Paris street fight
Formula E heads to the city of lights this weekend for round eight of the championship.
The closest season in Formal E history hots up this weekend in Paris with Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler looking for a big performance.
26 April, 2019
The top six in the drivers’ championship are covered by 10 points, the exact difference between finishing first and third on Saturday
Although still a relatively young formula, the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship continues to capture world motorsport attention with a season close it’s impossible to predict just who will be triumphant from round to round.
In the past seven races there have been seven different winners, and while the Audi FE05 e-tron race cars have shown their incredible speed, both with the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler drivers – Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt – but also in the hands of the Envision Virgin Racing customer team of Sam Bird and Robin Frijns.
In Paris this weekend, Audi will be looking to finish in the points again and make a move on the top of the table, where only 21 points separates Daniel Art in 10th from the number one spot.
“This season, we’ve seen that our race car and team have the performance to be at the very front of the field – scoring our 1,000th point in Formula E at the last race in Rome. However, with its extremely high level and competitive racing, Formula E doesn’t forgive even the smallest of mistakes,” says Team Principal Allan McNish. “Seven winners in seven races, the top six in the drivers’ championship are covered by 10 points, the exact difference between finishing first and third on Saturday: We are right there in contention, but you need a perfect day in order to win in Formula E. We are all focusing on making that perfect day happen in Paris.”
The setting in Paris is unique for a Formula E event. On the day before the Formula E round in the French capital, sightseeing buses are still traveling through the pit lane. The 1.920- kilometre circuit is located around the Les Invalides, which houses Napoleon’s tomb. The Eiffel Tower, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and the Seine River are nearby – no other location could be deeper in the heart of the city. What’s more, ahead of the race, new tarmac is put down over the traditional cobblestone roads that make up part of the circuit, only to be painstakingly chipped off and removed after the race.
“The championship is becoming increasingly tough: anyone can be on pole and anyone can win the race – Paris will be no exception,” says Lucas di Grassi who won the inaugural Paris E-Prix in 2016/17.
“For me, this race is one of the highlights: a stunning location in the heart of the city. That’s exactly what makes Formula E so special,” says teammate Daniel Abt who has scored points in six of the seven rounds this season.
Coverage of the eighth round of the Formula E season in Paris will run on Fox Sports from 11pm AEST, Saturday 27th for those wanting to catch the action. The race runs for 45 minutes plus one lap and supports can help their favourite drivers with the Fanboost by logging on to www.fiaformulae.com.
Traditional cobbled streets are covered for the race with a protective layer of new tarmac
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