Formula E

In 2012, the idea was to create a new class of car racing on electric vehicles, with the task to start holding an international championship in 2014, and preliminary, in the second half of 2013, to hold several demonstration races.

At the 65th Frankfurt Motor Show on September 10, 2013, the first prototype of the car Spark-Renault SRT 01E was presented, which served as the start of the project and will be used in the first season of the championship ^[1] .

The Formula E Championship started in September 2014 and it was originally planned that during the first season all teams will use the same machines, which are built by a consortium of companies Dallara , Renault , , McLaren and Williams .

The roles of companies in the consortium

Spark Racing Technology develops and manufactures machines. (According to unconfirmed data, one more participant in the development and production of cars, approved by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Bluebird Speed ​​Records) appeared

The McLaren team has become the official supplier of electric motors, transmissions, standard electronic control units (ECU) and the entire electronic filling. (The British company began developing an electric motor four years ago. As a result, McLaren managed to create a power plant with a capacity of more than 250 hp., Which has a torque of 140 N • m and a weight of only 25 kilograms)

The Williams team designs and assembles the batteries that will be used in the FIA ​​Formula E Championship, launched in 2014. A prerequisite is the mass of the battery pack - it should not exceed 300 kilograms.

Dallara company is involved in the creation of the chassis of the future machine.

Renault conducts technological expertise of Formula E cars produced by Spark Racing Technology, aimed at optimizing electrical and electronic structures, power plants and transmission, as well as "to ensure the safety and reliability of machines."

For the season, 42 such cars were built, as each pilot uses two for the race.

Other companies that have signed an agreement with Formula E

• TAG Heuer has become the official timekeeper of the championship.
• The American company Qualcomm Incorporated on the development and research of wireless communications has become the official technology partner of the series. As part of the agreement, the company advises representatives of Formula E on new and more advanced wireless technologies. So, in 2014, the Qualcomm Halo ™ Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) wireless charging technology has been adapted for use on Formula E safety cars. From the second season, it will also be available for racing cars of the series. Qualcomm Halo WEVC technology is based on resonant magnetic induction, which allows you to transfer energy between a special unit located on the ground and a charging unit on an electric vehicle. The pilot simply stops the car above the unit, and charging starts automatically. In the future, as the organizers of the series hope, the development of this technology will lead to the use of dynamic recharging in Formula E, due to which the batteries of the cars will be charged during the race.
• Tire company Michelin has become the official supplier of the international championship.

About the series itself

Former Formula 1 racer Lukas di Grassi was appointed as the official test driver for the championship in September 2012.

Participation in the new series is quite attractive for the teams due to the environmental friendliness of machines and significantly lower costs compared to Formula 1. So, if in F-1 the content of a team costs an average of 115 million pounds, then in Formula E it is only 3 million. The maximum speed of the car will reach 225 km / h (limited by FIA), which is much slower than the F-1, but not so much so that the two series can not be compared.

To limit costs during the race, only eight people are allowed in the pits of each team, but this number does not include riders and specialists serving the power units. Among them will be two racing engineers, one telemetry engineer, four mechanics and one team leader.

In Formula E, a fairly large prize pool: at each stage will be played 500 thousand euros .

In the first four seasons, because of the limited power reserve and the impossibility of instantly charging the batteries of electric cars during the race, the racers used two cars - A and B. About half an hour after the start, the pilot left the car A, transferred to the second car and drove on it. Starting with the fifth season (2018/2019), a new generation car (Gen2) will appear, allowing you to drive the race distance without a transplant ^{[2] [3]} . However, the race will be shorter: in the first four seasons, they lasted from 48 minutes to an hour, from the fifth season 45 minutes ^[4] .

Formula E will strive to become a series for the top pilots who will come from GP2 (from 2017 called Formula 2 ), IndyCar , Formula 1. These are young drivers with experience who are in the middle of their careers, and drivers who leave Formula 1 and cannot return to GP2 / Formula 2 ^[5] . Among the Formula E drivers, who previously played in Formula 1 but Lucas di Grassi, even Heikki Kovalainen , Sebastien Buemi , Jaime Alguersuari , Nelson Piquet Jr. , Jerome D'Ambrosio , Jean-Eric Vergne , Nick Heidfeld , Kamui Kobayashi , Esteban Gutierrez , Jacques Villeneuve , Jarno Trulli , Vitantonio Liuzzi , Bruno Senna , Karun Chandhok , Charles Peak , Scott Speed , Justin Wilson , Takuma Sato , Stoffel Vandorn , Felipe Massa and Pascal Verlein . Pierre Gusli in July 2017 managed to hold 2 races in Formula E, after which in the fall of 2017 he became a combat pilot of the Formula One team Toro Rosso . Andre Lotterer participated in one Formula One race, but his main achievements are connected with sport prototypes races (2012 World Endurance Racing World Champion , where he continues to compete; winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2011 , 2012 and 2014 ).

• 11 teams will take part, 22 riders
• The team will be 2 riders

According to the assurances of the official test pilot Lucas di Grassi, the car is quite loud. It makes not such sounds as an internal combustion engine, the sound of an electric motor is low, something similar to the noise of a flying plane. In the cockpit at high speed, the pilot hears mostly aerodynamic noise and the sound of tires.

Engine power is 220 kW, but the torque is very high ^[6] . According to Lucas, the car is fun to drive, but not so easy. According to the regulations, the battery must ensure its operation for 25 minutes. Therefore, pilots need to use a tactical approach to the race. 220 kW is equivalent to 300 horsepower , but the engine power can be raised to 500 liters. with., but at the same time the distance will be reduced by half.

General construction

Aerodynamics that can ride in an aerodynamic shade , to facilitate overtaking.

High ground clearance and a wide range of suspension settings, allowing you to drive through the main streets of the city.

Cost effectiveness.

Compliance with FIA safety regulations.

Technology

Using the latest technology, pushing the boundaries of the future.

The trade-off between performance and cost-effectiveness to the extent possible.

Extensive use of composite materials, but limited to the use of the most expensive carbon fibers.

Dimensions

Overall length: 5000 mm (maximum)

Width: 1800 mm (maximum)

Height: 1250 mm (maximum)

Track width: 1300 mm (minimum)

Ground clearance: 75 mm (maximum.)

Total weight (including driver): 800 kg (minimum) // Batteries alone 200 kg.

Power

Maximum power (limited): 200 kW (270 hp.)

Race in power saving mode: 133 kW (180 hp.)

Push-to-pass: 67 kW (90 hp. Ps.) - (Push-to-pass ( push to overtake )) - a button on the steering wheel, which gives the rider the possibility of increasing the power of the car in a short period of time The system is designed to make overtaking easier).

Maximum power is available during practice and qualifications. During the races, the power saving mode is activated using the “Push-To-Pass” system, which allows using the maximum power for a limited time.

The amount of energy that can be delivered by the motor-generator unit to the battery energy storage system is limited to 30 kW. This will be continuously monitored by the FIA.

Performance

Acceleration: 0 - 100 km / h (0-62 mph) in 3 seconds - Estimated

Maximum speed: 225 km / h (FIA limited) - Estimated

The noise level in decibels at high speed will be approximately 80 dB (conventional car: 70 dB; bus: 90 dB; Formula 1 - 130 dB)

Engine

Block motor generator from McLaren

Maximum two motor-generator blocks allowed

The motor-generator unit can only be connected to the rear axle.

Traction control prohibited.

Traction battery

The traction battery is a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and supplies electrical energy through a power circuit to the traction motor. Any on-board battery connected to the power circuit is considered an integral part of the vehicle battery.

Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS)

The energy storage battery system (RESS) is a system that is designed to drive a car with an electric motor. It should fall under the following matches:

- FIA Standard

- The maximum weight of the battery and / or capacitor (RESS) must not exceed 200 kg

- All Galvanic cells must be certified to UN Transportation Standards as a minimum requirement

Chassis

Chassis / Monocoque - structure made of carbon-aluminum honeycomb made by Dallara

Front and rear fenders - carbon structure and Aero simulated Dallara

Body - structure - carbon Kevlar structure made by Dallara

Transmission

Sequential five-speed sequential gearshift

Fixed gear ratios to reduce costs

Brakes

Two standard hydraulic systems operated by one pedal

Brake material - not regulated (freedom of choice)

Brake caliper - the cross section of each piston caliper should be round

Alloy brake caliper must be aluminum

Wheels and tires

Custom Michelin 18 inch tires with tread for use in dry and wet conditions

Racing magnesium wheels - OZ Maximum tire width - front 260 mm / rear 305 mm. Maximum tire diameter - front 650 mm / rear 690 mm

Electronics

McLaren ECU / GCU electronic systems including data logging system

Power supply control unit

Allowed equipment for data acquisition and accumulation

Telemetry not allowed

Suspension

Double steel wishbone with pushing pusher, two shock absorbers and torsion bar suspension (front) and spring suspension (rear)

Adjusting the height of the ground clearance, camber and toe

Two front / Four rear adjustable shock absorbers KONI

Adjustable anti-roll bars (front / rear)

By analogy with Formula 1 , where the races are called “ Grand Prix ”, Formula E events are called “ePrix”.

Event Format ^[7]

The championship consists of 13 stages, passing along the street routes of cities around the world.

The opening of the debut season was held in Beijing in September 2014. The championship lasted until June 2015: the stages were held in ten leading cities of the world, including Miami, Berlin, Moscow and London, where 10 teams and 20 pilots demonstrated an exciting fight on city routes, attracting even more fans to this sport around the world.

Practice, qualification and race will be held in one day in order to reduce costs and reduce discomfort in the host city.

Free arrivals

According to the rules, the morning is set aside to get acquainted with the track during the free races, which take place in two stages: 45-minute and 30-minute. Riders have two cars available, with the ability to change them if necessary. Full power (200 kW / 270 hp) is available throughout the practice.

Qualification

The qualifying session lasts one hour. The riders are divided into four groups - 2 to 5 and 2 to 6 people. Each group has 6 minutes to show the best course time. Racers can complete a maximum of four laps - two of which are fast. Full power (200 kW / 270 hp) is available throughout the qualification.

Race

The race starts from the starting grid and lasts 45 minutes. Riders are allowed to use the Atack mode system (Attack Mode) several times per race, depending on the decision of the stewards.

Championship Formula E takes place among the riders and teams. The system of scoring repeats adopted in Formula 1; additional 3 points are awarded for pole position and 2 points for the best lap.

Champions

Pilot victories

Legend to the table

Team

Legend to the table

All stages are broadcast on the official website of the series. ^[eight]

• The official website of the FIA ​​Championship Formula E (eng.)
• Official site of the organizer of the Russian stage of the FIA ​​Formula E Championship formulae.moscow
• Formula E World: latest news, reviews, videos, photos fe-world.com
• Formula E news on F1News.ru (Russian)
• Formula E: news, analytics, reviews, interviews, photos and videos of electroformula.ru (rus.)