Formula E ....
 

Gimmick or the future of racing ???

It's something to watch when there's no F1 weekend.

Dear lord I hope not. I know we have to look to greener solutions for our entertainment as well as everything else in our daily lives, but they look and sound like Scalextric cars.
I don't care how powerful they are, how quickly their torque curve peaks, or how pretty they look, for me they will never replace the spectacle that can be had when fossil fuel is the power source.

If they had similar power to F1 then fine, even GP2 but they are way way under powered IMHO.

Do the cars have to be the same, or can they go all out using anything they like just to speed up tech?

It's live on ITV4 now.

I like the buzz of hearing the cars. Not sure what to make of this.....

Interesting last lap!

Anyone remember A1 racing? Thought not! :lol1:

It's a specification series this season (I.e. all cars the same), I think next season it becomes more open and the teams can develope their own cars. Hopefully next season they'll use proper tracks too, didn't think much of the Beijing circuit.

That's cus A1 tried to go up against F1, Formula E has the full backing of the FIA.

You do so it must have made some impact . . .

I agree the track wasnt great for these to show the squirt and point of these things,
Prost has tried to blame Heidfield for the crash lol

No, it was because the media put it up against F1 as outside of football they take f**k all real notice of sport other than a handful of specialist journos.

Then of course the series got onto the hands of a less than savoury outfit who wrecked it completely.

Sad as it had merit!

They just sound so lame

.Some c**t in one those electric BMW whizzed past me the other day, after being glued to bumper for a time

Apparently if you're electric you can do 45 in a 30

He stopped just a little way up teh road, So I gave him a stare , I was tempted something ruder

Very poor track, badly needed some decent corners, not just some oval road, with a few faux chicanes thrown in.

Have to say i really like how whippy they looked, give them a decent circuit and they'll fly along.

Makes sense keeping the cars the same, gives teams a chance to settle and focus on getting the teams and general running sorted out first.

Will be very interesting once development kicks off, i really hope fia doesn't try holding them back this way the tech can really take off.

Bit like heidfeld :lol1:

I have just watched the re-run of this morning's race.
I know it's early days for this series and I hope it improves. But, for me at least, there is very little spectacle in watching these dainty little cars with their high pitched whiny motors.
Did I hear the commentator correctly - they play music to the crowd during the race? Surely not. I hope I mis-heard.

I just watched it too. I'm under the same impression Blue.

you heard right, the EJ plays music to them.

Kill me now :brickwall live music for entertainment :wonder: aren't the car supposed to be doing that, then what the hell is the text to give drivers boost all about, it not fuçking x factor, oh and last of all they qualify in separate groups, what if the first group start in the dry then it starts to rain getting worse for each group.

Not brilliantly thought out is it...

It's certainly bizarre :freak3:


( I won't be tuning in )

Is this that 'fan mode' thing, or whatever it's called?

So are you saying that the more text messages a car gets sent to it by the fans, it gets a boost; like a 'KERS for the people'?!

If so, then seriously: what the actual ****...?!?!

The E cars sound like modern F1 cars don't they? ie very very quiet.

I went to Santa Pod last Saturday. Great, close racing, extremely loud, amazingly fast with access to all areas and a really friendly family atmosphere.

Came home Sunday and watched the F1 race which was so boring I fell asleep during the race which up to then had been a procession with very quiet cars slowly meandering round and round.

I thought one of the silliest commentator lines was: 'He's made a great getaway!' as if anything else was possible. Other than accidentally switching off the motor I thought it was just foot to the floor and go, no skill involved. Blimey, I could do that bit!

Yeah. Electric motors, by their very physics, give maximum torque the split second the rotor begins to turn (effectively at 'zero' revs). It's only the inertia of said rotor/vehicle's weight, tyre friction and aero drag, etc. which hinders that immediate acceleration.

Yes, I think it works out to be similar to an extra 40 bhp. Not 100% about when they text though, I think it might be before the race and is just for a short time but is enough to overtake.

Are you serious? Monza was fantastic. Sure once Lewis got the lead the winner was decided, but the overtakes from Perez, Bottas and Ricciardo and the general dicing as they moved up the order was awesome. You really cannot call it boring unless you have always found F1 boring that is.

Nope, not always found F1 boring, it used to be fantastic many years ago, but not anymore and I've watched it for over 30 years and been to many races as you know.

Then I don't know what you want from F1 chip. I don't think anything will satisfy other than death and destruction.

Agree with the consensus on here though about Formula E. 270bhp, 900kg and no engine note. What is the point exactly.
And Prost juniour needs stringing up for that dangerous move. I though Heidfeld was a gonna for sure.

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What bit of "not always found it boring" did you not understand then?

What a stupid, silly thing to say, I would hope nobody watches it hoping to see someone hurt though that most certainly isn't the case I know.