As the 2024 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship reaches its climax in London, the excitement is palpable for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion. The season-ending double-header at the ExCeL Centre will see seven drivers battling for the coveted drivers’ championship, with the team and manufacturer titles also up for grabs.
This season finale is set to captivate a sold-out crow. With key contenders including Pascal Wehrlein of Porsche, Mitch Evans of Jaguar, and Nick Cassidy of Envision. Wehrlein and Evans are both chasing their first titles, while Cassidy aims to capitalize on his consistent performance. Additionally, Antonio Felix da Costa, the 2020 champion, has staged an impressive comeback and remains a formidable competitor.
With the support of British fans cheering on local heroes like Sam Bird and Jake Dennis, the London E-Prix will not only crown the 2024 champion but also deliver an unforgettable conclusion to an exhilarating season.
ExCeL London Circuit: Challenges and Thrills Await at the 2024 London E-Prix
The 2024 London E-Prix will take place at the iconic ExCeL London, a venue renowned for its unique indoor-outdoor track. This circuit, first introduced in 2021, offers a distinctive challenge to drivers, combining the technical demands of an indoor arena. The dynamic elements of an outdoor street circuit. As the final race of the Formula E season, the ExCeL circuit will test the skills and endurance of the drivers, making it a thrilling conclusion to the championship.
The ExCeL circuit spans 2.25 kilometers and features 23 turns that demand precision and adaptability from the drivers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the circuit, including the latest updates for 2024:
Circuit Enhancements for 2024 Formula E
- Turn 1 to Turn 3: The opening chicane is now tightened; drivers will be forced to navigate a more complex series of turns right from the start. This section now doubles back on itself rather than sticking to a straightforward 90-degree left-hander.
- Turn 4 to Turn 6: Involves a steep incline and decline, testing the drivers’ ability to manage their car’s balance and speed while transitioning between elevations. The exit from Turn 5 leads into a downhill section that demands careful handling to avoid losing control.
- Turn 7 to Turn 9: As the circuit moves outdoors, this part of the track requires adaptability and quick response to changing grip levels.
- Turn 10 to Turn 14: This sector has seen significant modifications. The direction for the hairpins at Turns 10 and 11 has been reversed from anticlockwise to clockwise. This has created a 180-degree right-hander followed by a tight chicane. This alteration demands a higher level of precision and control.
- Turn 15 to Turn 17: Back indoors, the lighting conditions change drastically, posing a unique challenge as drivers adjust from the bright outdoor light to the dimmer indoor environment. This transition can affect visibility and braking points.
- Turn 18 to Turn 20: The final sector has been majorly reworked to dispense with a higher-speed sequence of sweeping turns. Instead, the lap now includes an additional hairpin at Turn 16 and a new chicane before the penultimate corner. These changes have been made to slow down the cars and add more overtaking opportunities, addressing concerns about high speeds.
Additional resurfacing work has done to ensure a more consistent grip level throughout the track. This includes better transitions between indoor and outdoor sections. Enhanced safety barriers have installed at key points around the circuit to improve driver safety without compromising the racing excitement.
Energy Management and Strategic Adjustments
One of the critical aspects of Formula E racing is energy management. For the 2024 London E-Prix, the FIA has responded to concerns about the potential for flat-out sprint races by reducing the total available energy from 52kWh to 48kWh. This adjustment is intended to reintroduce the strategic element of energy conservation. The drivers will be requiring balancing speed with efficiency.
The unique layout and recent modifications to the ExCeL circuit ensure that the London E-Prix remains one of the most challenging and exciting events on the Formula E calendar. As the venue for the season finale, it promises high drama and a fitting end to the 2024 championship, with the added excitement of British drivers like Jake Dennis and Sam Bird competing on home soil
Teams Gear Up for a Thrilling 2024 London Formula E-Prix
As the 2024 Formula E season reaches its climax, teams and drivers are preparing for an intense showdown at the London E-Prix. This double-header event, held at the unique ExCeL London circuit, promises to be a highlight of the racing calendar. With modifications to the track and fierce competition among the teams, here’s what to expect from each contender.
Jaguar TCS Racing
Jaguar TCS Racing enters the London E-Prix with high hopes, having demonstrated strong performance throughout the season. Team will try to win all the trophies i.e. Drivers’, teams’ and manufacturers. Nick Cassidy aims to clinch the title, with leading the drivers’ championship. Mitch Evans, who has been a consistent performer, is also looking to clinch his first title after finishing third and second in previous years. With two wins already this season, Evans and his team will be gearing up to tackle the challenges posed by the modified track layout, particularly the tightened chicanes and reversed hairpins.
Porsche
Pascal Wehrlein of Porsche is another key contender, tied in the standings with Evans. Wehrlein’s season is displaying significant improvement and consistency, despite some challenges with the car’s qualifying performance. Porsche’s strategy will likely play a crucial role, especially in managing energy consumption on the reworked track. It now includes additional hairpins and chicanes designed to lower speeds and increase the need for strategic energy recovery. Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E stated-
“Our main priority in London, however, is to do our best and take home one or two trophies.”
Andretti Autosport
Andretti Autosport, powered by Porsche, is also in the mix, with Jake Dennis leading their charge. Dennis, the reigning champion, faces the challenge of helping his teammate while defending his own title. The team’s ability to manage intra-team dynamics and execute flawless race strategies will be crucial. With the FIA’s adjustments to energy limits aimed at preventing flat-out sprints.
DS Penske
As the 2024 Formula E season races to its conclusion, DS Penske is gearing up for the final showdown at the London E-Prix. Despite the anticipated departure of driver Stoffel Vandoorne, the team remains a formidable contender, leveraging its technical prowess and the seasoned expertise of two-time champion Jean-Éric Vergne. The DS E-TENSE FE23, a Gen3 car, has been instrumental in maintaining the team’s competitive edge, featuring dual powertrain systems.
Heading into the London E-Prix, DS Penske’s focus will be on maximizing their performance in qualifying sessions to avoid processional races and capitalize on the strategic elements introduced by the new circuit layout. Jean-Éric Vergne’s experience and technical insight are invaluable as the team navigates the altered track. With strategic focus and technical excellence, DS Penske aims to secure top positions and conclude the season on a high note.
Nissan Formula E Team
As the 2024 London Formula E Prix doubleheader approaches, Nissan Formula E Team is gearing up for a strong finish to the season. With Oliver Rowland back in the driver’s seat, the team is optimistic about its chances. Rowland, who previously raced for Nissan between Seasons 5 and 7, brings a wealth of experience, including five pole positions, five podiums, and a notable victory in Berlin in 2020, Currently, Rowland is mathematically still in contention for the drivers’ championship, adding an extra layer of excitement to the final showdown in London. Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team–
“We’re pleased to welcome Oli back this weekend, and he will be fighting for a potential top-three finish in the Drivers’ Championship as well. We’re satisfied with the season so far, taking six podiums and currently sitting P5 in the Teams’ Championship. However, we know we can potentially climb higher up the rankings at this event, which is exactly what we intend to do.”
Partnering Rowland is Sacha Fenestraz, who has shown remarkable potential during his rookie season. Fenestraz set the fastest Formula E lap in history at the Cape Town E-Prix and consistently performed well in qualifying. Together, Rowland and Fenestraz form a formidable duo. Poised to capitalize on the strategic opportunities presented by the London E-Prix’s unique track layout. Nissan Formula E Team’s focus will be on maximizing their performance in qualifying and leveraging their technical expertise to navigate the challenges of the final races of the season.
Weekend Schedule and Where to Watch
You can watch all the action live on SONY LIV and SONY ST1(TV Broadcast). The full schedule in IST is given below:
Follow DesiRacingCO on X to never miss a motorsport update. To know more about other motorsports, visit https://desiracingco.in/