If you want to see wheel to wheel action as drivers fight for the lead; Formula E is your guy. Now in the second half of it’s 10th season, FE is slowly, but surely, coming into it’s own, with it’s popularity ever on the rise. However, things aren't quite what they seem, with drivers from the series evidently not happy with the current form of racing that has transpired throughout the Gen 3 era.
One of the more interesting, yet stranger, aspects from this season of Formula E is that, although there are plenty of battles for the win, no one wants to be leading the race in the early stages, thus meaning the lead of the race changes more often than not in a "pelaton" style of racing. Something unheard of to Formula One aficionados! For some, this makes an exciting race, with close upfront battles and the unknown of who is going to win. But, for others, this isn't the type of motorsport that they want to be watching. For the drivers themselves, they want to be up at the front, racing for the win, but not like this.
“We’re here to compete, we’re here to win. If we have to drive in reverse, we are going to learn how to drive in reverse but it doesn’t mean I like this kind of racing.” - Jean-Eric Vergne
Vergne, who races for DS Penske, and can be classed as the most successful Formula E driver to date, has been particularly outspoken on the matter. The only two-time FE World Champ recently said in an interview:
“It’s horrible, honestly, I really don’t like this style of racing, I hate it. I think every driver hates it, but I think it’s the way we have to race. (...) It’s truly horrible from a driver's point of view. You’re watching from the side, behind, above, below, it’s a mess.” - JEV (Taken from Autosport)
But why are drivers having to race this way in the first place?
Simply put, it's all about energy consumption and saving as much as they can after starting the race with low energy targets. Tracks that are inundated with long straights and high-speed corners, such as Portland, Misano and Berlin, have proved to be notorious for drivers, as they slip back into the back, while saving energy in the slipstream.
And, Vergne isn't the only driver to make his feelings towards pelaton style racing heard, with Porsche's Pascal Wehrlein questioning as to whether qualifying is actually worth it when positions change so frequently in these types of races.
"But from my perspective it’s just, I’d rather take a lottery for the race start positions because it doesn’t make a difference." - Pascal Wehrlein
At the 28 lap Misano E-Prix, 8 plus drivers found themselves leading the race at one point or another. There was also a total of 19 changes for the lead. The eventual winner, Antonio Felix da Costa - who was later disqualified, started from 14th position. Third place man, Jake Dennis, started 17th. A prime example of the point Wehrlein is trying to make in regards to the necessity of qualifying at these particular races.
Despite drivers concerns, has Formula E proved that the misconception that motorsport is all about flat-out racing is just that - a misconception? The reality is, especially in electric racing, that the person and team with the best strategy win. And, they may not necessarily be the fastest either, potentially making Formula E's pelaton style racing nothing more than a geniuses work - especially from a marketing point of view. As for fans, it's like a jar of marmite. You either love it, or you hate it. Regardless, there is no denying the close wheel to wheel action that makes for great viewing and plenty of conversational chit chatter on social media platforms. It really is all about the reputation.
In the long term, however, maybe Formula E needs to hear their drivers out. At the end of the day, a racing driver wants nothing more than to go flat out. If their needs are not being met, could this indicate a slow demise for the series? I hope not.
Tell me, do you like Formula E's pelaton style of racing? What do you like about it? What do you dislike? Comments are open below!
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