I wasn't aware it was even due to begin until I stumbled across is when I woke up yesterday and was flicking through the channels.
As it's a totally new formula it's difficult to judge on the quality of the racing and it's potential success so early in it's life but here's my take on what I saw:
The cars themselves looked pretty good from a race car aspect. The back ends looked quite lively and watching them exit corners reminded me a bit like watching go karts aggressively snapping when the grip kicks in.
The cars made quite a pleasant whine - sort of like when you have an on-board shot of a GT car... well similar anyway. Still though, I don't think I could ever get used to quiet motorsport.
The cars didn't look particularly fast but I'm guessing most of this is down to the power capacity of the batteries. The cars could only last 30 minutes before having to come into the pits so the driver can switch to a fully charged car. No doubt as the technology improves, so will the speed and endurance of the cars. However, they did seem pretty rapid off the line.
Again, it's almost certainly due to the drivers wanting to save energy but the parade lap seemed to take an eternity. I know it's only a small thing but when spectators are ready and raring to see some racing, they don't want to wait a lifetime for the cars to reform on the grid.
I don't know whether it's due to the cars being quiet but there was an EJ playing music throughout. And no, this wasn't the EJ as we know it (aka Eddie Jordan), instead it is a 'side-splitting' play on the abbreviation DJ. Whatever the cars sound like, I really don't want a reject from Daft Punk playing (for the entire race) that annoying music you get whilst you're waiting for a band to take the stage at a concert.
Also, I thought that the track was pretty boring too. Pretty much all 90 degree corners with the tight chicanes just like the chicane at Monaco. I think until they go to a proper circuit it'll be kind of hard to judge the quality of racing that Formula E could produce.
It wasn't any better or any worse than other types of motor racing I've seen and I'm sure most other formulas will start going more and more the way of fully electric racing. Overall it wasn't too bad I suppose. There were plenty of ex-F1 drivers involved which I'm sure will only help to boost the sport's following.
Anyone else see it?
Any see Formula E? (aka The Future)
posted on 14/9/14
mickey b
i watched a little bit of it and afraid to say it did nothing for me , the cars are too slow with not enough downforce and the drivers are ( sorry to be blunt ) F1 rejects or drivers that are not good enough to get into F1 ,
and there lies the problem ----- if the cars are too slow and the formula only attracts drivers that are not good enough for F1 it is only ever going to be nothing more than a gimmicky kind of racing that will never attract any world class drivers and hence no huge audience figures
------ sorry mickey until the cars become alot quicker that attract F1 calibre designers and hence better drivers i am afraid i cant sugar coat a formula that looks a load of cr/ap to begin with --
posted on 14/9/14
The accident between Prost and Heidfeld looked truly horrific and very bad for Nick Heidfeld. If the cars looked a bit slow racing they look quick crashing. So relieved to see Heidfeld fighting his way out of the car after a few seconds. Yes, the "music" was terrible and really off-putting. I am told they apologised for that and not showing Bird on the podium.
Overall though I think there is potential and as soon as somebody races anything with 4 wheels I will usually watch, even soap-boxes.
I'm looking forward to the next races in the series.
posted on 14/9/14
Only. Saw. The accident, will try to watch it
posted on 14/9/14
thought it was pretty decent
Think a few of those ex-F1 drivers would still be worth a place on the grid, and v.nice to see the likes of Heidfeld race again - still a talent
posted on 15/9/14
comment by Pacific Ocean Blue (U3037)
posted 6 hours, 37 minutes ago
The accident between Prost and Heidfeld looked truly horrific and very bad for Nick Heidfeld. If the cars looked a bit slow racing they look quick crashing. So relieved to see Heidfeld fighting his way out of the car after a few seconds. Yes, the "music" was terrible and really off-putting. I am told they apologised for that and not showing Bird on the podium.
Overall though I think there is potential and as soon as somebody races anything with 4 wheels I will usually watch, even soap-boxes.
I'm looking forward to the next races in the series.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Heidfeld was very lucky he was not badly injured or even killed . Prost for me deliberately turned into him to cause him to crash . Prost should have been prosecuted for this action & banned from driving any car for 2 years .
posted on 15/9/14
I watched the whole program live on ITV4. You can watch it on catchup at https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/formula-e-live-2014-15 available for the next 5 days.
At first I wasn't sure whether the screeching was coming from the crowd or the cars and it tended to get on my nerves after a bit. The cars did seem slow but the crash at the final corner of the final lap between 1st and 2nd looked extremely dangerous. Heidfield was lucky to walk away unscathed. Pity he didn't punch Prost.
All the practice qualifying and racing take place on the same day and all the circuits are street circuits.
I'll probably watch the next one.
Official site =
http://www.fia.com/sport/championships/news/fia-formula-e-championship
posted on 15/9/14
Thanks WTCBU, will check it out
posted on 15/9/14
silly mistake by prost -- looking to his right never saw NH coming the other side , the fact the cars sound more like a hover mower than a racing car probably didnt help prosts awareness of which side NH was coming up to make his move --