September 2020 edi�on #8 A FRESH START Alexander Sims explains his decision to convert to

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Formula E Zone August 2020 2 CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2020

SECTION 1 SECTION 2 4 EDITOR’S LETTER OUR TOP FIVE 18 DRIVERS OF THE SEASONN MOMENTS 10 6 THE NEWS DESK CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS Formula E’s best pictures 26

10 THE NEWS DESK 28 REVIEWING THE 2016 All the latest news BERLIN E-PRIX from the world of Formula E 12 A FRESH START

Alexander Sims 12 A FRESH 16 STAT ATTACK START

18 OUR TOP FIVE DRIVERS OF THE YEAR

Formula E Zone August 2020 3 Formula E Zone August 2020 4 SILLY SEASON BEGINNING TO SLOWLY RUMBLE

We have just completed our first month without any Formula E ac�on since the end of the season in Berlin in August, and it seems like everybody has had a well-earned rest a�er the intense nature of six races in nine days, as there has not been much too talk about since the season finished. But as we wait for news about the sport we love, we all know that the silly season is in full force as deals are now being sorted out for next year as we get closer to finding out who will race in the seventh season of EDITOR Formula E. However in this off-season, Formula E Zone is determined to ensure that we bring you all of the latest news on our website and top JACK GIORDMAINA quality features in our magazine to keep you sa�ated up un�l pre-season Jack co-founded Formula E Zone back tes�ng in Valencia. Formula E looks set to test in Valencia in November, in 2014. He studied Sports Journalism instead of tes�ng in Donington which makes sense as the temperatures at the University of East London, and in the UK will be miserable at the start of December, but it could have has worked in a variety of motorsport been fun to see how a Formula E car runs at 5 degrees cen�grade. series such as Moto GP and Bri�sh Speedway. In this issue, we have an exclusive interview with Alexander Sims who opens up on how his move from BMW Andre� to Mahindra came about. The feature goes into detail about when the move happened, which may Contributors surprise some of you. We also take a look at our top five drivers of the season. These are always fun to do because not everyone agrees with your posi�oning of each driver, and some will argue that we have EDWARD HUNTER overvalued some drivers and undervalued drivers that could have made a Sub-editor case for the top five. So, we hope that you can agree with the arguments we have made in the feature, but if you disagree with us or even agree When he isn’t edi�ng videos or with us please let us know. We would love to hear your thoughts on our podcasts, Edward serves as the top five. magazine's news and features editor. I hope you enjoy the September edi�on of our magazine.

JACK PICKERING Kind Regards Reporter Jack “Picko” Pickering is a second Jack Giordmaina year Sports Journalism student who has been an avid Motorsport fan since he was three and has been working towards a career in Journalism since the age of 12. JASMINE BUTLER Jasmine Butler is currently studying Sports Journalism at the University of East London. She has a passion for motorsports and has covered other sports such as Olympic Boxing qulaifiers for the 2020 games

ABBEY CONROY Reporter

Abbey is currently in her final year of studying Sports Journalism at the University of East London. She has covered a wide range of sports and developed a passion for Formula E.

Formula E Zone August 2020 5

MOMENTS

LYNN IN ZURICH

Alex Lynn racing for DS at the Zurich E-Prix in 2018. The Brit would finish the race in 16th.

Date: 10.06.18

Picture: FIA Formula E

MOMENTS

LONDON SUNSHINE

Bruno Senna racing for Mahindra Racing around the Ba�ersea Park circuit in London. The Brazilian took his only poduim in FE on this day finshing behind race winner .

Date: 1.7.16

Picture: FIA Formula E THE NEWS DESK

VALENCIA SET TO HOST PRE-SEASON TESTING IN NOVEMBER

The pre-season Formula E test is now being planned to The mooted �ming could cause issues for new Envision take place at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia for a Virgin driver – who is scheduled to be taking fourth consecu�ve year. part in the final Super GT round at Fuji over the weekend Despite ini�al inten�ons for to host the of 28-29 November. test, Valencia will again be the venue for the event later Should he be in �tle conten�on, Cassidy would likely this year. not to be available for the test, which is a crucial one for Donington had originally been pinpointed because it his team as it does not have a private tes�ng alloca�on would have provided an easier logis�cal opera�on for cars due to its customer status. to be freighted to the season-opening race. This was at The Valencia test will be cri�cal for the majority of the first intended to be the Diriyah races at the end of the teams as some will have recently completed year before being changed in June to a start at the homologa�on of their 2021 packages while others will s�ll San�ago E-Prix in January. be tes�ng components to phase in through the second Formula E Opera�ons is believed to have been lobbied slots of homologa�on, which will kick in for the first by the compe�ng teams about changing the venue. This is European round scheduled to be the Rome E-Prix in April. believed to have been mainly due to poten�al disrup�on By regula�on, the test has to be of at least three days. It from likely inclement weather in the UK during November has previously been broken up with a day given over to and December. various opera�onal, media and PR ac�vi�es. Valencia has an average temperature of 17 degrees in Teams are wai�ng to hear from Formula E whether or November with five hours of daily sunshine and has been not they can stay extra days in Valencia a�er the test so deemed more suitable for construc�ve tes�ng. cars can have extra prepara�on �me before they are sent Specific dates are yet to be absolutely confirmed but it to Chile. is expected that tes�ng could run over the final weekend Valencia was used as a storage facility for three months of November from approximately the 27th of the month earlier this year during the pandemic lockdown period un�l Tuesday December 1st. However, there is before cars were transported back to teams in June. understood to be scope for dates just either side of these.

Formula E Zone August 2020 10 CREATES HIS OWN TEAM Formula 1 six-�me world champion Lewis Hamilton has launched a new race team called X44 that will join the Extreme E field when the all-electric off-road championship begins in early 2021. Hamilton will not form part of the driver line-up – which must be comprised of one male and one female driver under the series’ regula�ons – but will instead play a founding role in developing the team. Its X44 name is inspired by Hamilton’s F1 race number. “It’s an exci�ng new project and it will be fun to have a different role from being the team driver,” said Hamilton. “What is most appealing though, is that the Extreme E Championship will be not only be raising awareness of some of the most cri�cal environmental issues facing our planet, but also doing something about it through working with local charitable organisa�ons to leave behind no trace and a long-las�ng legacy of change. “Every single one of us has the power to make a difference, and it means so much to me that I can use my love of racing, together with my love for our planet, to have a posi�ve impact.“

FORMULA E’S GEN 3 DEADLINE EXTENDED The FIA has extended its deadline for manufacturers to commit to Formula E for its third rules cycle when it comes into opera�on for the 2022/23 season. Formula E is delaying the commitment period, which means manufacturers are now required to make a decision at board level in June 2021 – as opposed to the previous January 2021 deadline – giving a wider window which will provide more flexibility The change comes a�er mee�ngs between stakeholders in Formula E during the pandemic lockdown period earlier this year. The extension is designed to give the boards of manufacturers addi�onal adjustment �me in evalua�ng their involvement in the category a�er months of disastrous sales and financial figures caused mainly by the COVID-19 situa�on. Ini�al plans for the manufacturer Gen3 cars to be delivered in January 2022 are s�ll fixed, with race car deliveries expected in May 2022 in �me for homologa�on.

SIMS HOPEFUL THAT FE WON’T CHANGE THE QUALIFYING SYSTEM Alexander Sims is hopeful that the teams give Formula E’s qualifying system another try going into season seven. The majority of Formula E teams are asking the series to come up with a fairer qualifying format, as they feel the current group stage format is not a fair system. Sims does not want to see Formula E introduce a new qualifying format that just sees the fastest man take pole at every race weekend, so he would prefer to s�ck with the current format. “I definitely wouldn’t want to go to a format where the fast guy can always get qualifying pole and lead from the front and have an easy race,” said Sims. “It doesn’t make for a good end product and entertaining sport, so I think looking at it from an outsider’s point of view and looking at Formula E as an entertainment product its good for what we need it to do.”

Formula E Zone August 2020 11 A FRESH START

Formula E Zone August 2020 12 Words: Jasmine Butler Pictures: FIA Formula E

When we last spoke to Alexander Sims in our April edi�on of the Formula E Zone magazine, he had just finished delivering over 40,000 pieces of personal protec�ve equipment to NHS hospitals in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Brit was also thinking about his next steps in his Formula E career as we headed towards the season finale in Formula E Zone August 2020 13 Berlin which consisted of six races in nine days. Alexander Sims at the 2020 Mexico E-Prix, a race where he finshed in fi�h place.

Looking back to the first half of the season, it had A�er two season in Formula E driving for BMW Andre�, produced mixed emo�ons for the Brit. He gained his first Sims seemed to have se�led into the team well, but it was win in Formula E, but it was also marred by re�rements in obvious that behind the scenes, his drive was under threat San�ago and Marrakesh. Sims unfortunately, did not have as Team Principal Roger Griffiths never fully seemed to give the best of �mes at the six races in Berlin. He only Sims the backing he needed when asked during the teams managed to get two points finishes and the highest place press conferences. he finished in was ninth. Sims felt this pressure moun�ng during the ini�al “It was definitely not what we had hoped for at all, a worldwide lockdown period caused by the pandemic and long way away from ideal. The biggest thing we faced was opted to explore other op�ons without damaging his �es to just outright speed in qualifying, that was the biggest BMW. challenge with everyone being so close. They seemed to When news broke out that he would be leaving BMW to be par�cularly close in Berlin and it just hampered us every join Mahindra, there were a few ques�on marks on how this single �me and equally we didn’t have a huge amount of developed, but Sims informed us that all the nego�a�ons pace in any of the races either. I some�mes have to remind and discussions were completed during lockdown, before myself of the level of compe��on that we’re up against, the six races in Berlin were even announced. despite the fact that we’re qualifying in 14thand 15th “I think it was largely a factor of �mings during lockdown posi�on and it feels like somewhat of a failure, especially and just me being excited by the Mahindra opportunity. I considering the first half of the season we had. was feeling that now was a sensible �me to go in a slightly “But then when I realise that I am racing against the likes different direc�on. I have le� BMW Andre� on perfectly of , Andre Lo�erer and and good terms and I’m s�ll driving with BMW in GT’s at the so many more. I hold these drivers in very high regards; it’s moment. Going into negoa�ons with BMW I wanted to not like we are racing with nump�es. Nevertheless, the ensure that they knew I wanted to s�ll be part of the results weren’t what we had hoped for and what we programme, but I felt it was the right �me for me to move expected, so we were certainly disappointed. away from the team and explore new avenues in Formula E.” “It’s not easy in Formula E and some things don’t go the “You need to work out what is best for yourself, and that’s way you hope and you have to pay a high price in terms of not just down to money. There’s all sort of different factors results. If I knew what the problems were, we would have involved, and the Mahindra op�on seemed to be very strong been able to at least try to sort them out, but for a number of reasons and it was just at a �me when BMW unfortunately s�ll to this day we don’t really understand couldn’t be as flexible in their offer. what went wrong.”

Formula E Zone August 2020 14 “You need to work out what is best for yourself, It is not just money. There’s different factors involved, and the Mahindra option seemed to be very strong anditwasjustatatime whenBMWcouldn’tbeas flexible in their offer.”

“I had been in contact with Mahindra and some other teams before the main lockdown period started. Then obviously, there was a �me-frame when everything stopped in terms of nego�a�ons. But in the end I am happy that the conversa�ons between me and Dilbagh started up again and I am really looking forward to this new chapter in my Formula E career. One of the main a�rac�ons of Mahindra for Sims was their new technical partnership with ZF group and the Indian team’s move to their new offices in Banbury. When the 32- year old was shown around the Alexander Sims on the podium in Driyah a�er winning Saturday’s race. premises recently, he felt even more Alexander Sims at the 2020 Mexico E-Prix, a race where he finshed in fi�h place. confident that the team were moving in the right direc�on. “I have now looked around their offices passionate man and seems a great person to have “I never realised the scale of the and it’s pre�y substan�al, so they don’t feel at the top of the organisa�on. He has been Mahindra opera�on before. When I like a small li�le team. The team is inves�ng incredibly friendly and professional in our was talking to Dilbagh Gill I was heavily in the right areas and they’ve got a lot nego�a�ons; I hope that con�nues into the years impressed with what the team were out of their new technical partnership. So I ahead.” doing behind the scenes considering was happy that the team had such a strong Like every driver thats joins a new team, Sims is that they are a smaller team technical base to try and develop a good excited to get going and see what the Mahindra compared to BMW and DS , package from. package brings him. There has been no news on but I knew they always had the “Also, Dilbagh himself is an incredibly who will be joining him at the Banbury-based ou�it capabli�es to fight at the front. but he hopes he can form a good team bond with whoever it is. “It’s between me and the other driver to work closely together and to help bring the team forward Alexander Sims racing in Marrakesh in 2020. and get everyone at Mahindra working in the same direc�on. I have never really had a problem working with any of my teammates before. I think my seasons in GT racing got me very used to that aspect of team dynamics. “I don’t really like the general stereotypical single- seater situa�on where your teammate is the first person you want to beat. I don’t really like working like that. “I think firstly ge�ng that rela�onship working is pivotal to success later down the line. Jean-Eric Vergne and Andre Lo�erer were a good example of this at DS Techeetah last season. “In terms of actual results, it’s difficult to say too much. I think most people’s first priori�es is just ge�ng back to consistently challenging for points. I think going into a new season that’s probably going to be what most people aim for. “Its very difficult going into a season thinking I want to get three wins and five podiums. I think if we can just consistently be there challenging for points, then that’s the first step. A�er the first few races you sort of reassess what your goals are.”

Formula E Zone August 2020 15 Formula E Zone looks at some of the most th STAT interesting stats from 5 across all six seasons With season six of Formula E. champion Antonio Felix ATTACK Da Costa claming two wins in Berlin, he is now fi�h in the all �me wins standings with five victories. 13 1000 kilometeres 15 13 drivers in season six DS Techeetah have led over 1000 kilometers a�er leading 141 have gained more than laps in Berlin and become the second team to lead over 1000 ten places over the course kilometers. The other team to do so is Renault E.Dams of the season. This breaks Audi have the most fastest laps in the old record which was Formula E with 15. 11 in season four.

Season 6 saw the biggest points gap between first 53 and second in both in the Drivers’ Championship (71 points) and the Teams’ German drivers have now accumlated over 50 Championship (77 points). Fanboost victories since Formula E’s incep�on.

Formula E Zone August 2020 16 5th With season six champion Antonio Felix Da Costa claming two wins in Berlin, he is A�er scoring 53 points in Berlin, has become the now fi�h in the all �me second most sucessful Bri�sh driver wins standings with in Formula E a�er . five victories. 13 1000 kilometeres 13 drivers in season six DS Techeetah have led over 1000 kilometers a�er leading 141 have gained more than laps in Berlin and become the second team to lead over 1000 ten places over the course kilometers. The other team to do so is Renault E.Dams of the season. This breaks the old record which was 11 in season four. 40 Rene Rast became the 40th different 53 driver to top a qualifying group German drivers have now accumlated over 50 stage. Fanboost victories since Formula E’s incep�on.

Formula E Zone August 2020 17 Formula E Zone August 2020 18 OUR TOP FIVE DRIVERS OF THE YEAR

Formula E Zone August 2020 19 21 21 5. By Jack Giordmaina

A�er an impressive rookie season, Nyck De Vries has just He had similar bad luck in San�ago when he drove a confident race to cleared the bar to make it into our top five drivers of the season. come through the field and take the chequered flag in third place a�er When you see the other drivers in our list, you may think that some overtaking Evans at the race’s final corner to secure what would have big names like Andre Lo�erer - or even - are notably been his first podium in the championship. Unfortunately his Mercedes absent. However, when you examine De Vries' maiden campaign in car had a power spike during the race which took him over the 200kW the series in detail, you can't deny that he’s a worthy inclusion in limit, meaning he was handed a five-second penalty and instead finished our top five drivers in Formula E this season. the race in fi�h place. Looking at the 25-year old's season, his results do not actually Then in Mexico, De Vries seemed on course for a top-five finish when show the full picture of how successful the Dutch driver has been his brakes failed into Turn 1, which saw him lose out on a chance to move over the course of season six. The Mercedes driver was on the further up the championship order. In the season finale in Berlin, De Vries receiving end of a lot of bad luck and technical failures that was one of the most consistent drivers over the six races in nine days. De hindered his progress in the drivers' championship, which explains Vries finished fourth in the first race in Berlin but suffered more bad luck why he finished 11th in the overall standings. when his car came to a halt with a mechanical failure in the second race His first slice of bad luck came in the second round at Diriyah in when he was running in fi�h. the confusion surrounding A�ack Mode under the safety car. De In round nine, De Vries managed to finish in fourth with a late overtake Vries started the race in 23rd, but was able to finish eighth on the on Oliver Rowland, and then on the final race of the season he at last road. However, he gained places due to drivers ahead of him took his first podium, finishing second behind teammate Vandoorne in a entering A�ack Mode during the safety car period, (The ac�va�on Mercedes one-two. Therefore, De Vries had a very strong rookie season zone was unfortunately placed right before the safety car line, and deserved to be much higher in the championship standings than he which delineates where drivers can legally overtake) which resulted ended up. The reigning Formula 2 Champion looks set to have a long and in a draconian post-race penalty for himself and all the other drivers successful career in Formula E, and he may be one of the drivers to look who did not enter A�ack Mode. out for in his second campaign with Mercedes in season seven.

Formula E Zone August 2020 20 21 21 4. By Abbey Conroy

Stoffel Vandoorne found himself celebra�ng on the podium three The season con�nued to good going into Berlin third race with his second �mes this season, including ending the season on a high by taking the Superpole appearance of the season to qualify in fourth, but all of this top step of the podium in Berlin, which was his first win in the series. effort was ruined by a puncture which brought his race to a premature end. These performances helped him to secure the runner-up spot in the Race 4 in Berlin also saw Vandoorne come away with no points despite championship, in only his second season in Formula E. making his way up to finish 12th from 20th on the grid. Vandoorne’s first season as a factory Mercedes Benz Formula E driver But just as he started the season off in impressive fashion, he ended it got off to a flying start when he secured two third place finishes in the the exact same way. Race 5 saw him qualify in 18th, but the Belgian opening races in Diriyah, quickly highligh�ng the poten�al he had managed to finish the race in ninth. This momentum con�nued into the compe�ng for Mercedes. final race of season six with another Superpole appearance, taking his Heading into the San�ago E-Prix a�er a successful start to the season, second pole posi�on of the season, and going on to secure his third podium Vandoorne con�nued to showcase his capabili�es with Mercedes as he finish of the season in the race; this �me celebra�ng on the top step for the finished the race in 6th and managed to score enough points to finish the first �me. weekend at the top of the drivers’ standings. Looking at how highly Vandoorne finished in the championship However, this run of consistency would not con�nue a�er San�ago. standings, you could argue for him to be placed higher in this list. However, Star�ng the Mexico City E-Prix in 10th, he managed to work his way up what counted against the 28-year old Belgian in our rankings was his lack of through the field and was looking to finish the race comfortably in 5th, consistency throughout the middle part of the season, as well as during un�l the penul�mate lap when he hit the barriers, damaging his car and qualifying. Vandoorne only found himself in Superpole three �mes this in the end taking no points away from the weekend. season, and found himself having to fight through the grid to make it into This unfortunate luck followed him to Marrakesh; struggling with pace the points on mul�ple occasions. meant he only managed to qualify 17th and eventually only made up However, producing some strong comebacks and impressive drives to two posi�ons by the end of the race. Two consecu�ve race weekends end up on the podium across the season helped Vandoorne to finish as scoring no points meant Vandoorne had dropped out of the top five in runner-up in the championship in only his second season, and it is these the drivers’ championship. recovery drives that jus�fy his inclusion in this list. If his performances Once racing returned in Berlin Vandoorne looked promising once con�nue into next year, then Vandoorne could find himself once again again. In Race 1 and 2 he was able to capitalise on the new reverse layout ba�ling at the top of the standings for the championship. of the Tempelhof circuit to finish 6th and 5th respec�vely, securing points crucial to regaining places in the championship.

Formula E Zone August 2020 21 23 23 3. SEBASTIEN BUEMIBy Jack Pickering

Berlin was where we saw the Buemi that secured the season two drivers’ �tle. The 31-year old manged to secure a fi�h consecu�ve You could argue that Sebas�en Buemi’s season was subpar superpole appearance in Berlin, which would be converted to 7th in – only his second season without a win in Formula E, and he didn’t the first of the six Berlin race. The following day Buemi achieved the have a point to his name un�l finishing on the podium in Mexico fastest lap of the qualifying group stage, earning him an extra point. City. However, since then the season two champion has only missed However, Da Costa would snatch pole from him, and Buemi would out on points on one occasion since, and a lowest finish of seventh line-up on the front row, but he was unable to find a way through in the opening Berlin round (excluding the race where he did not Da Costa and had to se�le for second. qualify in Berlin), Sebas�en Buemi has had a consistent season. Buemi’s third Berlin race would be a very disappoin�ng one, Buemi could have scored in the opening weekend of the season qualifying a lowly 15th and only making up four places to 11th. in Diriyah as, despite a technical problem in the first race, he put his Buemi would return to superpole on day four of the Berlin Nissan on the front row for the second race. Buemi would remain in showdown and would take a podium a�er Oliver Rowland was told the podium places un�l he was spun out by eventual champion to move aside to allow Buemi the chance to fight the two DS Antonio Felix Da Costa. The Swiss driver rejoined unsafely and Techeetahs ahead. served a penalty. His bad luck con�nued in Chile with a seventh on While teammate Rowland took all the plaudits in the fi�h Berlin the road in San�ago becoming a 13th place finish for “not E-Prix, Buemi would get caught up in the first group of qualifying, respec�ng the homologated thro�le pedal map.” failing to set a �me, and star�ng from the back row of the grid. However, arriving in Mexico City, Buemi’s luck had changed. Buemi would fight his way through the field to salvage a point, Another superpole appearance, with a great start added in, meant be�er than his rivals who also got caught out in the qualifying that the Nissan would stay in the top three for the full dura�on of format. Buemi would top group qualifying, but he would miss out the race, ending third, with his first points of the season. on claming pole posi�on once again in the final round of the Buemi’s race would go under the radar due to Mitch Evans’ season. In the race he would drop to third behind the two Mercedes domimance in Mexico. Going into Marrakesh, Buemi secured his of Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck De Vries rounding out his season fourth consecu�ve superpole appearance. Buemi would go onto with a podium and fourth in the championship. fight it out in the la�er end of the top six placings. However the Despie being another winless season for Buemi, he s�ll derseves Nissan driver would just miss out on the podium to a low-on-power to be in our top five because he was more consistent than his Jean-Eric Vergne. teammate across the season, as well as a number of other drivers.

Formula E Zone August 2020 22 23 23 2. LUCAS DI GRASSIBy Edward Hunter

Sta�s�cally, season six was ’s worst season in defensive drive in round seven to hold off , Stoffel Vandoorne Formula E: He finished a lowest ever sixth in the driver’s standings, 81 and Sam Bird to finish third at Tempelhof airport. Di Grassi was points behind the champion Antonio Felix Da Costa. It was also the first unchallenged by during the first half of the season. However, for season in which he failed to take home a single race victory; needless to the six rounds in Berlin Di Grassi had a new teammate to deal with in the say, it was not the campaign that the season three champion had hoped form of DTM champion Rene Rast. Whilst it took a few races for the for. But whilst Di Grassi’s deficient Audi powertrain meant that his results German to get to grips with the Gen 2 Formula E car, Rast was able to were not as eye-catching this �me around, he s�ll reinforced his capitalise on being a newcomer and the be�er track condi�ons given to the reputa�on for metronomic consistency by scoring points in all but two lower runners in the championship, to out-qualify and then finish ahead of rounds, and also finishing every single race; an achievement that only Di Grassi in the final two rounds. Mitch Evans and were able to emulate. Di Grassi also found himself making contact with other drivers Di Grassi’s qualifying was disappoin�ng, with only two superpole throughout his �me in Berlin, as his tendency to squeeze his opponents appearances all season as the Audi o�en struggled to start within the top into the apex caused needless collisions with Jean-Eric Vergne and Felipe ten. It was in the races though where Di Grassi truly shone. Over the 11 Massa; Di Grassi’s biggest weakness is that he some�mes defends just a bit rounds of the season he gained a total of 69 posi�ons; more than any too aggressively. other driver on the grid. Di Grassi’s starts were also extremely For the first �me in his Formula E career, Di Grassi has a teammate that impressive, as he had the highest net gain of 15 posi�ons climbed on the can pose a serious, season-long threat to his leadership of the Audi team. opening lap of each race. Despite lowly star�ng posi�ons, Di Grassi was Should the Audi team learn the lessons from their difficult season six and able to compensate for this by capitalising on every and any opportunity jump back towards the front in seasons seven and eight, Di Grassi will have to gain ground; if somebody le� a gap, Di Grassi would o�en be the first to fend off not just the threat from the opposing squads, but also the other to occupy it. side of the garage. Watching Di Grassi’s performances in season six leaves Di Grassi’s second place at round two in Saudi Arabia was his best us in no doubt that the Brazilian has the talent and the hunger needed to result of the season, albeit one he was somewhat fortunate to get a�er gain a second Formula E �tle; it all depends on whether Audi can provide a Maximilian Guenther was penalised post-race for passing Di Grassi as the compe��ve package for him to exploit. Brazilian dived offline into the A�ack Mode ac�va�on zone under the safety car. Di Grassi’s stand out performance though, was his immaculate

Formula E Zone August 2020 23 25 25 1. ANTONIO FELIX DA COSTA By Jasmine Butler

t is no surprise that we have topped our list with Antonio Felix It soon became clear a�er his podiums in San�ago and Mexico City I plus his win at Marrakesh, that Da Costa had become the driver to Da Costa. Not only was he the 2019/20 champion but he achieved this with a comfortable margin. Da Costa finished the season on beat. The 29-year old had found a rhythm with DS Techeetah car, 158 points. His nearest compe�tor in second was Stoffel Vandoorne which allowed him to become one of the best drivers at managing his on 87 points; that makes a difference of 71 points which is the energy during the race. largest points difference from first to second in Formula E history. A�er the lockdown peroid, Da Costa was the favourite to take the He bossed the season with six podiums - the most of any driver - �tle going into the six race finale in Berlin, but with how and three wins. He also became the third driver in Formula E unpredictable Formula E can be, it is hard to commit to a certain history to gain a motorsport grand slam of pole, fastest laps and favourite for any �tle. taking victory in Berlin. The other two drivers to achieve the same However, Da Costa came out of the gate in Berlin flying, as he feat are Sebas�en Buemi and Daniel Abt. secured victories in Berlin’s first and second races, which effec�vely Da Costa wasn’t an immediate contender for the championship. ensured that he had one hand on the championship going into the He struggled in the first two races at Diriyah. In round one, he final four races of the season. qualified poorly and started in 21st. In the race, he did manage to Da Costa just missed out on the poduim in Berlin’s third race as he climb posi�ons but he collied with Daniel Abt towards the end of came home in fourth place, but it set him up superbly to win the the race and could only cross the line in 14th. championship in round nine which is exactly what he did. Da Costa Round 2 was a slight improvement, but s�ll one that Da Costa secured the championship a�er finishing second behind his team- would have been disappointed with. The Portuguese driver started mate Jean-Eric Vergne. in fi�h posi�on, but he ended up colliding with Sebas�en Buemi. Da Costa’s championship win was also the third in a row for a DS This subsequently meant Da Costa was given a 10-second drive- Techeetah driver a�er taking the �tle away from team-mate Vergne, through penalty and finished his race in 10th but managed to a�er the Frenchmen secured back-to-back championships in 2018 salvage the fastest lap to take two points from the event. and ‘19. Da Costa was consistently the strongest driver in the field, only finishing outside of the points in two occasions out of the 11 races, which just adds to the numerous reasons to why he is our best driver of the season.

Formula E Zone August 2020 24 25 25

Champion Formel E

ipment www.ck-modelcars.de Sh

Order online or by phone: e w Formulaid E Zone August 2020 25 very good, 4.93/5.00 orldw +49 6443 - 81284-28 rated by over2,000 customers 27 27 Drivers’ Standings

Position Driver Points

1 Antonio Felix Da Costa - DS Techeeath 158 2 Stoffel Vandoorne - Mercedes 87 3 Jean-Eric Vergne - Ds Techeetah 86 4 Sebastien Buemi - Nissan 84 5 Oliver Rowland - Nissan 83 6 Lucas Di Grassi - Audi 77 7 Mitch Evans - 71 8 Andre Lotterer - Porsche 71 9 Maximilian Gunther - BMW 69 10 Sam Bird - Virgin Racing 63 11 Nyck De Vries - Mercedes 60 12 Robin Frijns - Virgn Racing 58 13 Alexander Sims - BMW 49 14 Edoardo Mortara - 41 15 Rene Rast - Audi 29 16 Jerome D’Ambrosio - Mahindra 19 17 - Mahindra 16 18 - Mahindra 14 19 - Jaguar 10 20 - Porsche 8 21 Daniel Abt - NIO 333 8 22 Felipe Massa - Venturi 3 23 - Dragon 2 24 Oliver Turvey - NIO 333 0 25 Nico Muller - Dragon 0 26 - NIO 333 0 27 - Jaguar 0 28 Sergio Sette Camara - Dragon 0

Formula E Zone August 2020 26 27 27 Teams’ Championship

Position Team Points

1 DS Techeetah 244 2 Nissan E.Dams 167

3 Mercedes Benz EQ 147 4 121

5 BMW I Andretti 118

6 Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler 114

7 Panasonic Jaguar Racing 81 8 79 9 Mahindra Racing 49

10 ROKIT 44 11 GEOX Dragon 2

12 NIO 333 FE Team 0

Formula E Zone August 2020 27 29 29 REVIEWING THE 2016 BERLIN E-PRIX BY Jack Pickering

The 2016 Berlin E-Prix remains the only Formula E race held in Meanwhile, Vergne was pushing to retain third over Renault e.’ Germany’s capital city to not be held at Tempelhof Airport. Instead it Nico Prost, but pushed too hard, hit the bollard at the chicane, and was held on a street circuit which made its way around Karl-Marx slammed into the wall at the exit of Turn 3, par�ng company with his Alee, near Alexanderplatz. front wing. Thankfully for the Frenchman, the pit window was open Tensions were rising in the championship as Di Grassi had extended and all drivers were into the pits to change into their second cars, his championship lead to 11 points over Sebas�en Buemi coming into meaning he only had to nurse the damage for half a lap. the last stop on the calendar before the London double header to Prost would overtake the polesi�er before pit entry, while Di Grassi close the season. went an extra lap and overcut the Frenchman. With all pitstops However, in qualifying Di Grassi struggled and started the race from complete, the Full Course Yellow was deployed for the debris eighth, while Buemi would start on the front row alongside polesi�er sca�ered at the chicane, just a�er wowed the fans by Jean-Eric Vergne for the DS Virgin team. drama�cally spinning out. As the star�ng lights went out though, Vergne would lose the lead When racing resumed under green flag, the ba�le was on for into the first hairpin to Buemi as the Frenchman had too much second place as Di Grassi caught Prost and Abt. Prost and Di Grassi thro�le and wheelspin off the line. Vergne, in a figh�ng move, slung ba�led hard for posi�on, but Di Grassi eventually made his way his car down the inside of Buemi on the following lap at the exact through to third and had his sights set on teammate Abt’s second same hairpin to re-take the lead from the Swiss driver. place. Further down the field, the day went from bad to worse for However, before Di Grassi could think about making a move on his Mahindra. Bruno Senna and had both made it into teammate, the Safety Car was deployed for Loic Duval’s stricken superpole, however they were disqualified for low tyre pressures and machine. The Frenchman, who had already served a had to start from 15th and 16th posi�ons; Senna only making it one drive through penalty for using too much power in his first car, had lap into the race before he had to pit for repairs. crashed at the roundabout sec�on. Buemi was pa�ent behind Vergne throughout the opening laps but The Safety Car brought everyone together, and when it was sent made an aggressive move on the Frenchman into the �ght Turn 5, back in, just two laps remained. Round the penul�mate lap, Abt was and the Swiss driver was back into the lead and started to pull away ordered by the team to allow Di Grassi though to gi� his teammate from Vergne. three extra points in the drivers championship. Abt gestured the way Daniel Abt was the next driver to challenge Vergne, however the through going into Turn 1, however Di Grassi stuck behind his home driver took four laps to get past, and all chance of victory was teammate, explaining a�erwards that he wanted to win the gone. Bird was next up to challenge Vergne, and with an outside shot championship without the assistance of team orders. at the championship needed a good result. Alas, a broken front wheel All this meant that Buemi was released again and went onto win his cover meant that that the Brit was forced into the pitlane for a wing third race of the season, pu�ng him just one point behind his �tle change, as was compatriot Oliver Turvey. NEXTEV NIO’s day had gone rival Di Grassi. The team orders from the ABT team would’ve meant downhill a�er star�ng from 5th and 7th on the grid. Lucas would’ve gone to London with a four-point advantage. Heidfeld, following the disappointment of being sent to the back of Not gaining those three points proved crucial, as it lead to the the grid, was on a mission and was carving through the field and was infamous collision in London when the two collided, se�ling the �tle up to eighth place as the pit stops started. in Buemi’s favour by just two points a�er Buemi was able to recover to the pits, swap cars, and gain the two points for se�ng the fastest lap.

Formula E Zone August 2020 28 29 29

Formula E Zone August 2020