Mercedes-Benz W05
Hybrid's domination may have been broken in Canada this weekend, owing to the post pit stop failure of both cars' control electronics for the kinetic energy recovery and deployment system (heat soak in the pits frying that particular ECU, potentially), but for me, it wasn't the most important aspect from the world of motorsport over the last seven days.
No. The biggest and most significant discovery surrounded Formula E in the same week the drivers already scheduled to compete in the all-electric championship got their first taste of the cars at the championship's home, Donington Park.
Wonder if we can get @PaulGarlick involved?
You can take this piece as a rant, as it's sort of meant as one. But, as politicians say, let me be clear...
I like technology in motorsport and I'm all for the development of it to bring more manufacturers, fans and therefore money into the mix. If motorsport is more sustainable this way - and more efficient as a result - brilliant.
Without modern technology we wouldn't have 1,000hp sportscars and be looking at potentially one of the greatest races we'll ever see this weekend in the 2014 running of the 24 hours of Le Mans.
However, when race organisers start meddling with stuff to artificially 'enhance' the sport, I don't think that's right. And that's exactly what the FIA is doing with Formula E.
Example: during the races, the driver who gets the most '@' mentions on twitter will be given a third and final push-to-pass boost from his or her electric motor and battery system to be deployed on the final lap.
Renault to sell more Twizys due to Formula E?
We chastise DRS at some circuits because of the false advantage it affords some cars in Formula 1, with overtakes not completed by skilfully sizing up an opponent and trying a move in a braking zone, rather a process of get on the throttle, press a button and breeze on by.
It's great for fan involvement and that's something I'm all for, but I'm worried that this Twitter stuff will ruin any last lap excitement that's left in Formula racing. Will we not just see the teams with the best social media strategy or the man in second get a host of '@' mentions in order to obtain the boost and pass the leader down the back straight of a street circuit?
Will teams' mobile data bills be sky high in a bid to get their driver that 91hp boost one more time?
Sure, every pedaller gets two short bursts of extra juice throughout the race, so could save one to use as a last lap defence, but that's not the point.
Of all the places to find an electric car...
And to go with that, I think the FIA is wide of the mark on yet another issue. Regulations in both Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship based on a set quantity of energy allowed for a set distance actually seem to be working well now, promoting how innovation can help cars go just as fast as before (pretty much) on a quite significantly reduced volume of fuel. That's technology improving efficiency.
Swapping cars during a race is not. That's right, the Formula E cars won't have enough range to complete the one hour races on one charge, so in its infinite wisdom the FIA has decided that by allowing two cars per driver - meaning two energy intensive battery packs to produce, an increased level of investment needed by each team and no doubt a big spike in overall carbon emissions to build the things - it's promoting the message of efficiency and sustainability in motorsport.
In fact, drivers might even have to swap cars once and then swap back again as the FIA has included in the rules "two mandatory pit stops to change cars" per race.
Sean's yet to be convinced, put it that way
Silence is golden, apparently
Unlike some, noise (or lack of it) hasn't been a big problem for me in Formula 1 this year. As long as there's some of it, with a significant proportion of that released by exploding octane, then I'm happy. Besides, have you heard how loud Porsche's 919 Hybrid is compared to the new F1 cars?
However, when there's potential for almost no noise and the quality of those decibels we do hear could be pretty poor, I'm filled with trepidation.
For the first few races it'll be an undoubtedly eerie and fascinating thing to watch as tyre and transmission sounds dominate, but after the initial awe wears off, I think I'll feel like the second year Audi turned up with diesels. Bored.
The Spark-Renault SRT_01E car that'll be used exclusively this season I'm not too worried about. Even though it weighs 800kg and will be limited to 180hp during the race. It's that Formula E is trying to claim the 80dB - around 10 more than "an average petrol road car" - will be a good thing. Even though the scale is logarithmic, have you ever stood trackside and listened to a standard road car on a track day? You can hardly hear it. Apparently "by reducing excessive noise, fans of all ages will be able to enjoy a new experience in motorsport."
If that's the case I don't know if I want to enjoy a "new" experience. I want to enjoy the experience of a Judd GV4 4.0-litre V10 at over 10,000rpm ringing in my ears, thanks.
Right, I think I'll now go and don my flameproof suit...