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Formula E

Discussion in 'Formula 1' started by East_Stand_Always, Nov 14, 2012.

  1. DHCanary

    DHCanary Very Well-Known Member
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    I went to round 10 in battersea park yesterday, bit disappointing for the spectators really. They ran out of earpieces for the commentary, and the PA system wasn't geared up for the general admission punters. Not enough big screens either.

    Was basically stood at various points along the back straight, trying to figure out what was going on! The cars were pretty impressive to watch in quali and flat out early on though. Looks like I'd have been better to go today unfortunately, they've sorted out the teething problems with the circuit, and the grid has been mixed up by weather.
     
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  2. EternalMSC

    EternalMSC Well-Known Member

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    Looked a fantastic race on TV.
     
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  3. DHCanary

    DHCanary Very Well-Known Member
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    I definitely chose the wrong day, today was loads better! Would have preferred Buemi to take the title to Piquet, and there were definitely some stewarding calls that could have tipped the balance either way, but Buemi only has himself to blame really.
     
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  4. Big Ern

    Big Ern Lord, Master, Guru & Emperor

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    They sound strange, I kept half expecting one to flip over so we could see the brush assembly. They need to sort out the 0 energy though, it's like running out of fuel, but not running out of fuel, I wasn't sure who finished where at the end, not sure the commentators did either.
    Good race from what I saw of it, and I smiled when the commentator mentioned Senna v Prost
     
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  5. DHCanary

    DHCanary Very Well-Known Member
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    I think yesterday was the first time the zero energy rule has been used. The cars basically have reserve power for limping back to the pits, its no different to F1 being only allowed 100kg of fuel, but extra to get to the grid.
     
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  6. cosicave

    cosicave Well-Known Member

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    Congratulations to Piquet Jr. on his historic win. He drove a great race and did exactly what was required of him by his very cunning strategists, saving lots of energy in order to be able to out-drag everyone else bar none. Of course, it absolutely needed a safety car to bunch the field, especially towards the end where, with others running very low, the difference was likely to be more telling. That said, there was a very important pass he was 'allowed' rather too easily for my liking…
    ;)
    I was actually rooting for Buemi, especially since neither Piquet is my cup of tea. Still, he did a great job and Buemi blew it with an uncharacteristic spin.

    I'm also pleased to read not606 was represented in part. What a shame you didn't plan for Sunday's race, DHC. The 'final' finalé, as it were, was always favourite for a more riveting race, and of course, all else being equal (British weather in particular), organisers tend to get better over a weekend, especially with inaugural double-headers. Never mind, eh? At least you were there.
    <ok>
     
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  7. El_Bando

    El_Bando Can't remember, where was I?
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    Nice one Formula E. A good entertaining season. Looking forward to the following seasons. One thing they need to improve on and probably mainly due to the promoters and broadcasters is to increase its own awareness as a few races went by with little publicity. with a calendar that's spread apart it was not obvious when the next race was. so a few news stories or move advertising would work.

    In a time when the 'Pinnacle' of motorsport is struggling, Other series could have taken advantage
     
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  8. di Fredsta!

    di Fredsta! Well-Known Member

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    I thought Buemi's actions after the race shows that he wasn't the right guy for the championship. He completely bottled it by spinning and losing out to one of the worst recent F1 drivers.. After his unbelievable luck in qualifying I thought there would be no chance of him losing the championship but he did! When he crashed out in Buenos Aires (I think) from the lead from the pressure from behind he lost the championship as he's been behind since then and couldn't consistently beat Piquet.
    Di Grassi was probably the one who deserved it the most, he was consistent throughout the year and got DSQ'd for something which wasn't his fault after dominating a race, but after the first two races, Piquet has been one of the best drivers at every race.
     
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  9. DHCanary

    DHCanary Very Well-Known Member
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    I booked tickets quite early, and was afraid the last race might be a dead rubber! That and once the teams had setup and the energy saving required sorted on the Saturday, there'd be fewer variables to shake things up in the race. As it was, those few moments of rain in the morning really shook the grid up and led to a much better race.
     
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  10. EternalMSC

    EternalMSC Well-Known Member

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    I was gunning for Di Grassi, he seemed the right person to take the title. What an exciting little series with massive potential. Who knows what it will be like when we are in our 60's.
     
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  11. DHCanary

    DHCanary Very Well-Known Member
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    Next season is shaping up nicely too. Renault and Citroen on board as manufacturers, as well as Venturi, Amlin, Abt. Andretti and more to confirm.
     
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  12. BrightLampShade

    BrightLampShade Well-Known Member
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  13. DHCanary

    DHCanary Very Well-Known Member
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    Really hope they include at least one "real" circuit next season, even if it's just to see how it works.

    That said, not sure Imola would be the right choice. Not enough braking zones to recharge the batteries I'd have thought. I wouldn't want them to have to put artificial chicanes halfway down the straights.
     
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  14. EternalMSC

    EternalMSC Well-Known Member

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    Is this basically why most of the tracks re shaped like rectangles with no free-flowing corners?
     
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  15. DHCanary

    DHCanary Very Well-Known Member
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    I think so.

    Formula E cars don't have the top speed nor the battery life yet for long flowing tracks to work. The big stopping zones allow them to both lift and coast, and to regenerate energy through breaking. The tyres on the cars are currently less grippy than would be possible to make the cars harder to handle through slower corners, because otherwise the grip and downforce would make them too easy to drive.

    Things will improve with time, I think the electric motor can be developed next season for example, so hopefully we'll start to see teams extracting more from the battery next year.
     
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  16. DHCanary

    DHCanary Very Well-Known Member
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    Formula E pre-season testing is underway, and as the teams can start to design parts of their drivetrains themselves, they don't all sound the same any more:
     
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  17. u408379965

    u408379965 Well-Known Member

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    I like how they all sound a bit different. The DS Virgin sounded like a police car, the Andretti sounded broken.
     
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  18. DHCanary

    DHCanary Very Well-Known Member
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    The Andretti was broken, they failed to complete a single lap in Pre-season testing!
     
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  19. El_Bando

    El_Bando Can't remember, where was I?
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    are they all developing their own engines or are there suppliers supplying more than one team (eg Renault)?
     
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  20. DHCanary

    DHCanary Very Well-Known Member
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    I think they're all developing their own, with the exception of those using the stock parts from season one. I'm not sure how many teams are doing that though, probably three at most.
     
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