Santiago calling

Although Formula E Season Six officially got underway in November, the season proper gets underway this weekend as the teams descend on Santiago de Chile.

The third of a total of 14 season races, Chile poses its own special challenges to the all-electric series, with temperatures at the track last year cresting 37 degrees – the hottest temperatures ever recorded during a Formula E race to date.

Once again the racing will take place on the 2.287 kilometre track at Parque O'Higgins south of the city. Although largely familiar to the teams, the track has been revised slightly to include a new chicane treatment and the pits have also been relocated. This means that drivers will need to learn the track anew during the shakedown session on January 17, to be ready for qualifying and the race on January 18.

Last year, Lucas di Grassi was fastest in qualifying, but failed to score points after a penalty and then an accident ruined his race. Teammate Daniel Abt though, scored his first podium of the season with a third and also set the fastest race lap, so the team goes to Chile with a very positive outlook.

“All of us have recharged our batteries over the holidays and are happy that the season now finally continues. Obviously, we want to take the momentum from [the first two races in] Riyadh with us into the New Year,” says Team Principal Allan McNish. 

“Last year, we were strong in Santiago: Lucas drove the fastest lap in Super Pole and Daniel finished on the podium. But now, the requirements are different, because the track layout has changed. Despite all our simulations, we’ll only know exactly what this means after the first free practice.” 

Nevertheless, both drivers are optimistic about their chances in Chile this week.

“Ever since our podium in Riyadh, if not earlier, we’ve known that with our e-tron FE06 we’ve again got a car that puts us in contention for victories this season,” says Lucas di Grassi.

Likewise, his German teammate is keen to get out on the track and get the season underway again.

“I’m all fired up for Santiago and happy to finally be sitting in a race car again,” says Daniel Abt. “Even though the opener in Riyadh wasn’t easy, it whetted my appetite for the new season even more intensely. It’s great that we’ll be racing in close succession in the coming months. Everyone in the team had time to analyse the first two races and to work on all of the details. Now we’d like to reward ourselves for this hard work.” 

This weekend’s race in Santiago de Chile will mark the 61st running of a Formula E race. Race fans will be able to follow the action online via links at www.fiaformulae.com as well as lending their support to their favourite drivers through Fanboost. Audi will also provide Formula E reports from Santiago on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram under the name AudiSport.