Season five of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship gets underway shortly and the organisers are heralding it as ‘the most exciting’.
There are three innovations that are new to the category:
- – An advanced new-look Gen2 car
- – A revised race format
- – An eagerly-awaited ‘ATTACK MODE’
The new Gen2 car is quicker, has more power and double the range. (Well it needed to, didn’t it?)
Again, organisers are boasting that now drivers can stay strapped in and seated for the entire length of the race, whereas before they had to pit, jumping into another car with a full battery. (Well most other motorsports have been able to compete without changing vehicles or ‘refilling’).
They still have to manage a range of power modes on offer as well as the battery life against a 45-minute (+1 lap) race countdown. (I prefer a race where they are going fast all the time. Too much motorsport is about fuel saving!)
New for this season, drivers will be able to access ATTACK MODE at any time during the race from the second lap. Drivers must pass through a defined activation zone placed off the racing line. Each driver is required to arm ATTACK MODE on the steering wheel on the approach to the activation zone and manoeuvre through three timing sensors to complete the loop and receive instant power.
So ,what does the ATTACK MODE do? It allows them to chase down their rivals or build a lead to defend position. ATTACK MODE temporarily boosts power levels from 200kW – in standard race mode – to 225kW for a short period of time.
This is what I struggle with. What other sport outside of video gaming gives players extra energy? I am a purist and for me it is about the fastest car over a course of a race whether it is six laps, six or 24 hours. Previously we have seen so called ‘innovation’ in the V8 Utes with a marble draw for grid positions and a safety car halfway through a race in order to bring the field back together. Again, all about the ‘look’ and not the racing.
Introducing an ATTACK MODE is like making it a ‘live’ video game.
A category of racing needs to stand on its own two feet. Arguably Formula E exists because of the major backing of car manufacturers who have an agenda. Take them away and the money will go and the category will struggle to be a stand alone series.
Maybe I am not their target market. Maybe it is for your urban non-motorsport 28-40 age group with money to burn. Maybe it should be seen as a sport on its own, not as a motorsport.
But while it is being pushed so much by manufacturers, sponsors, the FIA and even the media such as Autosport.com, it will be compared with every other form of motorsport, particularly single seater racing. It has not proven itself against traditional values and scrutiny. It is yet to race on circuits and amongst traditional race programs such as in support of F1, F3 or even WEC. There is its Achilles heal.
As you can tell I am not a fan but am open to changing my mind.
Yes I will continue to criticize because it has all the hallmarks of a marketing exercise. Take away the manufacturers and Formula E will struggle to stand on its on two feet.
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