CONCIERGE: THE RIYADH EDITION RACING LINES 9 8 CONCIERGE: THE RIYADH EDITION DS TECHEETAH DS LAT Photographic LAT RACING Where better to host the LINES fast-paced sport of Formula E than the rapidly flourishing Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh – a city on the rise. We asked some of the biggest VENTURI Formula-E Team Formula-E VENTURI names from the series – Alejandro Agag, Jean-Éric Vergne, Susie Wolff and Felipe Massa - to share their hopes for the season and also caught up with Saudi businesswoman Aseel Al-Hamad. grandprixphoto.com CONCIERGE: THE RIYADH EDITION RACING LINES 11 10 CONCIERGE: THE RIYADH EDITION THE FAST E LAT/Formula As the opening round of season five heads to the Middle East, AND THE Formula E’s Founder and CEO Alejandro Agag says a race in the VIRTUOUS Saudi capital of Riyadh makes perfect sense. n many ways it’s the ideal ft – Formula E is always the future,” explains His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz. looking to attract new fans, while Saudi Arabia sees “That is why this is such an exciting opportunity. It also international sport as a great way to introduce I offers the prospect of world-class racing on the streets of people to the best the country has to offer. the capital for the frst time in our history. For all fans, men, women, young and old, the dream of hosting a It is here to stay as well, as, thanks to a 10-year ‘home race’ will now come true. As a driver myself, who agreement with the General Sports Authority and Saudi cares about growing the sport, nothing could make me Arabian Motor Federation, the electric street racing happier.” His Royal Highness is also delighted that events series will become a regular fxture in Riyadh. This year’s like Formula E will encourage families to spend time with race will take place on a high-speed circuit in the historic each other, delivering “a positive impact across our town of Ad Diriyah. Home to a UNESCO World society”. And, it may even encourage a Saudi motorsport heritage site, it will provide the perfect juxtaposition of hero to emerge. ancient history and cutting-edge technology. “Perhaps there will be a future champion, technician, And that cutting-edge technology means for the frst time engineer or team manager watching from the crowd in since the series’ debut in 2014/15, Formula E cars will now Riyadh and being inspired by the sport,” H.R.H Prince last an entire race without having to pit, while the Abdulaziz adds. Such a talent could be closer to emerging presence of Felipe Massa, one of Formula One’s biggest than you think - although Riyadh’s SAUDIA Ad Diriyah names, means competition will be more intense than E-Prix is the frst international motor race the kingdom ever. “An exciting and vibrant country that is focusing on has held, Saudis have a deep-rooted passion for many its future, Saudi Arabia is the ideal venue to mark the different forms of motorsport. His Royal Highness competitive debut of the next generation Formula E Prince Khalid bin Sultan Abdullah Al Faisal, President of cars,” says Alejandro Agag, Formula E’s Founder and CEO. the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, says rallying and drag racing are particular favourites, but motor sport “We think Saudi Arabia - with the new vision of Prince in the country will be “supercharged” by this latest Abdulaziz, Prince Khalid and the country - is a ftting development. “This event and all that surrounds it, location to launch the latest chapter of the electric street from welcoming world-class teams to the global TV racing series. Many other sports are already increasing coverage, represents a watershed moment,” he said. their presence in Saudi Arabia and we’re proud that “By hosting Formula E in Riyadh, the enthusiasm for they’ve chosen Formula E over other categories in racing.” motorsport and sustainable technologies will be Although it may seem strange that one of the world’s heightened further to leave behind a valuable footprint biggest producers of oil is backing an electric racing car in the Kingdom’s landscape and showcase its growing series, hosting Formula E fts perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s credentials as a sporting destination.” 2030 vision. That plan entails reducing dependency on oil and diversifying the economy into recreation and tourism, infrastructure, health and education. “Saudi Arabia is Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO of Formula E. looking to the future and Formula E is the motorsport of CONCIERGE: THE RIYADH EDITION RACING LINES 13 12 CONCIERGE: THE RIYADH EDITION You are competing in Formula E and also in the World Endurance Championship in sports cars with high levels of down force. Does this give you, as a driver, special challenges moving from one to the other and back? DS TECHEETAH DS As you say, these are two very different categories but as a driver you need to be adaptable and adjust yourself to different cars and different situations. It’s been good for me to be driving a lot, it has helped me in both championships and I’ve celebrated a lot of success this year, it’s LEADING been a winning formula for me. THE CHARGE TECHEETAH DS Jean-Éric Vergne in his season four TECHEETAH Defending champion Jean-Éric The move to partnering with DS Automobiles is a big change, in effect becoming a works team. You become responsible for working Vergne tells Sir Patrick Head with them to develop and evaluate the drivetrain, is this a challenge you enjoy? why he’s hungry for more Yes, it’s been a great challenge for me and something I’ve enjoyed thoroughly. It success ahead of season five has changed my approach to racing and the way I go about my own driving and approach. I’m now enjoying it even more of Formula E. Your championship year in season four must than before, something I didn’t think was have been very satisfying, considering the possible. It is of course a lot more work, resources you had available. Do you think and a lot better than just “showing up” at that you and the team can carry this level the race weekend and driving, but it has of success forward into season fve, with a been great. I feel very close to my team new car and a new drivetrain partner in DS and we really went through an amazing fter competing successfully in junior formulas, Jean-Éric Vergne Automobiles? journey together, I’m looking forward to the next one with them with DS onboard. was just 21 when he joined Toro Rosso in Formula One. After Last season was a fantastic achievement I’m not changing my approach but will A three seasons Vergne left, having scored more points for the team from the whole team. Being a small continue the same way I’ve done this year. than his team mates, and was chosen by Ferrari as their development customer team that took on the I’ve put my heart and soul into the team driver. When he joined Formula E for only the third race of the series, he manufacturer giants and nearly won and together we can achieve great things. immediately showed he meant business, putting the car on pole the frst both championships is no mean feat. time he drove it. The whole season was second-to-none, Do you think that having a single car for the but I must say that aside from winning race in season fve will change the racing the title with one race to spare in New much? Will it be an improvement? Vergne went on to achieve three pole positions and two podiums in his frst York City, it was winning my home E-Prix season, and another two podiums in his second season. His third season in in Paris that I will treasure forever. When We know for a fact that it will impact the Formula E saw him clinch another fve podiums and his frst win, but it was last it comes to the championship we never racing strategy massively. In addition to rest, I’m hungry for more and we’re in a scrapping the car swap as the technology season that ensured Vergne’s name went into the history books forever. With really good place. We’ve really combined develops, we will also have a new ‘Attack six podiums, four pole positions and 198 points, he won the championship with the best of both worlds with DS and Mode’ that will become a huge factor in a bigger gap to his nearest rival than any other driver before him. He also did TECHEETAH, we were two points from the way we calculate our strategy. We will winning the team title and DS were right also go from a lap count to a time count, it with one race to spare – another frst in Formula E history. He scored points Jean-Éric Vergne, up there with us fghting for the top step we will now be racing 45min + 1 lap – so in all 12 race starts and had no breakdowns or accidents in his record-breaking season four of the podium too, we’ll be a force to be it’s a whole new world of excitement season – all with the championship’s only customer team, TECHEETAH. Formula E champion. reckoned with together. awaiting Formula E this year. CONCIERGE: THE RIYADH EDITION RACING LINES 15 14 CONCIERGE: THE RIYADH EDITION continue with the challenge of competitive racing, just After retiring from a not behind the wheel.