Formula E final testing

Although it only seems like yesterday that the fifth season of Formula E wrapped up, we’re now counting down to the start of the sixth FIA Formula E Championship in Saudi Arabia next month.

As part of the lead up, all of the teams had one last lash out to get machinery bedded in and see what the new cars could do. Once again held in Valencia, Spain, the Ricardo Tormo Circuit was significantly modified to more resemble the street circuits the cars will be racing on throughout the season. To that end, the track was made tighter and more technical sections were added, but the cars took it all in stride.

Each of the 12 teams put their cars through their paces, with the most successful duo in the sport, Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt putting the Audi e-tron FE06 right in the thick of it from the start.

The other two Audi e-tron FE06s being fielded by Virgin Racing were particularly quick from the start, with British driver, Sam Bird, fastest in the first two practice sessions, but with only half a second separating the top 10 cars. His teammate, Robin Frijns, took over the top spot in Session 3, and his best time of 1.15.377 set a new record for the preseason testing, easily eclipsing Antonio Felix Da Costa’s record from last year of 1.16.977.

Indeed times across the board were quicker than last year which bodes well for this year’s championship season which will see 12 teams, 24 drivers and a total of 10 manufacturers. This includes the inclusion for the first time of German brands Mercedes and Audi’s sister brand Porsche, which is already generating tremendous international interest.

As a founding member of Formula E, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler takes on its old and new competitors with its proven team. Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi are the only pairing to have jointly contested all of the Formula E races so far in the same team and are jointly entering the sixth season. 

“This consistency and the co-operation within our well-gelled squad are our great strengths in such a dynamic and vibrant championship as Formula E,” says Team Principal Allan McNish. 

With their proven track record and the new FE06 e-tron, expectations are high at Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler for another stellar season.
The two Audi e-tron FE06 cars and all of the equipment will be made ready for shipping. Initial clarity about the real relative strengths of the teams will be provided at the season opener in Diriyah (Saudi Arabia), where on November 22 and 23 the first two races will be held, before Formula E embarks on its world tour with twelve more races being held on five continents until the end of July 2020. 

The Audi e-tron FE06 

Motor generator unit Audi Schaeffler MGU04

Battery Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) by McLaren Applied Technologies, lithium-ion cells

Battery weight 385kg (wet approx.)

Battery capacity 52 kWh usable battery capacity (regulations)

Battery charge time 45 minutes (approx.)

Motor controller Bosch ECU

Power output (practice/qualifying) 250kW (max)

Power output (race) 200kW (max)

Attack mode 235kW (max)

FanBoost 250kW (max)

Drive Rear-wheel drive

Transmission High-efficiency single-speed racing transmission

Dimensions 5200mm (L), 1800mm (W), 1250mm (H)

Weight 900kg (minimum weight including driver)

0-100km/h 2.8 seconds (approx.)

Top speed 240km/h