So formula e has confirmed 8 manufacturers for next season, as the series moves away from a spec car. I believe some are new, but only two of this seasons teams aren't confirmed. The current lineup isn't final though, so more may join. In other news, they've announced an intention to drop the two-car format for the 5th season. I don't know whether teams will be allowed to make the transition earlier though if they feel it's possible. Saving a minute in the pits over a relatively short race may be seen as enough to overcome a lap time deficit. The battersea park track for the season finale has also been confirmed by the BBC, not that we haven't known that for months though.
Michaela Cirruti has been replaced by Liuzzi for the rest of the season. She was hopelessly out of her depth so not that surprising really. Apparently she left for professional reasons, and due to events of the last few days, rather than due to performance.
Your timely reminder: Long Beach ePrix is tomorrow! It's a late night one (lights out at 2300 I believe) so I think I'm going to wait for the race to go up on Youtube...
Edit: do not read this if you intend to watch the race without knowing anything beforehand! __________________ Not a bad race. Pretty good attendance and typical California weather, and certainly one of the better overtaking circuits on the calendar. With errors not usually seen beyond F3 levels though, two guys demonstrated at least part of the reason they failed in F1. Scott Speed's over-zealous attempt to make up time in the chicane saw him self-launch over the exit kerb, unable to avoid the wall he was still pointing at; and Charles Pic's ridiculous attempt to overtake into the hairpin spun a real professional out of the race. As ever though, the very likeable Jarno Trulli was able to smile afterwards. Senna and Prost had a brief battle, with Senna coming out on top. Then again, Prost was just going backwards throughout the race. A convincing victory by the other name from the same era though: after a good start from third and a convincing overtake which saw him take the lead by the first chicane, Piquet Junior was unassailable for the rest of the 39 laps. Six different winners from six races is a plus point, leaving us still only guessing at the inaugural e-Prix champ...
I fell asleep half way through but not because it was boring but because it was on so late. It was a good race up until that point piquet was controlling it but good action behind. Pic was an idiot but somehow got away with it...the perfect crime. Best track so far but it is one of the best tracks in the world. Was it me or did they say there was no safety car at the track, but I'm sure it came out twice. Must of crazily misheard.
Still not quite sure how Piquet Jr managed to make the first corner on such a tight line, but fair play to him! Di Grassi surprised me. He was saving so much energy on the first stint I thought he was going to eke out another lap, but then didn't, and nor did he have a serious go at getting an overtake done.
Not the best Formula E race which is a shame because it was a great track - there just wasn't a lot of room for overtakes. Piquet Jr and Vergne will deservedly get most of the plaudits; was very confusing to watch the championship contenders - Di Grassi was extremely cautious, some would say too much so, and Prost was just awful. Looks like a three-way battle for the title, Buemi and Bird might possibly be able to join in with a good run.