It’s time for the first mechanical shivers of spring. This Saturday, the Monaco circuit welcomes its 6e e-price. 9e round of the 9e Formula E world championship season. A special feature this season is the emergence of a third generation (GEN3) of electric single-seaters, tailor-made for urban racing.
Smaller cars, which have lost 18 centimeters in length and 10 in width, and relieved of 53 kilos on the scale. If the first events of the season did not particularly panic the times, these slightly revised measurements give hope for more overtaking where, in Monaco, only the rail tightrope walkers venture there.
The Commissioner General of the Automobile Club of Monaco, Eric Barrabino, also recalled another subtlety to the Corps of Commissioners of the ACM, during its recent annual meeting at Espace Léo-Ferré. “A motor has been added to the front to recover up to 40% energy during the race. For the marshals it’s interesting, since the cars will no longer get up like before but nose dive.”
A complicated car to master
A GEN3 which is proving to be particularly difficult to train, as revealed by the discipline’s double world champion, Jean-Eric Vergne, last December in Monaco-Morning. “The benchmark for complexity is Formula E Gen3. Believe me, I’ve never seen a car as complicated to sharpen, to operate, as this new electric single-seater!”
On the design side, this season 9 marks a return to sobriety and raw shapes. Of the kind Top Gun since the optimization of the bodywork, to tame urban layouts, was inspired by the aerodynamic delta wing of a fighter plane. Result: aggressive cars in the shape of a triangle, with “net zero carbon” certification. “In designing the Gen3 car, we wanted to demonstrate that high performance, fuel efficiency and durability can coexist without compromise.”, said the CEO. of Formula E, James Reigle, on the sidelines of the presentation of the prototype, in April 2022 at the Yacht-club of Monaco. According to a recent study, Formula E is the most virtuous of the 105 world motor series.
The E-prix has found its audience in MonacoPhoto archives Cyril Dodergny.
A duel system in qualifying and an “attack” mode in the race
Unlike F1, Formula E is a condensed one-day event in Monaco. With a rhythmic format able to maintain the attention of the spectators. Saturday morning, free practice will begin at 7:30 a.m. Two 30-minute sessions before the start of a qualifying system by elimination.
Two groups of 11 cars will run for 12 minutes at reduced power, then the top four from each group will mix up for duels. A final duel of 5 minutes will determine the poleman. At 3:03 p.m., the race will start for 29 laps, “and the laps under safety car in the first part of the event are added to use all the electric capacity of the car”says Eric Barrabino.
Exit the Fan Boost this season, now the pilots benefit from the Attack Mode, a power boost validated following passing through the stand.
The marshals received their equipment to ensure the safety of the E-Prix and the F1 Grand Prix.Photo Cyril Dodergny.
The ACM commissioners endowed for the Grands Prix
Last Friday and Saturday, the 698 marshals of the Automobile Club of Monaco (ACM), including 639 on the track, received their equipment to ensure the safety of the E-Prix, this Saturday, and the F1 Grand Prix, at the end of May, in the ACM warehouses in Cap-d’Ail. In this 80th edition of the Monaco Grand Prix, note the crest in tribute to the centenary of the birth of Prince Rainier III affixed to their suit.
“Equipment is essential to the efficiency and proper functioning of the posts, recalled the Deputy Commissioner General in charge of the Corps of Commissioners, Jean-Michel Matas. You see every year that it is substantial, I ask you all to do so. handle with discernment, especially when storing in the trunks.”
Proud and grateful to this mass of volunteers – “the best in the world” – which allows the sustainability of the ACM events, President Michel Boeri came to greet them, recalling the rigor and discipline involved in function, in particular in front of the cameras which will allow 1 billion viewers to see, or see once more, the anniversary edition of the F1 Grand Prix.
