Formula E Championship 2019: The Thrilling Pinnacle of Motorsport Competition
The second-generation vehicles boast an eye-catching new design and 85% more energy, enabling them to race faster and further than ever before. Say goodbye to pit stops mid-race, as the race itself will now be completed within a 45-minute time limit.
Jaguar's driver, Mitch Evans, anticipates that the racers will be capable of generating 100 more PS, increased traction, and exploiting tire management strategies for the very first time in Formula E.
Felipe Massa, an ex-Formula 1 racer, is making a comeback to the scene after 15 years, joining the freshly zealous Formula E. The interest in this championship from drivers worldwide is soaring, with some participating for minimal remuneration, simply because they desire to be a part of the series.
CNN reported that numerous pilots from various championships are eager to join the Formula E, including a few for "very little money, just for the sake of being part of the series."
Nelson Piquet Jr., Evans' teammate, witnessed the sport's growth firsthand, having won the inaugural championship and participated in its rise. "A great deal has changed since the first season," Piquet Jr. shared with CNN. "Many people didn't understand it or considered it a joke. It was challenging to explain it to them."
He continued, "To be honest, I didn't know what the future of Formula E looked like at the beginning, but now we're starting our fifth season."
Piquet Jr. believes that the series, ranking among the most manufacturer-backed motorsports in the world, is on the right track and hopes that even non-believers will begin to take notice of its potential.
"In five years, it's hard to even imagine how far we'll have come and what size this franchise will have grown to," he said.
The lure of Formula E
As interest in the sport continues to soar, racers from championships worldwide are eager to jump on board, with some doing so for minimal pay just to be a part of the series.
The most intriguing new addition to the 2019 roster is Felipe Massa, the Brazilian ex-Formula 1 champion, making a return after 15 years. "The interest in Formula E from the drivers is enormous," said Evans to CNN. "I think, in terms of driver talent, the Formula E will be the most competitive championship in the world."
"The skill level among the drivers is phenomenal," continued Evans. "It's amazing to be a part of such incredible talent."
James Barclay, Jaguar's team principal and chief executive, is convinced that Formula E's growth with top-tier manufacturers is capable of outshining the stage it has proven itself on.
"When we consider whether this concept is viable, there's no doubt in my mind," he said. "The discussion has shifted from 'is it relevant?' to 'how quickly and excitingly will Formula E develop?' It's a very positive moment, and given that the championship is only four years old, it's amazing to consider the evaluations we're now seeing."
According to Forbes, more than 300 million viewers worldwide tuned into a single Formula E race in the previous season, with an average of 27.1 million people watching each race. These numbers represent a significant increase against the 18.6 million viewers per game from the 2016-2017 seasons.
"[Formula E is] the fastest-growing motorsport, and I believe its future is very exciting," concluded Barclay. "From a fan's perspective, the prospect of experiencing all these top-of-the-line manufacturers with thrilling driver lineups is simply tantalizing."
What's shaping up to be an intriguing season is the closely contested duel between the first and last-place finishers. Team principals Barclay, Evans, and Piquet Jr. all believe that the introduction of the "Gen2" vehicles and associated technical advancements will establish a balance between the most experienced and least experienced teams in Formula E.
Though the advantages of experience still hold sway, the upcoming season promises to deliver no shortage of excitement and close competition.
