Formula E innovate: An F1 car cannot do this!
Mediabank Formule E
General
- Ludo van Denderen
After a week of testing in Madrid - after DANA caused the event to be relocated from Valencia -, Formula E's 11th season got underway. The new GEN3 Evo cars were introduced, with Jaguar driver Mitch Evans setting the fastest lap on the final day. This car has a quality that even Formula 1 cars don't have.
Formula E organisers reflected on their car as "a ground-breaking machine". The GEN3 Evo is able to accelarate from 0 to a 100 kph in just 1.82 seconds, making it the fastest single seater in FIA competition. The car currently outperforms the current F1 cars by 30%. According to the competition, this is a sign that the electric sport is making huge strides in terms of innovation and technology.
22 drivers and 11 teams competed over the days at the Jarama circuit. Mitch Evans was fastest, as the drivers in total completed 4,731 laps and 18,512 km completed over six three-hour sessions spread these four days. Reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein set the third quickest time.
Higher tyre degradation in Formula E
Wehrlein, who currently drives for Porsche, was satisfied with testing. "Overall, we had a very positive test. There were lots of learnings and also lots of changes to adjust to: the tyres, the bodywork, the balance, and the all-wheel drive. Especially in the beginning, these changes can make quite a big difference. We did a full race simulation and it was good to get an idea of strategy and what the new race dynamics could be."
However, the German did have one small criticism. "The tyres have quite a lot of degradation, so it's a bit trickier on the longer run but over one lap it’s good fun. I’m feeling quite happy with the car and the set-up, and looking forward to Round 1 in São Paulo."
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi
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