A guide to the FIA Formula E series

Team Mahindra’s probable car for the E series

The Formula E series is set to start from September 2014 onwards. It is a new FIA single-seater championship and employs electrically powered racing cars. Indian automobile company Mahindra will take part in the inaugural season, which is something for the Indians to watch out for especially after the disappointment of the Indian Grand Prix, which doesn’t feature on the F1 calendar this season. Indian drivers Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandok have a chance to take part in testing and maybe feature in the inaugural season. The first race will be held in China on 13th September this year.

What is different in the Formula E series as compared to the Formula 1 series? Lets have a look…

OVERVIEW

As compared to the F1 series, the E series will feature 10 teams. Each team will have 2 drivers and 4 cars. F1 usually employs tracks that are 4-5 km long; in the E series, due to the nature of the cars, the tracks will be 2.5 to 3 km long.

Cars will have a maximum speed of 225 km/h.

There will be a total of 10 races conducted in a season, starting from September.

Each driver must make 2 mandatory pit stops in order to change cars. This must take place in their pit area and be observed by an FIA steward to ensure all safety equipment is correctly applied. Tyre changes are not permitted during a pit stop unless there is a puncture.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Since this is the inaugural season, there will be some obvious flaws in the cars, whether or not they can last the whole season without too many intermediate changes.

The FIA rules is another thing that the drivers and the teams need to keep in their mind. Usually strict in the F1 series, drivers can expect little leniency in the E series as is the case in GP2 series.

Audience is another important factor in any race. The first season will surely throw in large audiences due to the anticipation!