Long Beach CA— Electric cars to take center stage in Long Beach, California with the Formula E Series.
Formula E is a ground-breaking FIA championship and the world’s first fully-electric racing series. It represents a vision for the future of the motor industry, serving as a framework for research and development around the electric vehicle, accelerating general interest in these cars and promoting sustainability.
The first season began in Beijing in September 2014 and completed in London in June 2015, racing in 10 major cities (11 races) around the world. The championship sees 10 teams, each with two drivers, going head-to-head to create a unique and exciting racing series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans. Season two got underway in October in Beijing where the series became an ‘open championship’ allowing approved manufacturers to develop new powertrain solutions.
Future seasons will see the regulations open up further allowing manufacturers to focus on improving battery technology.
The cars in Formula E are able to accelerate from 0–62 mph in 3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 140 mph. Noise levels are approximately 80 dB which is more than an average gasoline car which produces about 70 dB and well below the 140 db produced by Formula 1 cars. The generators used to re-charge the batteries are powered by glycerine, a by-product of bio-diesel production.
In Long Beach, DS Virgin Racing is coming to the home of its sister companies Virgin Galactic and Virgin America and also that of its Premium Partner Hewlett Packard Enterprise. The team will target points for both drivers in the Long Beach event.
DS Virgin Racing team has several podiums and a win to their name but are looking to aggressively challenge the top three teams. At 1.32 miles and featuring seven turns, the Formula E cars will race a modified configuration of the iconic Long Beach street circuit, previously used for Formula 1, CART, Champ Car and IndyCar races.
In 2015, it was at this track that Jean-Eric Vergne delivered his best result in Formula E, after finishing a close second to eventual race winner Nelson Piquet Jr. After a difficult race in Mexico Vergne is now more determined than ever to show off his capabilities on a track he previously excelled at: “I know I can do well on this track. Last year Long Beach was a great race for me and although some changes have been made to the track, there are still strong similarities. I did well in qualifying in Mexico and I plan to repeat that in Long Beach, I want a podium.”
In 4th place overall DS Virgin Racing is in a strong position but will be looking to move up the team leaderboard to challenge the top 3 before the season is over. Team Principal Alex Tai has done the math and has high hopes for the remainder of Season II: “As a Team we are capable of better results than our last outing in Mexico. Here in L.A. we must raise our game again and maintain focus. I am driving the team to ensure that both sides of the garage produce the results that we are capable of. As the season moves into its second half and prepares for a return to Europe its important for DS Virgin Racing to bring back a result and stay in contention at the top of the championship.”
The team’s British driver Sam Bird, currently 3rd overall in the driver standings and proud owner of the 1st place trophy from the recent Buenos Aires ePrix, believes that there is always room for improvement but is optimistic ahead of next week’s race: “The key is not making mistakes. I don’t believe our performance is Mexico is representative of what our team can do. The Long Beach ePrix is going to be a good one, the team is more determined than ever and I can’t wait to drive the DSV-01 in anger – I feel like she’s ready for another podium. I also won a Fanboost at last year’s race so it holds good memories. I know the team is planning some surprises in this area for Long Beach and hope that fans will once again get behind us.”
$30.00 will get you into all the days event
The Long Beach ePrix will take place on Saturday, April 2nd in the streets of downtown Long Beach surrounding the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Centre. For tickets, track layout and more information please click here: http://longbeach.fiaformulae.com/
Fans can submit a Fanboost vote via the official app or website www.fiaformulae.com/fanboost or via Twitter and Instagram by posting the #Fanboost hashtag alongside either #SamBird or #JeanEricVergne.
FIA Formula E Championship 2015-16 – Driver Standings
|
Pos |
No. |
Driver |
Team |
Points |
|
1 |
9 |
Sébastien BUEMI |
Renault e.Dams |
98 |
|
2 |
11 |
Lucas DI GRASSI |
ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport |
76 |
|
3 |
7 |
Jérôme D’AMBROSIO |
Dragon Racing |
60 |
|
4 |
2 |
SAM BIRD |
DS VIRGIN RACING FORMULA E TEAM |
58 |
|
5 |
6 |
Loïc DUVAL |
Dragon Racing |
44 |
|
6 |
23 |
Nicolas PROST |
Renault e.Dams |
38 |
|
7 |
27 |
Robin FRIJNS |
Andretti Formula E Race Team |
31 |
|
8 |
4 |
Stéphane SARRAZIN |
Venturi Formula E Team |
30 |
|
9 |
55 |
Nick HEIDFELD |
Mahindra Racing Formula E Team |
27 |
|
10 |
8 |
Antonio FELIX DA COSTA |
Team Aguri |
16 |
|
11 |
21 |
Daniel ABT |
ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport |
16 |
|
12 |
66 |
Bruno SENNA |
Mahindra Racing Formula E Team |
12 |
|
13 |
88 |
Oliver TURVEY |
NEXTEV TCR Formula E Team |
10 |
|
14 |
25 |
Jean-Éric VERGNE |
DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team |
6 |
|
15 |
77 |
Nathanaël BERTHON |
Team Aguri |
4 |
|
16 |
1 |
Nelson PIQUET JR |
NEXTEV TCR Formula E Team |
4 |
|
17 |
28 |
Simona DE SILVESTRO |
Andretti Formula E Race Team |
0 |
FIA Formula E Championship 2015-16
|
Pos |
Team |
Points |
|
1 |
Renault e.Dams |
136 |
|
2 |
ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport |
102 |
|
3 |
Dragon Racing |
92 |
|
4 |
DS VIRGIN RACING FORMULA E TEAM |
66 |
|
5 |
Mahindra Racing Formula E Team |
39 |
|
6 |
Team Aguri |
31 |
|
7 |
Andretti Formula E Race Team |
30 |
|
8 |
Venturi Formula E Team |
20 |
|
9 |
NEXTEV TCR Formula E Team |
14 |