Formula E

Charlie-Bravo

Toyota do hybrid really well in road cars - I'm not sure if pure electric is their main direction as they are more interested in producing the Mirai which is a hydrogen-fueled road car. I think the Toyota iQ-EV is really only a token car for the purposes of having a product on the electric car market. While I appreciate electric cars and their development through this reacing series, (off-topic slightlynow) Hydrogen-fueled cars makes more sense to me.

donspeekinglesh

Toyota and Nissan are in WEC to work on their Hybrids.

Going Strong

And Honda can't even get to grips with the energy harvesting in F1 so God only knows how much they'd suck at pure electric power in Formula E. Coming last in two major racing series wouldn't look too good.

El_Duderino 09

Going Strong wrote:

And Honda can't even get to grips with the energy harvesting in F1 so God only knows how much they'd suck at pure electric power in Formula E. Coming last in two major racing series wouldn't look too good.

The F1 programme must be costing them much more than they expected in terms of additional investment to solve the problem and lost positive publicity by being so poor

ScumLord

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

I just don't see it, aside from the fact that race testing simply isn't necessary for driverless road cars the risks aren't balance by the potential rewards. Viewing figures will be low, very low, it's not even on mainstream television and no manufacturer wants to see its AI driver make a mistake and smash into a wall.

Possibly. But it could come from subsidiary companies that specialise in AI. I wouldn't say that being able to race has no parallels with driving on a public road. The AI can learn awareness, like humans AI needs to be able to predict driving behaviour, they need to be able to operate in close proximity to other cars. If they can do all these things on a race track it will translate into better road behaviour. I'm not saying they can take an AI out of a race car and put it into a road car but they would certainly learn a lot on the race track that can be translated to improved road performance.

I also have a hard time believing that a link between AI racing and driverless road cars is going to sell any cars. The last think I want my driverless car to have is a driving style linked to a racing series. I want it to drive like someone's grandmother.

We already know it does help sell cars. Manufacturers use their links to motorsport all the time. Hell even watch companies use their links to motorsport to sell watches.

El_Duderino 09

Gintonious wrote:

So I see on Sky News now that Jaguar are entering Formula E, thats great news.

PopePalpatine wrote:

I can't believe they're entering it before Honda, Nissan and Toyota considering those three's work on hybrid and electric cars.

Jaguar opened a new £100m research and development facility in Warwick University, looking into future technology for road cars.

FE is legitimately competing with F1 as the best place to develop relevant technology and show off your wears.

ScumLord

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Jaguar opened a new £100m research and development facility in Warwick University, looking into future technology for road cars.

FE is legitimately competing with F1 as the best place to develop relevant technology and show off your wears.

It's more relevant I think, I can't really see hybrid systems lasting once electric gets a longer lasting battery. Diesel might stick around for a while for commercial uses but if battery technology can get over 700km the petrol engines days are really numbered.

El_Duderino 09

ScumLord wrote:

It's more relevant I think, I can't really see hybrid systems lasting once electric gets a longer lasting battery. Diesel might stick around for a while for commercial uses but if battery technology can get over 700km the petrol engines days are really numbered.

True. The difference would be that you can refill the petrol tank and be back on the road in 5 mins. Charging times need to come down or charge on the fly.

I read recently that Mercedes are actively developing hybrid road car technology. It hadn't made its way to the car shows yet though so that's not a guarantee that it will become the dominant technology of the future.

That's all a bit beside the point. I agree that FE is probably better value for money than F1 for a manufacturer looking to research and advertise through sport.

ScumLord

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

True. The difference would be that you can refill the petrol tank and be back on the road in 5 mins. Charging times need to come down or charge on the fly.

With a long range charging becomes less of an issue but yeah, if they could charge/replace a battery in under ten minutes it would be acceptable given the advantages of electric. I'm sure as electric becomes more and more popular they'll come up with better charging methods, at the moment the consumer base just isn't there. It's a solvable problem, we just need more people in electric cars to fix it.

I read recently that Mercedes are actively developing hybrid road car technology. It hadn't made its way to the car shows yet though so that's not a guarantee that it will become the dominant technology of the future.

The new engines on the market are pretty incredible, the amount of power and efficiency they're getting is very impressive. But I think they're really reaching the limits of what can be expected from an engine. The big problem I have with hybrid is the complexity of the power system. Electric is much simpler, less to go wrong.

Charlie-Bravo

The Uruguay race is on this Saturday 18 Dec at 7pm. The coverage begins at 6pm on ITV4.

The Trulli Team has withdrawn leaving just 18 cars from 9 constructor teams. Perhaps this will allow a new team in before the end of the season. From reading online articles, they keep saying them leaving opens up the door to another team. Perhaps something is ready to go for the following race?

flazio

astrofluff wrote: »

The Uruguay race is on this Saturday 18 Dec at 7pm. The coverage begins at 6pm on ITV4.

The Trulli Team has withdrawn leaving just 18 cars from 9 constructor teams. Perhaps this will allow a new team in before the end of the season. From reading online articles, they keep saying them leaving opens up the door to another team. Perhaps something is ready to go for the following race?

Apparently the deal is already done for a Jaguar team to replace Trulli

Charlie-Bravo

I see, Jaguar were announced on the same day of the Truilli exit annoucment. And Jaguar say they're due to race next season. This is only race 3 of 10. Long way till the new season. The wording just seemed to point to something else but you could be right - we'll see if something else materialises in the meantime (hopefully as the more cars, the more potential battles on track).

Charlie-Bravo

Race due to begin in a few mins.

Ghost Train

Not the most interesting track layout, didn't think the race was that good today... Didn't see the qualifying, sounded like that might have been more interesting, might watch it later on YouTube

Charlie-Bravo

Agreed, I've a feeling the teams are beginning to get to the point they have learned so much from the cars, that at this stage they are managing the optimum battery life for each half of the race. Eventually I reckon the course designs will need to assist more overtaking opportunities, as where there is least opportunity on tracks, there'll be lifting and coasting.

I don't think there's any need for aero interventions such as DRS as the cars don't go fast enough. Multiple lines in and out of corners would be beneicial. Have we had a wet race yet?

Ghost Train

Not sure if there's been a wet race, qualifying in london was a bit wet

Bit of a break till next race in Argentina on 6th of Feb

Hopefully as the cars develop the racing will get a bit closer, the lightest cars seem to be up the front at the moment

ScumLord

astrofluff wrote: »

Agreed, I've a feeling the teams are beginning to get to the point they have learned so much from the cars, that at this stage they are managing the optimum battery life for each half of the race.

While it's true that the more they race the more they'll know about the car, things should be changing enough each year that it'll keep them guessing. They've had a surprising amount of reliability given the fact some teams have switched to new engines and gear boxes. Although I wouldn't expect electric to have as many reliability problems as the likes of F1 because the cars just don't have anywhere near the same level of complexity. Next year will shake things up again.

Ghost Train wrote: »

Hopefully as the cars develop the racing will get a bit closer, the lightest cars seem to be up the front at the moment

I don't think we can really expect racing to get closer as the cars are developed in different directions in the coming years. The likelihood is that as the cars diversify that they'll start having different performance levels. Some teams will inevitably do better than others. There is the scope there for one team to have a Mercedes year where they're head and shoulders above everybody else.

Harika

Venturi and Villeneuve part ways. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122562
I am a little sad, that he goes, as I liked him as driver in the 90s. On the other side, since 1997 he hasn't shown anything remarkable in Motorsport and his performance was mediocre at best.

Harika

Venturi and Villeneuve part ways. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122562
I am a little sad, that he goes, as I liked him as driver in the 90s. On the other side, since 1997 he hasn't shown anything remarkable in Motorsport and his performance was mediocre at best.

eviltimeban

Harika wrote: »

Venturi and Villeneuve part ways. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122562
I am a little sad, that he goes, as I liked him as driver in the 90s. On the other side, since 1997 he hasn't shown anything remarkable in Motorsport and his performance was mediocre at best.

He had a few good races in BAR, in fact I remember he was in line to join McLaren around 2000 / 2001, but he stayed with BAR (for the money no doubt, but also because he and Ron didn't get along).

Was a shame as I was looking into following Formula E, some good names in there, and would've been nice to be able to follow Villeneuve again. Weird after only three races, none of which he was able to race to the car's potential (crashes, pit issues, etc). Wonder what he'll do now.

Charlie-Bravo

This is the race Schedule:

STARTS ENDS ACTIVITY
15:00 15:30 SHAKEDOWN
Saturday 06 February 2016
8:15 9:00 NON-QUALIFYING PRACTICE 1
10:30 11:00 NON-QUALIFYING PRACTICE 2
11:10 11:40 VIP pitwalk
12:00 12:06 QUALIFYING SESSION GROUP 1
12:10 12:16 QUALIFYING SESSION GROUP 2
12:20 12:26 QUALIFYING SESSION GROUP 3
12:30 12:36 QUALIFYING SESSION GROUP 4
12:45 13:00 SUPER POLE
14:00 14:30 Driver autograph session in the eVillage
14:10 14:40 VIP pitwalk
14:40 15:00 Buenos Aires ePrix parade
15:23 15:33 Pitlane opens/closes
16:00 16:50 RACE (35 laps)
17:05 Podium ceremony in the eVillage

Coverage on ITV 4 at 6pm (Buenos Aires is 3 hours behind so it looks like a 7pm race time).

Fanboost is here>>>

In the news, Salvador Duran is back with Aguri after Berthon is off to concentrate on endurance racing. Mike Conway is to race for Venturi as Villeneuve has left.

ScumLord

astrofluff wrote: »

Coverage on ITV 4 at 6pm (Buenos Aires is 3 hours behind so it looks like a 7pm race time).

Pretty sure F-E is live on youtube too.

antodeco

http://assets-iframe.ggwebcast.com/formulae/04/01/

This is for the live stream!

Ghost Train

Nice to see cars doing some sunny early morning running after long christmas break

here youtube channel, if you want some more control over steam quality settings (if you've limited data internet)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3mQYghHmAU

Ghost Train

Bump for the race, pretty nice track for these cars

flazio

What a race from Buemi and Bird

Joeseph Balls

Enjoyed that

PopePalpatine

Gutted for Da Costa, he seemed like he had a bit of a chance to repeat his great finish last season.

AMKC

Next race is on tomorrow at 9pm. On ITV from 8pm I think. Its in Mexico on the same track that Formula 1 race on but with the track modified for the formula e cars. Should be interesting to see how they do there.

flazio

AMKC wrote: »

Next race is on tomorrow at 9pm. On ITV from 8pm I think. Its in Mexico on the same track that Formula 1 race on but with the track modified for the formula e cars. Should be interesting to see how they do there.

It's NOT on ITV live as they are showing snooker. Instead it's on BT Sport, Daily Motion and Youtube.

Ghost Train

Description Date Week day Start Time End Time
Mexico City Round 5 Free Practice 1 LIVE 12/03/2016 Saturday 14:10 GMT 15:10 GMT
Mexico City Round 5 Free Practice 2 LIVE 12/03/2016 Saturday 16:25 GMT 17:10 GMT
Mexico City Round 5 Qualifying LIVE 12/03/2016 Saturday 17:45 GMT 19:10 GMT
Mexico City Round 5 Race LIVE 12/03/2016 Saturday 21:30 GMT 23:30 GMT

flazio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRqAes1HJ5g

4:06 into the video you can see the new route through the stadium section the FE cars are taking versus the F1 version.

Ghost Train

Piquet making a bit of mess of his car, missing his braking, looked nice and dramatic

AMKC

flazio wrote: »

It's NOT on ITV live as they are showing snooker. Instead it's on BT Sport, Daily Motion and Youtube.

It might not be live but it is on ITV tonight at 23.15 for anyone wanting to watch this on TV. They will probably have it on again tomorrow sometime too.

Ghost Train

Not too much overtaking. At least there was a little bit of drama between the two in second and third

flazio

In the grand scheme of things, I don't think that will go down as a classic.

Harika

diGrassi disqualified afterwards for being underweight. The track was missing overtaking opportunities and the first chicane is a disgrace.

flazio

Lucas Di Grassi has been stripped of the race win for an underweight car.
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2016/march/di-grassi-stripped-of-mexico-win.aspx

PopePalpatine

F*cking hell...that's two wins he's lost to DQs.

AMKC

I thought it was a good race if not a classic but the the racing between Buemi trying to get 2nd off Ambrossie was good I could do with better overtake opportunities alright. Maybe they will look at the for next year one.

TheChrisD

PopePalpatine wrote: »

F*cking hell...that's two wins he's lost to DQs.

And both times it's Jerome who inherited the win. Illuminati?

Jordan 199

Long Beach tonight. On ITV4 at 11pm.

skipper_G

Jordan 191 wrote: »

Long Beach tonight. On ITV4 at 11pm.

For anybody on Virgin media who has the rights restriction block for itv4 it's also on 3e

Ghost Train

Watched the end of qualifying and it was a little mixed up, which was good

Charlie-Bravo

Da Costa stripped of his pole due to low tyre pressure!!! This is F1 on 'e'.

Antonio Felix da Costa has been stripped of pole position for the Faraday Future Long Beach ePrix, after the tyres pressures of his car were found to be too low.

http://fiaformulae.com/en/news/2016/april/da-costa-stripped-of-pole-position/

AMKC

3e is also showing the race live.It on there now. It seems to be American commentary not sure. I prefer ITVs coverage but if I watch it on 3e I can pause and rewind.

PopePalpatine

ITV4 also have an American commentator alongside Dario.

Ghost Train

live on youtube as usual

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSzJ3-wLURE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSzJ3-wLURE

AMKC

PopePalpatine wrote: »

ITV4 also have an American commentator alongside Dario.

Have noticed that alright.

flazio

The usual Formula E commentator is working for BBC radio on Formula 1, so this American commentator was drafted in. Sam Bird had a nightmare.