Some are privately frustrated that while Ecclestone and some very vocal
promoters have railed against the sport’s more environmentally-conscious
agenda, Formula E has occupied the green gap, attracting involvement from
Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Sir Richard Branson, among others. “We
will never match F1 for prestige, but we are on a collision course for
sponsors and viewers,” a Formula E insider said.
F1’s hybrid revolution demonstrates an attempt to take up the mantra of
relevant technology, for a new generation of fans. But amid the quarrelling,
Formula E has swooped in to claim this agenda as its own.
Alain Prost, the four-time F1 champion and joint team principal of the e.dams
outfit, agrees. “What is important is that people understand what Formula
One is doing and they can explain, but at the moment that’s not being done
fantastically well. Formula One has not followed innovation in terms of
connectivity – it’s always more of the same thing. I’m interested in Formula
E because it is much more open and we are part of the same boat.”
Thursday to September is the easy part for Formula E. It is once they go
racing that the real scrutiny begins. As a source close to those involved at
the FIA, the brainchild of the project, said: “Formula E will look great
until the first race. It is well run and well marketed. But it is simply too
slow.”
British driver Sam Bird, who will compete for Virgin Racing, meanwhile,
contends: “Around street circuits they will be plenty quick enough. This is
the way the world is going.”
The cars – supplied to the teams in the first year, built independently from
the second – may have been designed for overtaking, but are limited to
135mph to preserve battery life. The FIA concluded that charging the
batteries mid-race was too dangerous, so drivers will hop into a second car
halfway through the one-hour race.
In an effort to be relevant to the fans, they have also come up with one
absurd idea: an X Factor-esque fans’ vote which will give one or possibly
three drivers an extra momentary boost to overtake during a race.
But, boasting some strong former F1 drivers – the likes of Jarno Trulli, Nick
Heidfeld and Jaime Alguersuari – Formula E has plenty in its favour. Tickets
will be cheaper, many of the venues will be spectacular, and some big beasts
of the automotive world have enthusiastically signed up.
While F1 persists with its chatter about the noise, Formula E should enjoy the
ride and the niche it has filled. But the future of motorsport? It is for F1
to nip that idea in the bud.