Formula E (Electric Dreams)

[Chrill]

That's very Bernie Ecclestone of Formula E.

[Penfold]

Next season's calendar: https://www.racefans.net/2018/06/07/fia-confirms-2018-19-formula-e-calendar/

I see the Fanboost nonsense remains.

[Chrill]

Yes, but it's augmented by a HYPERBOOST Super Mario style feature. Go off the racing line and activate a more powerful engine which will last four minutes. How odd is that.

[Penfold]

Extremely.  To think, people are actually getting paid to come up with all this crap.

[Matt]

Part of the idea is to find a way to include strategy in the equation since they will not be pitting for tires or fuel otherwise. I am not sure about it, but they are right that races without any strategy can become processional.

[Penfold]

Shouldn't really be an issue for cars with so little downforce, but if they feel it's necessary I'd favour the simplicity (and fairness) of IndyCar's push-to-pass system.

[Chrill]

I shall use this for any and all electric stuff now.

https://www.motorsport.com/hillclimb/news/dumas-sets-early-pace-in-pikes-peak-qualifying-in-electric-vw-1047057/

Boom, the Volkswagen electric car goes nuts at Pikes Peak, over 11 seconds faster than the second fastest car in the first qualifying runs.

[Penfold]

Never mind all that electric stuff and how fast it's gone up a hill, I'm just fixated on that beast of a rear wing.  That thing is an absolute monster.

[Penfold]

Buemi and Alexander Albon confirmed for the E.Dams team next season, thus ruling both out of an F1 drive: https://www.racefans.net/2018/09/20/nissan-formula-e-deal-buemi-rules-out-2019-f1-return/

If Albon does ever make it to F1, or perhaps even if he makes a name for himself in FE, I shall call him Blur.

[Matt]

No link from me now, but there was also a story that Rosenqvist will do every Formula E round that does not conflict with IndyCar.

[Chrill]

Rosenqvist has a tendency to race in multiple series during the same season.

[Penfold]

Van Door touted as a driver for HWA in the upcoming season, possibly alongside Gary Paffett: https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/vandoorne-closing-in-on-hwa-formula-e-seat/

HWA will metamorphosise into the Mercedes FE entry for the 2019/20 campaign, so I guess Ocon is also a candidate if Merc wants to keep him racing next year.

[Penfold]

The Van Door confirmed as an HWA driver for next season: https://www.racefans.net/2018/10/15/vandoorne-to-join-formula-e-with-hwa/

[Penfold]

First race.  Anyone see it?  Racing was okay, the cars seem appreciably nippier than the Gen1 models which is no bad thing, and, uh, I can't really be arsed to type anything else about it right now.

[Chrill]

I did not watch it. It's getting a bit too arcade for my liking. Speed zones? Sure, it's only slightly more gimmicky than DRS but still.