On Saturday, June 4, 2022, I had the utmost privilege of attending the Jakarta ePrix at the Jakarta International ePrix Circuit in Ancol Beach, North Jakarta as part of the FIA Formula E World Championship Round 9 of 16 races. As a fan of motorsport, I can say that the atmosphere was electric (no pun intended). The Indonesians are always passionate about motorsport in general, and with two motorsport events under the belt in recent years (the other being the MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika Circuit in Lombok), who knows what the future holds. But for now, we can all be proud of our achievements after a rough two years caused by the pandemic.
But most of you watching the race might be a first timer when it comes to the Formula E racing series. By looking at the name, you can all tell that this series utilizes single-seater cars powered by a battery pack and an electric motor. In short, this is the first motorsport series that uses all-electric power cars. Quick history lesson, this series was conceived in 2011. Oddly enough, the idea was pitched through a dinner at a small Italian restaurant in Paris by the president of the Fédération Internationale d'Automobile (FIA) Jean Todt and presented to politicians Alejandro Agag and Antonio Tanjani and Italian actor Teo Teocoli. Later on, in 2012, Brazilian driver Lucas di Grassi joined as the first ever Formula E driver, at the time running show cars and prototypes of what would become the modern Formula E car.
After years of developing the car, named Spark-Renault SRT01e, the first ever race, and first ever season of Formula E kicked off at Beijing Olympic Park in 2014, won by di Grassi after a scary last lap wreck between Renault eDams' Nicolas Prost (son of racing legend Alain Prost) and Venturi's Nick Heidfeld. The car at the time, used until the 2017-2018 season has a top speed of 225 kph (140 mph), and has maximum power available up to 230 kW (308 HP), with 200 kW (286 HP) usable in race mode. The downside of this car was its limited energy capacity, being only 28 kWh. To counteract this, the regulations stated at the time that teams must provide 4 cars, two to each driver. During the mid-stage of the race, drivers must enter pit road to switch to their fully charged second car. This created its own dramatic element, as some teams often miscalculates their pit stop timing, resulting in wrecks. Starting from the 2018-2019 season, a new car, the Spark SRT05E, or the "Gen 2" is used up to the conclusion of this running season. The new car has new battery pack which in turn, bigger energy capacity that its predecessor (54 kWh), effectively scrapping the need for a mid-race car swap, as these cars can now run full distance of the race. With bigger battery means bigger power, with maximum usable power of 250 kW (335 HP), with the same race power mode, but with an added twist named ATTACK MODE, which increases the power output to 225 kW (301 HP) and the top speed of 280 kph (174 mph). The ATTACK MODE is a fairly new strategic element unique to Formula E, which saw drivers driving off the racing line to a specific activation zone comprised of 3 sensors. Once the three sensors have been activated, the halo would turn blue signaling the extra power. Starting this year, the Generation 3 cars will be used for the next season. This new car is expected to be more powerful and a lot faster, with maximum power up to 350 kW (470 HP) and top speed of around 320 kph (200 mph). The new regulations are also expected to include flash-charging pitstops up to 600-800 kW, which could mean doubling the race distance. The cars are also expected to have massive regenerating capabilities with front and rear powertrains, the front end for the regen, and the rear for driveshaft.
What makes this championship unique in its own right is the race weekend format. Unlike any other racing series that runs through 3 days during the weekend, Formula E events only lasts typically 1 or 2 days if the race in question is a double-header. The events are held in mostly city centers, rather than a purpose-built racing facility, with the exception of Mexico City, Berlin, and Jakarta, with the former and the latter are held in a racing facility of some sort, while the Berlin race is held on an old decommissioned Tempelhof airport. The day starts with two 30-minute practice sessions. Then the qualifying session is held during midday, where 22 current drivers are split into two groups determined by their championship standings, odd numbers in group A, even numbers in group B. Fastest four drivers from each group are put into an elimination-style duels to determine the pole sitter. The race is held in the afternoon, lasts for 45 minutes plus 1 white flag lap. The scoring uses the FIA standard scoring for top 10 drivers (25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1), with the driver who secured pole position secured an additional 3 points and for the fastest lap of the race bagged an extra point to their tally. For the team’s championship, the total points of both drivers are counted. During the race itself, aside from the aforementioned ATTACK MODE, there is something called the Fanboost. The feature in question allows the fans to vote for their favorite driver to receive an extra burst of power for 5 seconds on their cars, only usable during the second half of the race (in the older days, the fanboost applied in their second cars once the swap has been done). Each race, 5 drivers receive the feature based on the votes. The voting period opens 3 days before the event and closes 15 minutes into the race.
You might think that Formula E is only about the racing itself, but it goes way more than that. Since its inception, this series has advocated for climate crisis caused by the usage of fossil fuels and aims for electrification for the next 10 years. This FIA sanctioned world championship series is the first ever to be net zero carbon across 6 seasons, and the first to hold a certification for sustainable events (ISO 20121). The series also investing in internationally specified projects to offset carbon emissions. The events are powered through renewable and sustainable energy generators. Hell, the car itself, when the season has concluded and the Gen 3 car is finally rolled out, will be recycled for parts used for the new cars. The tires themselves are made of natural rubber compound and recycled fibers suited for all weather conditions, and also recycled after each event. This initiative, along with the racing spectacle is heralded as an effort to build upon a more sustainable world with advanced technology for mankind, and I am sincerely hoping that Formula E stays on this track, while also keep on bringing the motorsport festivals to cities across the globe.
In short, The FIA Formula E World Championship was conceived as part of a dinner between the FIA and few public and political figures, as well as many parties across the motorsport spectrum. The series was first launched in 2014, and currently on its 8th season, with the next season expected later this year with new, faster and more energy efficient cars. Aside from racing, Formula E is also an advocate for sustainability, climate crisis and electrification. Now that the 2022 Jakarta ePrix is in the books, I just want to say thank you to all parties involved in this event, and to other motorsport fans, see you again in 2023.
No comments:
Post a Comment