Formula E is a new way to go racing with no shortage of interest, including from India
The concept behind the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship was conceived in 2012 and made motor sport enthusiasts take notice when it was announced that McLaren would provide the electric motor and systems while Williams F1’s Advanced Engineering division would supply the battery for the Dallara-built Spark Racing Technology SRT_01E racer.
GETTING SERIOUS
Curiosity turned to excitement as some known names officially threw their hat into the ring. French racing squad DAMS in partnership with Formula 1 legend Alain Prost. Former F1 participants Super Aguri.
The excitement is regardless of current four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel’s disparaging remarks towards electric racing, which could turn out to be ironic anyway as Red Bull Racing’s Helmut Marko has not ruled out a foray into Formula E!
And then three big ones in the space of four weeks; Audi partner Abt Sportsline, Mahindra Racing and Virgin, the former being yet another former F1 participant that had entered motorsport’s current zenith in 2010 when it believed to be entering a relevant and cost effective championship.
A TEAM OF OUR OWN
Among all the announcements certainly the most exciting one from an Indian perspective was Mahindra’s entry. Team principal of the Mahindra Racing Formula E squad Dilbagh Gill spoke to autoX about why the Indian auto major’s entry excited him as a motor sport enthusiast and the company as a whole.
“I have been involved with racing in India going back to the ‘90s and have been a keen follower of motor sport,” said Gill. “So for me it is great to see a new form of racing that is brought to the people instead of the people having to be brought to racing as all ten rounds will be held on street courses in famous cities.”
The idea of increasing people’s awareness by bringing racing right into their backyard is part of the focus on making sure the series gets adequate exposure and remains sustainable.
Hence the reason that all teams, Mahindra Racing included, will not build or keep the car it races. “To make sure that there is total parity,” said Gill. “We will only get the cars that the FIA brings to a race weekend, which is also not a typical racing weekend as everything happens on a Sunday.”
This leads to two technological aspects that excites both Gill – who has experience with Mahindra Tech in terms of IT – and Mahindra itself.
“A lot of simulation work will be required prior to turning up at a race weekend,” said Gill. “We are looking forward to that challenge along with the obvious one of learning how to develop our own electric drive train and one day becoming constructors in our own right.”
It’s heady stuff given the competition besides big names like e.dams, Abt, Super Aguri and potentially Virgin. Indycar squads and even a Chinese team are gearing up for the September 2014 start. Hopefully there will be some ‘awe’ to go with the electric ‘shock’.
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