Formula E 2017-18
Discussion
Two good races, albeit when they got going, and it actually held my interest longer than recent F1 races. Looked better on a proper circuit (Mexico) last year.
One good point, proven by the two races is that compared to F1 the cars need a real whack before any real damage is sustained - maybe something for F1 to look at, as there would have been carbon flying everywhere today..
One good point, proven by the two races is that compared to F1 the cars need a real whack before any real damage is sustained - maybe something for F1 to look at, as there would have been carbon flying everywhere today..
That start was an embarrassment. Surely you have some kind of double redundant backup? Perhaps not...
Find it all a bit mickey mouse, although thats largely down to the street circuits not being ideal for the cars they have. Also listening to some of the interviews etc I find an overbearing "we're as good as F1" chip going on, you're not so drop it, self pity is embarrassing so just do your own thing.
If you're going to swap cars (which I think is a bit naff anyway) why not run 45/55 or 40/60 of total race power allocation allowing teams free choice, mix up the strat and have less pit lane incidence (unless thats what they want to "liven it up")
Find it all a bit mickey mouse, although thats largely down to the street circuits not being ideal for the cars they have. Also listening to some of the interviews etc I find an overbearing "we're as good as F1" chip going on, you're not so drop it, self pity is embarrassing so just do your own thing.
If you're going to swap cars (which I think is a bit naff anyway) why not run 45/55 or 40/60 of total race power allocation allowing teams free choice, mix up the strat and have less pit lane incidence (unless thats what they want to "liven it up")
hoegaardenruls said:
One good point, proven by the two races is that compared to F1 the cars need a real whack before any real damage is sustained - maybe something for F1 to look at, as there would have been carbon flying everywhere today..
HustleRussell said:
Zero improvement. Circuits are still st. Frankly it's embarrassing. Was just treated to a nice closeup of one of the cars clattering over an uneven manhole cover in the middle of corner entry.
The circuits make for more entertainment than the modern F1 car park track. At least you get punished for making mistakes and they are challenging to drive on. ABT has been disqualified from the race 2 win. The post race inspection shown that the barcodes on the motor and inverter parts didn't match the declared parts pre race.
https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/133411/abt-loses...
Audi say the parts are identical and the different barcode parts being fitted was an admin error
https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/133412/audi-expl...
https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/133411/abt-loses...
Audi say the parts are identical and the different barcode parts being fitted was an admin error
https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/133412/audi-expl...
ajprice said:
ABT has been disqualified from the race 2 win. The post race inspection shown that the barcodes on the motor and inverter parts didn't match the declared parts pre race.
https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/133411/abt-loses...
Audi say the parts are identical and the different barcode parts being fitted was an admin error
https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/133412/audi-expl...
Volkswagen/Audi just can't seem to crack this compliance thing can they? https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/133411/abt-loses...
Audi say the parts are identical and the different barcode parts being fitted was an admin error
https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/133412/audi-expl...
thiscocks said:
HustleRussell said:
Zero improvement. Circuits are still st. Frankly it's embarrassing. Was just treated to a nice closeup of one of the cars clattering over an uneven manhole cover in the middle of corner entry.
The circuits make for more entertainment than the modern F1 car park track. At least you get punished for making mistakes and they are challenging to drive on. F1 races take place exclusively on FIA grade 1 race circuits, most of which are bespoke, all two miles in length at the very least.
Apparently FE doesn’t escape the questionable eligibility and stewarding decisions of F1 either, Abt’s win rescinded, Bird given a grid penalty despite already serving a drive through…
I am posting out of frustration as when FE came along I was optimistic about it and vocal on this forum in defence of it as although it was from the beginning very flawed and disappointing, I felt motorsport needed an electric series and that given a few seasons with the obvious problems worked out it could turn into a decent race series. Here we are in season four, the circuits are still pants, fanboost still exists, the cars are still only going half distance… a surprising lack of progress IMO, particularly considering the big names now involved on the teams and corporate side. Guess I need to give it a bit longer.
Allyc85 said:
I can only classify Formula E as "something to watch" as it still leaves me cold! I hate the noise and the car swap in a tent is embarrassing. I believe next year they will finally do a whole race with one car, so that will be the final judgement for me.
I wouldn't hold your breath, waiting for the one car thing. How long have they been promising more power, more speed, autonomous cars etc?Still look eons away from being able to hold races on proper circuits.
Race cars that can't compete a race are just a bad PR joke and a massively wasted opportunity.
What this series needs is pit stops with rapid battery pack changes, maybe as many as they want. This would create some excitement (!) and could also help drive technology useful to road cars (Ten second robotic ISO standard battery changes at a service station anybody?).
The battery pack latch/lock mechanism would obviously need to be of high integrity. Something akin to aircraft cargo bay doors (or maybe bomb racks?) rather than the FIA/micky-mouse refuelling kit. I'm sure this could be done, and if there's nobody in the motor sport industry who can, well pass me a fag packet...
What this series needs is pit stops with rapid battery pack changes, maybe as many as they want. This would create some excitement (!) and could also help drive technology useful to road cars (Ten second robotic ISO standard battery changes at a service station anybody?).
The battery pack latch/lock mechanism would obviously need to be of high integrity. Something akin to aircraft cargo bay doors (or maybe bomb racks?) rather than the FIA/micky-mouse refuelling kit. I'm sure this could be done, and if there's nobody in the motor sport industry who can, well pass me a fag packet...
Edited by Wicker Man on Thursday 7th December 04:12
radical78 said:
cars are getting better if we could see them at spa or Silverstone it would be a lot better these street circuits are rubbish
The circuits are chosen to create a sensation of speed. Put them on Spa or Silverstone circuit and they'll look pitiful for about five laps before running out of battery. I was watching that programme last weekend where Guy Martin was going to race a robot car (until it fell off at the second corner!). The robot car turned out to not only be computer controlled but also was an electric car.
And there was the car's creator, all excited at his invention, jigging up and down with anticipation as he explained how motor racing in the future could all be with autonomous, electric cars... and there was me thinking "and who the f**k is going to be interested in that?"
Let's not pretend that Formula E is anything other than a politically correct fig-leaf which the manufacturers are investing in for green publicity purposes. The cars are sh*t, the circuits are mickey mouse car parks, the racing is sh*t, the cars sound pathetic, and they can't even finish a race distance. A more pathetic racing spectacle on four wheels it's hard to imagine.
And there was the car's creator, all excited at his invention, jigging up and down with anticipation as he explained how motor racing in the future could all be with autonomous, electric cars... and there was me thinking "and who the f**k is going to be interested in that?"
Let's not pretend that Formula E is anything other than a politically correct fig-leaf which the manufacturers are investing in for green publicity purposes. The cars are sh*t, the circuits are mickey mouse car parks, the racing is sh*t, the cars sound pathetic, and they can't even finish a race distance. A more pathetic racing spectacle on four wheels it's hard to imagine.
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff