FIA Formula E Championship

[Glaucus]

Yep, but as the series is going to be ~30 min support race, no need to swap batteries.

Also with induction charging, there's extreme fast charge batteries under devlopment, we will have to wait and see if they make it to production.

But that's why we need such E sport. To realy drive forward and test these technologies.

 

[Glaucus]

Interesting that the first serious entrant isn't a single seater and is instead an evolution of an endurance racer though.

It's about the third and the others are single seater open cockpit.
FIA as far as I'm aware still haven't set rules, so I would take their entry with a pinch of salt.

Would be nice if it was a bit of a free for all though. With teams converging on similar deign after a few years.


Also think its safe to say Toyota will of put an entry in
http://doctorvee.co.uk/tag/formula-e/

Yesterday Toyota pulverised the electric car lap record around the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife with its TMG EV P001 driven by Jochen Krumbac
Peugeot’s old record of 9:01.338 is in the bin. The new benchmark is 7:47.794. To put it in perspective, the official lap record for any car round the Nordschleife is 6:11.13.
It is not difficult to guess what Toyota’s goal might be with this project. As their press release says:

"Such performance shows TMG’s electric powertrain is ideal to power any future single-make electric motorsport series…"

 

[Glaucus]

I thought April as well but

Interested candidates are invited to register a formal expression of interest with the FIA Secretariat before 5 pm CET on Friday 14 October 2011 as set out below.

Stage 2:
The FIA will contact every entity that has sent a formal request of interest within the deadline stated in Stage 1, and a discussion phase will start with the candidates which will last until mid‐November 2011

The FIA will not be required to give reasons for the acceptance or refusal of any particular proposal.
The selected candidate shall be informed of his selection no later than 15 December 2011...

Stage 3:
The selection by the FIA of a candidate shall initiate a one month period of exclusive negotiation between the FIA and the selected candidate with a view to concluding a promoter contract.
For the avoidance of doubt, the selection by the FIA of a candidate does not impose any obligations on the FIA, or entitle the selected candidate to any promoter contract.

So guess we're in stage 3! But then the other FIA document says

This Call for Expressions of Interest will be issued to identify and shortlist (at the latest in April 2012) those manufacturers that are in a position to commit to take part in the 2013 FIA Formula E Championship, either directly or/and via teams. Each manufacturer would be requested to produce a minimum number of cars so as to guarantee a minimum field, and a “balance of performance” system would be put in place in order to guarantee the sporting interest of the Championship.

Perhaps they had so much interest they didn't need to wait till April. I wish companies would say if they applied.

Kleenspeed also sound interested in helping FIA and said they may field their own team.

 

[Glaucus]

Well looks like its going ahead.
Demo runs in 2013, races in 2014.
Won't be same tracks as f1 but instead inner city street circuits.

Any team not wanting to build their own car will be able to use Formulec EF 01
http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/fiasport/2012/Pages/fia-formula-e.aspx
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/di-grassi-involved-in-fia-s-formula-e-plans/
http://www.racedepartment.com/2012/08/new-fia-formula-e-championship-powered-by-electric-energy/


I hope they don't all just buy the fouled car and I hope theres a proper technology race with competing teams.

 

[Glaucus]

Hmm, allowing everyone to just use a stock car sort of defeats the point?
.

Yep, but I'm hoping it'll be for a few back of the grid teams to make up the numbers. A bit like marussia and the others.

 

[Glaucus]

I expect it's a band aid to get the series going and there will be a go fair amount of change in the first few series.

Formulec is one of the only cars ready and kowen so it's a bit hard saying make customer teams.

Just have to wait and see how it unfolds.

Oh god, that london track would be awesome.

 

[Glaucus]

Won't happen in your life time?

Sales are increasing and eu wants 80% on the road cars to be electric by 2050.
Couple that with the laws on reducing co2 emissions every few years and the ever increasing fuel costs and it will happen in our lifetimes.

But this sint really the thread for this.

As for the rest of it nothing but uniformed trolling comments.

Perhaps you should read some links, or watch someyoutube clips. They aren't sexy noise, but they are noisy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19402383

Yet the idea of electric motorsport has plenty of critics. They claim that electric cars lack something which motorsport fans yearn for - noise, and plenty of it.

But according to Lord Drayson, they're missing the point.

"What we're trying to do is create a new racing experience. It will be a different type of car, racing through the city streets, before new audiences, in places where we haven't raced before."

He believes that while older fans may lament the lack of a howling exhaust note, young people simply won't notice.

Chris Aylett, the chief executive of the Motorsport Industry Association agrees.

"It will be a very trendy, very modern, futuristic form of racing", he says.

"We're not talking about appealing to the grey market with these cars. We're looking at the 15 year old today who will be tomorrow's car buyer".

This isn't the first time that motorsport has attempted to embrace environmentally-friendly technologies.

 

[Glaucus]

Looking forward to this, I just hope the rules don't restrict the power train.
if teams can get hold of a prototype battery straight of the research lab, they should able to chuck it straight in.

If they lock the rules down like f1, there's no point.

 

[Glaucus]

Rome signs up for 2014 race

http://www.formulaeholdings.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ROME-PRESS-RELEASE-ENG-LOW-RES.pdf

Jean Todt, FIA President, said: "It gives me great pleasure to be in Rome for this exciting announcement that the eternal city has expressed its firm interest to host a race in the Formula E 2014 championship calendar. The contrast between this innovative motorsport series and the rich ancient history of Rome is one I am sure the public and the media will be intrigued and enriched by."

Looks like it will go ahead anyway.
http://www.pitpass.com/47892-Formula-E-orders-42-cars
Formula E Holdings has purchased 42 electric cars from spark racing technology and McLaren to supply electric drive train. However it's still an open forumla and teams are welcome to build there own cars. Specifications still haven't been finalized.

Barcelona is also a contender for 1 of the 10 races in the series. All will be inner city.

Rio has also signed up and confirmed as one of the races
http://www.formulaeholdings.com/downloads/press_release_rio.pdf

Hmm Might be time for new thread.

 

[Glaucus]

Drayson has signed upto race, the first team. They will use the standard car in 2014. But will develop their own car for 2015 season.

http://en.espnf1.com/fia/motorsport/story/98451.html

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/#/55682/formula-e-electric-racing-series-coming-in-2014-video

The FIA-sanctioned Formula E Championship will include races in Rio de Janeiro and Rome, while rounds in Berlin, Mumbai, and Shanghai are being negotiated.

Trailer

 

[Glaucus]

A good albeit long article about it

http://m.theengineer.co.uk/1015483.article?mobilesite=enabled

Some of it is way cool. You'll be able to race on a computer against these cars. Using the gps data for the simulator. I so hope that actually comes true.

 

[Glaucus]

Second team has joined up.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105730

China Racing has become the second team to commit to the new all-electric Formula E series that the FIA is launching for 2014.

The operation is run by Yu Liu, who was also behind the Chinese national programmes in A1GP, Superleague Formula and the GT1 World Championship, and has promoted various motorsport events in China.

Liu believes Formula E will be an ideal motorsport programme for China to be identified with. His team intends to construct its own chassis in China within three years.

"Our presence in the championship will encourage millions of Chinese fans to follow the series," said Liu.

"Our experience in racing event management will contribute to a successful Formula E city race in China showcasing electric formula cars with a futuristic sound and zero-emissions.

"We also believe this is a good platform for Chinese and global EV companies to do our part to help create a sustainable planet."

Click here to read why Formula E could be motorsport's unlikely saviour

Formula E chief Alejandro Agag thinks China Racing's involvement can play a major environmental role in its home nation.

"China has enormous potential for the expansion of electric vehicles as a tool to fight pollution in cities," he said.

"We think the FIA Formula E Championship can be a powerful tool to make electric cars popular with the Chinese public, particularly the younger generations.

"Having a Chinese team with us in the Championship will be key to succeeding in that challenge."

I hope this was a rushed job and won't be their final livery

Also prize funds for first year announced

The world champion will earn two million euros ($2.61 million) and the constructors champion four million euros at the end of the first season.

And I really should get round to starting a new thread now we have confirmed races, teams and details.

To join spark & mclaren, Dallara is going to build the chassis for the first year optional cars (that I suspect everyone will use for 2014)
http://www.autocarindia.com/News/334767,new-formula-e-series-to-use-electric-f1-cars.aspx

Feb 27, 2013
Spark Racing Technology has announced a step up of its involvement in the future technology of FIA Formula E cars for the World Championship.

The company has joined forces with Italian giant Dallara to design a new monocoque chassis for an upcoming electric F1 racing car, expected to debut in 2014. This new E series of Formula racers will be solely powered by electric motors.

Frédéric Vasseur, President of Spark Racing Technology and boss of the ART Grand Prix outfit, said, “Dallara has accompanied me throughout my professional life and it is with great pleasure that Spark Racing Technology will join him and benefit from his expertise and know-how, something that will be essential for this new exciting adventure”.

Gian Paolo Dallara, the president of Dallara added, “We have been cooperating with Frédéric Vasseur for more than 20 years and with his passion and competence he brought our cars to victory in many prestigious championships."

The motorsport design and engineering company, Dallara, is well known for its extensive history in this sector of the market since its establishment by Gian Paolo Dallara over 40 years ago.

"We are confident that the combined expertise of Dallara and Spark Racing Technology will be key to achieving the demanding targets in this brand new field of motorsport.”

 

[Glaucus]

That it is, but I think the Chinese statement is spot on to why we will see a full grid.

 

[Glaucus]

Preliminary 2014 Formula E calendar presented to FIA

London, Rome, Los Angeles, Miami, Beijing, Putrajaya, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.

FEH intends to organise up to 10 races in 2014, the inaugural year of the Championship. A further 2 slots will be kept free, to include 2 additional cities among those that have expressed interest.

The promoter has started working with the 8 cities included in the calendar, to discuss all the specific elements involved in hosting a street race. The objective is to finalise formal agreements with the cities on or before July 1st 2013.

The final calendar will be presented to FIA for its approval at the September 2013 World Motor Sport Council.

"We are thankful to all the cities that have expressed their willingness to host our races," said Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings. "The fact that cities from all over the world are interested in the FIA Formula E Championship is extremely heartening and shows a global commitment to clean mobility and sustainability. The provisional calendar we publish today is composed of cities in America, Europe and Asia. We look forward to also racing in Africa and Australasia from 2015 onwards.

"At the moment we are working with the 8 selected cities on the feasibility and design of the street circuits. They will all be in city centres, easily accessible by public transport, and will feature some of the most beautiful and well-known landmarks as a spectacular backdrop for the races. The fact that we will only race in city centres highlights the main message of our Championship: the electric car as a solution for mobility in cities of the future.

http://www.pitpass.com/48504-Preliminary-2014-Formula-E-calendar-presented-to-FIA


Would be great to get a London race, FEH seems to want London and Borris wants to host it, so hopefully they'll sign something soon, like Rio and Rome.

 

[Glaucus]

They've signed deals with two cities Rome and reo.
They are ironing out the contracts with 6 other cities. See post a few up.

Is it September they have a big singing off meeting about many aspects. Including final Callander.

And two signed teams.

 

[Glaucus]

LA becomes the third city to sign up.

http://www.formulaeholdings.com/wp-...ic-Car-Racing-to-Los-Angeles-on-Earth-Day.pdf

“We are very thankful to the Mayor and the authorities for the enthusiastic welcome they have given our Championship and are honoured to have Los Angeles on board to host Formula E and share our passion for promoting sustainable motoring,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings. “Los Angeles’ iconic landmarks provide a perfect backdrop to bring to life the excitement of Formula E racing, while at the same time, inspiring people to believe in the electric vehicle for their own personal use. The LA race is also going to have a real positive impact on the City by creating many new job opportunities together with considerable amounts in visitor spending and of course a great sense of community pride.”

 

[Glaucus]

Pretty much, easier and closer for fans, the only big formula to do this, it's just a way of helping its image and popularity in the early days.

 

[Glaucus]

Swappable batteries perhaps? If designed well, potentially quicker than a refuel.

That would be my guess, could be done in mere seconds.

 

[Glaucus]

F1-e is 300kilos battery and should last 15-20mins at racing speed.
So 1/2 ton should be about 25-33 mins, which means a shed load of pit stops.

You can charge batteries extremely quickly, it just shortens their life span, might not be an issue for a race car, which don't want them to last several thousand cycles.

But we do need new bat tech, plenty in development and plenty of those have proven protoypes, but not every prototype is mass producible. Looking at 2017-2020 before we see any of those in road cars though.

 

[Glaucus]

Forgot to divide by half, was working it out per ton.

There's plenty of companies looking at induction charging. But even if e battery could accept the energy in say 30seconds. You would need to store several MWs in a capacitor system to power.