used again in the future, and I'm always up for more racing.

[Ben1445]

From some of the way the report is written, it sounds a bit like it may be that they plan to build new cars, but using the Gen2 chassis as a starting point? A bit like how the second A1GP car was based on the Ferrari F2004 but were produced specifically as A1GP cars.

Edited by Ben1445, 11 February 2023 - 08:28.

[HistoryFan]

do we really need this series?

[highdownforce]

HistoryFan, on 11 Feb 2023 - 12:39, said:

do we really need this series?

If this spans regional series, maybe yes.

[JvsKVB77]

It is look like a monster) 

[balage06]

HistoryFan, on 11 Feb 2023 - 12:39, said:

do we really need this series?

 

Based on that almost comical-looking mockup, I guess the target will be India and the Far East.

[LolaB0860]

"This is going to be the first championship in the world where one single race car can compete in two different championships – each team can have two different drivers in the ACE Championship and ACE Challenger series, driving the same car, but with two different power levels."

Umm...

First championship in the world? Or is this just some really bad wording

[RSRally]

I've just done the geekiest FE fan thing ever and downloaded the new album of theme songs and incidental music. It's pretty good if you like that sort of thing!

Which leads me to wonder, whatever happened to EJ, the Formula E DJ? And do they still play background music at the events? Can imagine it all adds to the experience if done in the right way.

[Risil]

I loved the Formula E DJ. I think he emerged back when we were digesting the then-shocking information that Jaime Alguersuari would rather DJ Ibiza sets than stand in a freezing garage at the Nurburgring and occasionally nod approvingly at the even younger drivers who had taken his F1 seat.

[Nigel Beresford]

I wish there was some way those who were not there could have heard the local track commentary, which was (I guess) undertaken by someone who normally commentates horse racing. Indescribably hyperbolic and surreal. But then, the same could be said for the whole event.

[AncientLurker]

Enjoyed the race, these cars are providing better racing each week then the previous Gen I feel.

 

Biggest complaint: Those glow sticks all over the cars are horrible. Were they supposed to be on when you are using power boost? I noticed they seem to go off when they are on boost. I could handle that, but having the lights on all the time is distracting and just plain ugly.

[juicy sushi]

The not quite functional LEDs are imperfect, but I can live with them.  One thing I think I need to get off my chest...

 

The Gen3 car is better looking than all of the 2023 F1 cars.  And all of the F1 cars since about 2003.  It's not perfect, but it's also not the size of an articulated bus.

[RSRally]

juicy sushi, on 13 Feb 2023 - 19:46, said:

The not quite functional LEDs are imperfect, but I can live with them. One thing I think I need to get off my chest...

The Gen3 car is better looking than all of the 2023 F1 cars. And all of the F1 cars since about 2003. It's not perfect, but it's also not the size of an articulated bus.

I now really like it from certain angles at least. The worst view is head on where it looks very bulky in width and you can see the strange arrangement above and around the roll hoop, but any kind of side view i genuinely like now.

[BRG]

juicy sushi, on 13 Feb 2023 - 19:46, said:

The not quite functional LEDs are imperfect, but I can live with them.  

How the hell is it that a series based on innovation and technical wizardry can't get some LED lights to work correctly??

[Frood]

BRG, on 14 Feb 2023 - 11:27, said:

How the hell is it that a series based on innovation and technical wizardry can't get some LED lights to work correctly??

Considering IndyCar can't get theirs to work either, I assume LEDs run on some dark magic unfathomable to racing team/car constructor engineers.

[juicy sushi]

RSRally, on 13 Feb 2023 - 21:22, said:

I now really like it from certain angles at least. The worst view is head on where it looks very bulky in width and you can see the strange arrangement above and around the roll hoop, but any kind of side view i genuinely like now.

Yeah, the blades either side of the roll hoop need to go, along with the little bit on top of the charging port.  And I would like a low nose rather than a retro late-90s high one.  But other than that, I've grown to quite like it.  And they race together really well.  The cars pass about as much as the old ones did, without the mario kart tactics certain drivers were employing.

[thegamer23]

Indian e-Prix Team Radio compilation

https://www.reddit.c...web2x&context=3

 

 

[AncientLurker]

juicy sushi, on 13 Feb 2023 - 19:46, said:

The not quite functional LEDs are imperfect, but I can live with them.  One thing I think I need to get off my chest...

 

The Gen3 car is better looking than all of the 2023 F1 cars.  And all of the F1 cars since about 2003.  It's not perfect, but it's also not the size of an articulated bus.

I really liked these even with the terrible preview livery, and they have just grown on me more and more. I agree with the general suggestions for improvement of lower nose, smaller vertical fins, but overall, they look great. It doesn't matter how sleek an F1 looks if it has a footprint larger than an SUV it is not a proper racing car.

[BRG]

Frood, on 14 Feb 2023 - 15:15, said:

Considering IndyCar can't get theirs to work either, I assume LEDs run on some dark magic unfathomable to racing team/car constructor engineers.

Superformula in Japan manage to get theirs to work fine, and in quite a complex way with different colours and flashing rates.  Maybe the Japanese are just better at this techie stuff?

[Frood]

BRG, on 14 Feb 2023 - 16:22, said:

Superformula in Japan manage to get theirs to work fine, and in quite a complex way with different colours and flashing rates. Maybe the Japanese are just better at this techie stuff?

Maybe the LEDs are NTSC-J, so they don't work properly in the US or PAL regions.

[juicy sushi]

I think Super Formula guys and girls had a few years to work the bugs out, rather than a 4-month thrash to make sure the cars actually stop when you hit the brake pedal and go when you hit the pedal on the right.  I doubt getting the LEDs to work on time was anywhere on the checklist given the time frames the teams have had with the Gen3 cars.  

[RSRally]

thegamer23, on 14 Feb 2023 - 16:06, said:

Indian e-Prix Team Radio compilation
https://www.reddit.c...web2x&context=3

A tale of two Kiwis.. Mitch sadly doesn't come across well there. Almost makes me glad Bird nerfed him off. Althought TBF was stupid taking attack at that point.

Cassidy on the other hand calm, polite and respectful towards his team.

[RSRally]

Drivers Room from Hyderabad: https://fiaformulae....laylistId=16722

Thought drivers room would be awkward when it launched but it’s been a pretty good initiative.

[thegamer23]

RSRally, on 14 Feb 2023 - 20:45, said:

A tale of two Kiwis.. Mitch sadly doesn't come across well there. Almost makes me glad Bird nerfed him off. Althought TBF was stupid taking attack at that point.

Cassidy on the other hand calm, polite and respectful towards his team.

Being a FE race engineer looks like it's one of the most stressful jobs ever!

Mitch Evans was pissed all race long basically, not looking like a great atmosphere in Jaguar, even before the crash! 

 

Think this may be the last season of Evans in the team. 

[juicy sushi]

The Diriyah radio from Mitch wasn't any better, from the snippets we heard.  Then again, we don't know how everyone else sounds for the full race, so maybe I need to try not to judge based on only this.

[thegamer23]

Well, Jaguar kinda costed him two championships already.

Berlin season 7, with the car not starting in the final race while on title favourite position.

Season 8, car shutting down in London's e-prix, losing ground to Vandoorne in the standings before Season finale.

[juicy sushi]

thegamer23, on 15 Feb 2023 - 14:15, said:

Well, Jaguar kinda costed him two championships already.

Berlin season 7, with the car not starting in the final race while on title favourite position.

Season 8, car shutting down in London's e-prix, losing ground to Vandoorne in the standings before Season finale.

They did, but his levels of paranoia on the radio that we get to hear does not really seem like it's going to help him get a more reliable car or motivate the team to strategize better during a race.  Going full bride-zilla doesn't lead to a better wedding, and going full cockpit diva doesn't lead to better race results.  

[thegamer23]

I'd agree on that, toxic attitude never leads to good stuff, even though you can kind of understand Evans frustation.

 

Meanwhile.

 

 

The Race Formula E Podcast | with Jack Nicholls & Sam Smith

Discussing all things Hyderabad, 1 hour of great stuff!

https://t.co/Q9b9kS3OgZ

 

 

Edited by thegamer23, 15 February 2023 - 16:12.

[juicy sushi]

The stuff about Buemi was unforunately cut short.  I really would like to know more about exactly what went wrong there.  The Porsche incident is interesting in that it might be related to the malfunctioning LEDs.

[thegamer23]

Robin Frijns back in the simulator!

Will he make a surprise comeback already in Cape Town, next week?

Edited by thegamer23, 15 February 2023 - 18:24.

[thegamer23]

"Kind of" Formula E movie incoming?

 

https://variety.com/...eck-1235523531/

 

Plot sounds.....interesting 

Edited by thegamer23, 16 February 2023 - 09:50.

[Ben1445]

thegamer23, on 16 Feb 2023 - 09:43, said:

"Kind of" Formula E movie incoming?

 

https://variety.com/...eck-1235523531/

 

Plot sounds.....interesting 

Formula E having it's own 'Driven' would be an interesting development. 

 

Quite impressive that it seems to be that filmmakers rarely seem to be able to blend (non-biopic) cinema and motorsport successfully ... unless you're John Frankenheimer. 

 

Neutral development for me - if it gets made I'd go see it with low expectations and hope to be pleasantly surprised.

[MattK9]

Very low expectations given the plot device is "need money to compete in Formula E". In reality, FE doesnt have pay drivers in quite the same way that F1/Indycar does. 

[Peat]

What would be the lazy 'go faster' trope in a FE film given they don't have gears?

[Risil]

Peat, on 16 Feb 2023 - 15:53, said:

What would be the lazy 'go faster' trope in a FE film given they don't have gears?

 

Attack Mode every lap! Turn up the battery!

[Ben1445]

HistoryFan, on 11 Feb 2023 - 12:39, said:

do we really need this [electric junior] series?

This poses a really interesting question, thinking objectively about it. I think the starting point is perhaps another question: who counts as 'we' in this scenario and what are our aims and interests? 

 

From FE's standpoint, I think having a support championship which can pad out the schedule clearly adds something to the value of a race weekend. Audiences get more on-track action included in the ticket price and the event feels larger and more impressive by having it's own racing ecosystem. 

 

FE has always gone to relatively great lengths to try and distance themselves from playing any sort of support role in motorsport (A role that MotoE plays for MotoGP and FE arguably did play when it briefly raced at Long Beach). It's always sought to be a headline event and prestige destination championship in its own right, and an event of that nature is usually associated with having one or more support series.

 

Clearly any support championship for FE would need to be EV powered, and following support billing models from other series you would naturally think that a one-make customer or a junior ladder series would make sense. It would also be reasonably logical to align an EV support event with FE in some way since it's the de-facto top rung of EV racing, though doing so fully poses a difficulty in that it is expensive to compete in a global championship. That's ultimately what seemed to kill the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy, with high costs which Jaguar (for whatever their reasons) weren't able to reduce and/or wasn't willing to subsidise enough to make it attractive to compete in. So you maybe need something a bit more regional, and a bit more flexible in where it races and who it races with. 

 

From a wider motorsport standpoint, the customer racing and junior ladder series market is already very, very saturated as it is just with ICE powered offerings. A new competitor championship launching into that world would typically struggle to persuade a large share of the existing pool of teams, drivers and sponsors unless it offers very clear advantages. If you can offer such advantages, you would then be removing competitors and funding from those other series. On the flip side, you may struggle to find any yourself and fail to get off the ground. As a middle ground, you may simply dilute the pool so much that all the series are worse off for it (like when sports-car prototypes scene was very fragmented). So one way or another, in this sort of scenario, someone has to lose out. 

 

The other route to success is to build a new and different offering which expands on the existing pool of teams, drivers and sponsors with new entrants. That's essentially what FE did with the combined proposition of EV powertrains and city events, which has been (just about) a strong enough foundation to eventually get us all here discussing Season 9 and not go the way of something like A1GP. 

 

Personally, I think it's perhaps a bit of a long term risk for motorsport not to have a stable ecosystem of viable EV support, junior and club racing categories, since it's hard to predict how macroscopic influences will evolve in coming decades. That doesn't mean EV racing has to replace all ICE throughout the motorsport ecosystem, but it does mean it should probably be ready for whatever transpires by giving equal thought and attention to maximise the potential of both technology offerings. 

 

From my perspective, I don't think the powers-that-be in motorsport (be it the FIA or otherwise) are putting an awful lot of work into pro-actively moulding and shaping where EVs are going to fit in the future motorsport ecosystem. I've said before that it would be best to work out where the synergies and unique opportunities lie for both ICE and EV racing and structure the sport in this way such that it isn't eating itself alive by having a fight over EVs vs ICEs. 

 

TL;DR - Basically talked myself into thinking that, yes, there is arguably a need for a series like this... but there needs to be careful thought about how it all fits into the wider motorsport ecosystem. 

Edited by Ben1445, 16 February 2023 - 17:02.

[AncientLurker]

HistoryFan, on 11 Feb 2023 - 12:39, said:

do we really need this series?

In ten to twenty years we may be asking the same question about the ICE-powered motor sport ladder.