Expensive motorsport returns to India after a decade with Hyderabad becoming the 30th Formula E venue. Here’s everything you need to know about the all-electric racing series ahead of the first race in India on Saturday.
How is it different from Formula 1?
Formula E is equivalent to the widely followed Formula 1 held in India between 2011 and 2013. However, apart from the prefix ‘Formula’, there are no similarities between the two events in terms of status. FIA world championship status.
The hybrid turbochargers in Formula 1 are the epitome of performance while the battery-powered Formula E machines promote sustainability and a greener world.
Formula E has a purpose but its cars have grown rapidly over the past eight seasons and Gen3 technology has been introduced this season. As the series claims, the Gen3 is the fastest, lightest, most powerful and most efficient car in its history.
It has a top speed of 320 km/h, 100 km/h faster than the first generation cars used from 2014-2017. The Gen2 cars have been driven from 2018-2022 and they can reach speeds above 280 km/h.
Since most Formula E races are held on winding streets around the world with not too long straights, top speed is often not achieved.
40 percent of energy is generated during braking
During the first season, the battery could only generate 200 kilowatts of power requiring the drivers to switch cars mid-race. The introduction of more powerful Gen2 cars means these cars can go all the way.
Output power has been increased to 350kw on Gen3 vehicles and with regeneration it can go up to 600kw. More than 40% of the energy will come from regenerative braking, a 25% increase over the Gen2. The series has a new tire supplier in Hankook but drivers are not entirely satisfied with its performance. The latest cars are also 60kg lighter than the previous generation and weigh 840kg.
Homecoming for Mahindra Racing
Mahindra Racing, which has been with Formula E since its inception, will finally experience the thrill of a home race after eight seasons.
Other manufacturers in the championship include Nissan, Porsche, Jaguar owned by Tata. McLaren and Maserati are new entrants. After winning the championship last season, Mercedes withdrew from the championship. Audi and BMW are also no longer part of the championship.
After taking the podium in the season-opening race in Mexico, Mahindra will be hoping for an encore.
Race mode
To ensure minimal disruption to public life, most activities take place in one day with FP2, qualifying and race scheduled for Saturday. Formula E introduced a new qualifying format last season called “Duels” with drivers competing against each other in the quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals after progressing through the group stage.
The rider who wins the final match takes Pole position, while the runner-up is second. The semi-finalists will place third and fourth, the quarterfinalists fifth through eighth – according to their time.
Hyderabad race track
The 2.83km track set in the city center showcases the best that Hyderabad has to offer. Cars will cycle around Hussain Sagar Lake, NTR Gardens, NTR Park and Prasads’ Imax, covering the roundabout.
Hyderabad will enter the fourth round of the championship. Saudia Arabia hosted two races in January after opening the season in Mexico.
Formula E sees India as a huge market and hopes to have a long-term future in the country.
“It took us too long to get to India. We’ll be here until they want us to,” said Formula E co-founder Alberto Longo after marking the 100-day countdown to the final. race.
Renewable energy company Greenko is the local promoter of the race along with the Telangana government.
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