Formula E 2016

[HustleRussell]

Just watched a rather exciting FE race from Argentina. Wasn't expecting much when I tuned in and I was almost turned off altogether by nearly an hour of boring eco talk during the build up but once the race started I really enjoyed it.

and a win from pole by a British driver in what I gather is not the best car and seemed to be trying to swap ends at every corner

[HustleRussell]

I pity the people who can't see past the power source and associated 'eco' connotations and enjoy what was an exciting race.

[HustleRussell]

Just watching the highlights from round 7 (Paris). Properly naff circuit. I despair.

[HustleRussell]

The Wookie said:

Worth pointing out that within a couple of years there will be significant power increases and the ambition to move across to a single car for the full race distance. The cars are limited to a relatively modest spec with headroom for performance increases at the moment to help establish the teams and the technology.

That's all well and good but in my opinion the circuits are the biggest problem with the series. Paris was particularly bad.

Racing in city centres sounds great in principle, but the reality of it seems to be;

• Relative lack of high speed corners, low variety between circuits
• Narrow circuits with little to no runoff apart from on corner entries
• Poor track surfaces ridden with painted lines, drain hole covers and surface changes
• Claustrophobic feel with poor camera coverage
• Circuit barriers and advertising hoardings obscure any views of 'the city'.

Paris was unrecognisable anyway. It could just have easily been a temporary circuit in some anonymous Western European motorway services or a supermarket car park.

The low speeds make the formula style cars look ungainly- they seem to dart about nervously on their eco tyres without ever looking like they're in full flow. The point-and-squirt, ninety right, ninety right nature of the circuits exacerbate this.

Fan boost does need to go.

I don't know where it's money comes from but surely there'll come a time where the lack of recognition and take-up of the series will become a problem.

I hope it remains and evolves into something good but I have my doubts...