Electric Marrakesh

Although the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E season officially kicked off in Saudi Arabia last month, the season hits underway for the new year in Marrakesh as the 11 teams and 22 drivers head to Africa this weekend.

Saudi Arabia was a round with highs and lows for the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team, and although both Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi finished with points, it was not the strong start that the team had been hoping for. that is all set to change this weekend, after considerable preparation over the Christmas break. Indeed, straight after the Riyadh round, support driver, Nico Müller, was behind the wheel collecting invaluable data for the engineers in Neuburg to analyse. “Everyone back at home has been very busy making sure we improve and optimise all areas to allow us to be back on track. Our goals are unchanged and aim to be fighting for wins and podiums at each race – starting in Marrakesh,” says Allan McNish, Team Principal of Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler.

Preparation has also included plenty of time behind the wheel of the simulator for both Audi drivers, and their past experience of the Marrakesh layout is also expected to contribute to the overall performance this weekend.

The 2.91km ‘Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan’ situated on the outskirts of the North African metropolis is a mix of a permanent race track and public roads, with the majestic Atlas Mountains as the backdrop.

A fixture on the world Formula E circuit since 2017, Marrakesh has proved challenging to date and remains one of just three circuits at which Audi is yet to record a podium – the others being Santiago de Chile and Riyadh. 

“We’re traveling to Morocco with self-confidence, optimism and we are fully motivated,” says Lucas di Grassi. “Our expectations have been confirmed. The competition in Formula E this season is fiercer than ever before. We’re happy to tackle this challenge and are going to deliver a stronger performance in Marrakesh.” 

Teammate Daniel Abt is likewise confident of making a strong showing in Morocco, saying:

“Marrakesh is a race with a unique character and totally different track characteristics than Riyadh. The cards are being reshuffled,” he says Daniel Abt. “After round one, we had time to concentrate on working on our performance and procedures. I have every confidence in the whole squad that in Marrakesh we’re going to have a different showing than we did at the season opener.”

international broadcast schedules and channels can be found online at www.fiaformulae.com and race fans can also register for fanboost, to give their favourite driver a helping hand on race day. Drivers that receive enough votes to end up in the top five spots of the Fanboost leaderboard will literally receive an extra boost of power that they can use in the race.