INDIA in F1

Tag: Formula E

  • Sony to telecast Formula E in India; Jehan Daruvala excited

    Sony to telecast Formula E in India; Jehan Daruvala excited

    London/Mumbai, 10 April 2024: Formula E and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) today announced a new three-year media partnership to air all Formula E races live on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV across the Indian sub-continent.

    SPNI will broadcast all races of the Championship’s tenth season on Sony Sports Network channels on television. Fans will be able to stream all practice sessions live, as well as qualifying and races this season, on SPNI’s OTT platform, Sony LIV.

    Jehan Daruvala, driver, Maserati MSG Racing:

    “I am excited to be pursuing my Formula E racing career knowing that I have a huge and passionate fanbase following me through Sony Pictures Networks. It is a dream come true to join Maserati MSG Racing, and I am committed to doing my very best for the team and the fans back home, and around the world.”

    Following high-octane racing in Rome last year, Formula E will make its mark at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on 13th and 14th April 2024. The Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will see 11 race teams compete in 16 races across 10 iconic cities including debuts for Misano (Italy) and Shanghai. Alongside these new locations the Championship returns to Mexico City, Diriyah, São Paulo, Monaco, Berlin and Portland before the season finale in London on the weekend of 20 and 21 July 2024.

    Sony Sports Network commenced its coverage of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with the 2024 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix this January. The 2024 Misano E-Prix scheduled on Saturday 13th April and Sunday, 14th April will be broadcast live across Sony Sports Ten 1 and Sony Sports Ten 5 channels as well as livestreamed on Sony LIV.

    Sony Pictures Networks India will also broadcast Formula E’s behind-the-scenes series, Unplugged, and closely follow Maserati MSG Racing driver Jehan Daruvala in his first season racing in the championship. 

    Formula E’s tenth racing season will be broadcast live and exclusively across India on the Sony Sports Network, with coverage extending to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Sony Sports Network has a history with Formula E, having aired its content during the fourth, fifth, and sixth seasons. To launch the partnership, Sony Sports Network has launched a campaign promoting the Championship spotlighting India’s own Jehan Daruvala from Maserati MSG racing. The campaign, featuring Jehan as “Mumbai Ka Chokra,” aims to localize Formula E and garner audience support with the rallying cry: “The Ride has just begun.”

    Link to view campaign film here.

    Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India:

    “We are thrilled to announce our multi-year partnership to broadcast all Formula E races live on Sony Sports Network. Formula E enjoys a loyal following among motorsports fans in India and we expect it to grow further with the inclusion of rising star, Jehan Daruvala. Formula E is the future of motorsports racing in the world and we are confident that the strong Indian connection is bound to ensure more love from sports enthusiasts in India.”

    Aarti Dabas, Chief Media Officer, Formula E:

    “With enthusiastic, diverse and young sports fanbase, India is an important growth market for us. As such, we are delighted to have teamed up with Sony Sports Network to supercharge this growth. This partnership guarantees that Indian fans will enjoy unparalleled access to Formula E content. This includes live coverage of every race on Sony’s linear and digital channels, featuring rookie driver and local favourite Jehan Daruvala and their home-grown team, Mahindra, who have been part of Formula E since the first season.”

  • Cassidy win clinches World team title for Envision Racing: Formula E

    Cassidy win clinches World team title for Envision Racing: Formula E

    LONDON, UK. Sun. 30 July 2023 – Nick Cassidy led all the way in a rain-soaked final race of the Formula E season in London to claim the Teams’ World Championship title for Envision Racing, edging out Mitch Evans and Jaguar TCS Racing who finished second in the race and the Teams’ title fight.

    Torrential rain in the hours leading up to Round 16, the second race in the Hankook London E-Prix, created treacherous conditions on the outdoor sections of the unique outdoor and indoor 2.09km track at the ExCeL London events arena.

    While the outcome of cricket’s Ashes was impacted by the classic downpours of a British summer, the 22 drivers were eventually able to get underway and complete the full 38-lap race which would decide the outcome of the Teams’ championship.

    Both Jaguar TCS Racing and their Jaguar-powered customer team Envision Racing were on 268 points going into the final round, creating a compelling final chapter for fans despite Jake Dennis winning the Drivers’ World Championship title in Round 15 the day before.

    Cassidy composed himself after multiple red flags and returned to the garage to claim a comfortable race win, leading home fellow New Zealander Mitch Evans and rookie champion Jake Dennis in third to win a maiden title for Envision Racing.

    Ultimately, it was an emphatic win for the Kiwi. He started in Julius Bär Pole Position, led from lights-to-flag and set the TAG Heuer Fastest Lap of the race. He kept Evans at arm’s length throughout while the lead pair also extended a 10 second advantage over next-best Dennis with track conditions and visibility as tough as they can be in motorsport.

    Cassidy’s conclusive victory in the Jaguar I-TYPE 6 earned him runner-up in the Drivers’ World Championship.

    The final round of Season 9 ended with Envision Racing extending beyond their previous best of third place to top the table ahead of their factory Jaguar TCS Racing team by 12 points. The Porsche-powered Avalanche Andretti Formula E Team was also able to edge their factory supplier TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team to third by 10 points. Dennis finished 30 points clear of Cassidy with Evans third and Wehrlein fourth.

    Two-time Academy Awards-winning actor Christoph Waltz and rapper, producer and activist Jaden Smith presented trophies on the podium while Orlando Bloom also attended the Formula E London finale weekend.

    Nick Cassidy, No 37, Envision Racing, said:

    “It’s mixed emotions but ultimately I’m very happy because today was a difficult day for me mostly because I didn’t sleep well last night, I arrived late – but I did the business so I’m proud. The team have been absolutely incredible. They’re an incredible bunch of people and they work so hard. Of course every team does but these guys have been close on so many occasions and I think that just shows how strong they have been in this championship, and to finally get it done for them I am super super happy.”

    Mitch Evans, No. 9, Jaguar TCS Racing, said:

    “Big disappointment. Obviously, we didn’t finish as World Champions in the Teams. Look, Nick did a great job and the other guys did a great job. He responded to me when I was catching him and I didn’t have enough – full credit to him. I did my best but just came a little short.

    “Massive thanks to everyone in Jaguar TCS Racing. Obviously we can take a lot of pride with the Envision World Championship too. Thanks to everyone – we’ll keep pushing on in the office season and come back better next year.”

    Jake Dennis, No. 27, Avalanche Andretti Formula E Team, said:

    “We’re beating our own records right now. To get the podium at the end of the day was special in such difficult conditions with the wet and dry sections – but we managed to do it, keep it out of the wall and we were pretty quick, but we needed to be. I think we needed a clean race, try and get that podium, celebrate now with everyone and really try and let it all sink in.

    “I have to thank these guys, all of them [the team]. They’ve done so much hard work not just this year but also last year. It’s been such a team effort and we scored so many wins, so many pole positions and so many podiums. I get to celebrate with them together so I’m looking forward to that, call it a season and come back next year. I’ll be hungover tomorrow! I don’t know what my drink of choice will be but there will be one.”

    Sylvain Filippi , Managing Director & Chief Technical Officer, Envision Racing, said:

    “Thank you. It took us nine years and it’s an incredible feeling. It’s been an incredible season, it’s all been so close. An incredible job from the team and as you know we were in very close competition with Jaguar TCS Racing but we’ve had the most amazing car. It’s fast and it’s got us where we are today.

    “We issued a team pep talk and chat late last night to regroup everyone. But ultimately our team is very strong and that is why I am so proud of them.”

    The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns in Season 10 with the 2024 Mexico City E-Prix on Saturday, 13 January 2024 and includes a debut Formula E race on the streets of Tokyo on Saturday, 30 March.

  • India not in the provisional Formula E calendar for 2024

    India not in the provisional Formula E calendar for 2024

    By Darshan Chokhani/ Formula Rapida dot net

    India is missing from the Calendar as the provisional FIA Formula E calendar for 2024 season has been released with eight rounds. Tokyo join the grid and there are three slots, for which the venue is yet to be announced and India may still make it for their second year, to host the Formula E. Last year, India made its debut as Hyderabad street circuit hosted its maiden run.

    The provisional calendar for Season 10 was published today by Formula E and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) following ratification by the FIA World Motor Sport Council and with the support of local ASNs (National Sporting Authorities) for each host city.

    The race in Tokyo on Saturday, 30 March 2024 will be the first FIA-sanctioned world championship motorsport event held in Tokyo. Twenty-two drivers from 11 teams will race the innovative GEN3 race car – the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built – on roads around the Tokyo Big Sight convention centre on the Tokyo Bay waterfront.

    Formula E and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government have been working together to bring the race to the city to support the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) initiative, part of the Zero Emission Tokyo strategy. The city has a climate action plan that aims to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

    “I am delighted by the official decision that Tokyo will host a Formula E race in March 2024,” said Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. “Centering on spreading the use of zero emission vehicles, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is accelerating actions in all realms to realize Zero Emission Tokyo, an environmentally advanced city that does not emit carbon dioxide.

    “This race will be held around Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo’s bay area, where developments are underway to become a sustainable next generation city. Let’s all look forward to seeing up close the dynamism of this race to be held for the first time in Japan and cheer the racers on. The race will not only add momentum to the spread of zero emission vehicles but will also provide a wonderful opportunity to enhance Tokyo’s international presence by showing the attractions of our city to the world. Tokyo will join forces with the organisers and others related to the race to ensure its success.”

    Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will begin in Mexico City on Saturday, 13 January following the success of a sold-out opening race to begin Season 9. Three rounds of the 17-race provisional calendar are listed as To Be Determined (TBD) while Formula E continues advanced discussions with a range of potential host cities that would see the championship create more showpiece race events in iconic global locations.

    This weekend, Formula E will debut in Portland, Oregon, and will return next season when Portland will host the final international race before the championship concludes in London in late July. Formula E will also return to São Paulo after a successful inaugural race this season.

    Berlin will maintain its record as the only city to host an E-Prix in all ten seasons of the championship, consolidating its reputation as a popular venue for drivers and fans who witnessed a record-breaking 190 overtakes and 23 lead changes in Round 7 this season. Diriyah will again host the only night race double-header on the calendar while Monaco, Rome and Jakarta complete the calendar of named host cities.

    This article written by Darshan Chokhani first appeared on www.formularapia.net

  • Jean Eric Vergne wins historic Formula E race in Hyderabad

    Jean Eric Vergne wins historic Formula E race in Hyderabad

    • Jean-Éric Vergne wins the first-ever ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race in India
    • Nick Cassidy finishes second for Envision Racing, António Félix da Costa promoted to third after investigation demotes Sébastien Buemi
    • Calamity strikes Jaguar TCS Racing as a Sam Bird collision with Mitch Evans forces both drivers to retire
    • Sell-out crowd of more than 25,000 fans attend the 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix

    HYDERABAD, Sat. 11 Feb. 2023 – Jean-Éric Vergne (DS PENSKE) held on to win an extraordinary first-ever ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race in India in front of a sellout crowd and a host of dignitaries, Bollywood celebrities and sports stars.

    Vergne fought hard in the final third of the race to stay ahead of Envision Racing pair Nick Cassidy and Sébastien Buemi, though António Félix da Costa (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) ultimately took third after the Swiss was penalised post-race.

    It’s Vergne’s first trip to the top step of the Formula E podium since Rome in April 2021 (Season 7) and he achieved it in style. Vergne made his way to the front of the pack on lap 15 of 32 (plus one lap following a safety car), the double champion sweeping by Buemi at the hairpin after the Jaguar TCS Racing pair removed one another from the equation two laps prior.

    That incident saw Sam Bird make a lunge on the dirty side of the track on fourth-placed Sacha Fenestraz (Nissan Formula E Team). The Brit could not slow his I-TYPE 6 in time, colliding with teammate Mitch Evans – who was in third at the time – pitching the Kiwi’s car into a spin. Both Jaguars were ultimately forced into retirement with the unlucky Fenestraz also left tumbling down the order in a race where a podium double looked a possibility for Jaguar.

    Vergne led the way from that moment but had his mirrors full of Cassidy’s Envision Racing machine as the chequered flag drew closer. The New Zealander had managed to gather up an extra four percentage points of usable energy on Vergne come the closing stages of the race. However, Vergne is regarded as the consummate Formula E fighter and used every trick in the book to keep Cassidy at bay and cross the line first in what many will regard as one of his best wins and one that will live long in the memory on Formula E’s first visit to India in front of a sold-out crowd of over 25,000 people.

    Buemi followed home in third but an overpower infringement saw him demoted to 15th spot via 17-second penalty, equivalent to a drive-through. That promoted TAG Heuer Porsche’s António Félix da Costa onto the podium in his 100th race, the Season 6 champion having started the race in 13th. Teammate Pascal Wehrlein crossed the line fourth after picking his way through the order from 12th on the grid.

    Sérgio Sette Câmara avoided trouble and climbed through the pack from 15th on the starting grid to produce NIO 333 Racing’s best result since Berlin in Season 4.

    Meanwhile, Oliver Rowland made a move for the podium on Buemi – not aware of the Swiss’ impending penalty at the time – with just a lap to go. It didn’t work out and saw him shuffled to sixth. Nevertheless, Rowland collected his first points of the season for Mahindra Racing in the team’s home race. Norman Nato steered to seventh and the TAG Heuer Fastest Lap.

    Reigning champion Stoffel Vandoorne (DS PENSKE) finished in eighth for his best result of the season so far, while André Lotterer(Avalanche Andretti Formula E) and Edoardo Mortara (Maserati MSG Racing) rounded out the top 10.

    Jake Dennis (Avalanche Andretti Formula E) was the victim of an over-enthusiastic René Rast move on lap 26 at the hairpin – the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team driver outbraking himself and rear-ending Dennis’ car. That proved costly for the Brit, who was running comfortably in fourth and on for a strong points haul – particularly given the strong finish for the other man out front in the standings, Pascal Wehrlein.

    That left Wehrlein with an extended 18-point advantage on Dennis, with Vergne leaping to third in the Drivers’ standings. TAG Heuer Porsche has taken a 23-point lead over Avalanche Andretti in the Teams’ World Championship.

    In addition to the sellout capacity crowd of more than 25,000 fans, the historic race was attended by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Sri K T Rama Rao, Minister for IT, Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana. Also enjoying the electric racing action were Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, current Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan, Deepak Chahar and Yuzvendra Chahal along with his actor and choreographer wife, Dhanashree Verma. 

    Jean-Éric Vergne, No. 25, DS PENSKE, said:

    “I’m very, very happy. It was a tough race – I had to defend quite hard at the end but we somehow managed to win it. It was a clean race, no mistakes. Very happy with the win today. It’s good for everyone’s heart in our team. For the first few races it’s good to boost it with a good race like that so couldn’t be happier.

    “I like new tracks – I think it’s cool. Especially this one – it’s a lot of fun. When there is a lot of little secrets to find on the track, I probably find them quickly enough.”

    Nick Cassidy, No. 37, Envision Racing, said:

    “I mean I had a really good car today – huge thanks to all my guys. I think at the races this year we’ve been pretty good. I really feel for Mitch and Jaguar today because they’re a great partner and they’ve started the season very strongly. I think the package we have is really strong and so I’m super sorry to see them go out the race like that.

    “(On reason behind having no duels this season but getting on the podium). Apart from we’re good in races? Honestly, we’re there in quali as well. Riyadh, Mexico and here, the difference between P1 and being in the duals and being P5 has been two-tenths. There’s not a big margin between 5th and starting 10th or potentially pole. That day will come.”

    António Felix da Costa, No. 13, TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, said:

    “It felt like it meant to be. The race actually started really well and then I got squeezed by Dennis and I lost a lot of positions. But we stayed calm and worked our way back to the front slowly, and managed our energy. It hasn’t been an easy start for me. It was an emotional day for me looking back at the now 100 races or the 99 races before and where I am and things not working out like I want them to be. I can’t be satisfied with the way I am qualifying at the moment. Having said that, I have an amazing team behind me, always pushing me and giving me the tools. So I know it’s only a matter of time before we do a better job in qualifying and obviously the car can race really well. And yeah I’m really happy I came all the way to India and got a podium in my 100th race.

    “So much happened. I got angry, I was happy, I was calm, I was stressed. But again, I worked well with the team throughout the whole race and I guess that’s the experience of 100 races if I’m honest -starting there and coming all the way here.”

    Round 5 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the 2023 Cape Town E-Prix on Saturday, 25 February, the first time Formula E has raced in South Africa.

  • Mahindra provides course cars to Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix

    Mahindra provides course cars to Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix

    • Mahindra & Mahindra to supply all course cars and vehicles for VIP laps this Saturday at the first ever Formula E race in India, the 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix
    • The world’s fastest-accelerating production road car – the Battista from Mahindra & Mahindra’s Automobili Pininfarina brand – will be on show to guests on the Hyderabad street circuit
    • The course cars showcase the technological advancements in EVs and the commitment of Mahindra & Mahindra to electric mobility

    HYDERABAD, India – Fri, 10 Feb. 2023: Formula E and Mahindra & Mahindra today announced that all course cars and vehicles for VIP guest laps at the inaugural 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix taking place this Saturday will be provided by Mahindra & Mahindra.

    The electric vehicle selection will consist of six course cars and eight Mahindra & Mahindra XUV4000 vehicles for VIP laps. Making its debut in India courtesy of Mahindra & Mahindra is the Battista – the pure-electric hyper GT by Italian luxury carmaker Automobili Pininfarina.

    Together, they will showcase innovations inspired by the Mahindra Racing team and developed in cars designed for road use, accelerating the development of electric mobility and the future of sustainable, luxurious transport.

    As one of the founding teams in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Mahindra Racing has competed in all 103 Formula E races to date, securing 24 podium finishes and five race wins.

    The 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix this weekend will be a home race for Mahindra Racing where thousands of passionate fans will cheer team drivers Lucas di Grassi and Oliver Rowland in the new GEN3 –the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built.

    Matt Scammell, Chief Commercial Officer, Formula E, said:

    “We are delighted to expand our unique relationship with Mahindra & Mahindra for this historic first race in India. Their on-track vehicles will showcase the value automakers see in developing cutting edge EV technology in the championship that can be directly transferred into their consumer models. We look forward to an exciting, competitive debut race in India and are sure everyone in the Mahindra Racing team will do all they can to entertain and excite their fans at the track and tuning in on TV.”

    Asha Kharga, Chairperson, Mahindra Racing, said: 

    “As one of the founding teams of Formula E and after racing across the world, this is a proud moment for Mahindra Racing as we come home to India for the first time, and to see Mahindra & Mahindra vehicles across the event will be the cherry on the cake. It outlines the possibilities in race to road technology that inspires our electric road cars.”

    Paolo Dellachà, CEO, Automobili Pininfarina, said:

    “We are proud to present the record-breaking Battista in India for the first time, in collaboration with our Mahindra & Mahindra friends at Mahindra Racing. This will be a true celebration of our respective innovations to lead the way in developing the pinnacle of electrified performance on road and track.”

    Showing support for its electric race team, high profile members of Mahindra & Mahindra will also be attending the race, including its Chairperson, Anand Mahindra and Managing Director and CEO, Anish Shah, as well as other special guests.

    In India, Star Sports Select 2 & Disney+ Hotstar will show all of the competitive action live from the 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix, with Disney + HotStar the destination for all the Formula E action across the weekend.

  • Mahindra Racing all set for home race at Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix

    Mahindra Racing all set for home race at Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix

    Mumbai / Banbury, February 6, 2023: Mahindra Racing is all set for the the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix – the team’s home race on Sunday.

    With free practice today and Race tomorrow, the Hyderabad E-Prix marks the first time the Formula E Championship visits India, an occasion the team have been looking forward to since the formation of the championship in 2014 Following on from rounds two and three in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, the team are hoping to put on a good performance for their home fans, with the focus firmly on getting both the Mahindra M9Electro race cars into the points to keep the championship challenge alive.

    Celebrating the team’s home race CEO, Frederic Bertrand said: “It’s finally here! The team’s homecoming is something we have been preparing a long time for. Ever since it was announced that Formula E would head to Hyderabad, the team have been excited to be able to put on a show for our amazing Indian fans. We hope we can reward them for their support with a successful weekend. As a team, we need to make sure we are pushing to remain in the championship fight and the target for Oliver will be to get into the points. There is a lot of energy and excitement around the team heading to India so I’m hopeful that will translate to the performance on track.”

    Ahead of round four, Lucas Di Grassi said: “It is important for us to have a good race in India – not only for the fans, but for the championship as well. It’s a new track for us, as it is for everyone up and down the grid. It needs to be a good weekend for us. We are going to try very hard and push to the limit to get the best out of the car. We can’t wait to see all the Indian fans out in force to support us and we want to give them a good show.”

    Aiming for a good weekend in India, Oliver Rowland said: “Heading into Hyderabad we know where we need to improve following a difficult weekend in Diriyah. Having the home fans behind us will add to the motivation we have racing on the team’s home ground. We know they will be fully behind us and supporting us, which will give us the extra push to perform well. I am certainly aiming to score my first points of the season.”

    The team are encouraging fans to show their support for the team, bringing them positive energy and support heading into round four. The race begins at 15:00 local time on the 11th February (09:30 GMT).

    Mahindra Racing has a strong set of partners, including Official Powertrain Partner ZF and e-fluids partner Shell. Maurice Lacroix, the luxury Swiss watchmaker, continues as the Official Timekeeper.

  • Formula E Hyderabad E-Prix will be 1st Net-Zero event in the world on this scale

    Formula E Hyderabad E-Prix will be 1st Net-Zero event in the world on this scale

    • Greenko will be powering the entire 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix event with renewable energy, making it first of its kind Net Zero event in the world on this scale.
    • ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will race in India for the first time this Saturday, 11 February
    • 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix takes place on a street circuit constructed in the heart of the city
    • Driver Pascal Wehrlein leads the Drivers’ championship after Porsche power dominated the first three races for the all-new GEN3 race car – the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built
    • Lucas di Grassi and Oliver Rowland set for the loudest cheers as Mahindra Racing competes on home soil for the first time in Formula E

    HYDERABAD, 9 Feb. 2023: Formula E will make history this Saturday (11 February) as the ABB FIA Formula E Championship comes to India for the first time with the 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix, Round 4 of the 16-race season.

    The 2.835km street circuit, constructed around the shores of the Hussain Sagar lake by the NTR Gardens, will see the first top-tier FIA World Championship motorsport in the country for a decade and will become India’s first elite electric motor racing event.

    Pascal Wehrlein, TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team driver, moved to the top of the Drivers’ standings after winning both races in the double-header in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, thanks to an overtaking masterclass.

    But 2016/17 Formula E champion, Lucas di Grassi, and teammate Oliver Rowland are expected to attract the biggest cheers from passionate fans in the grandstand in the first home race for their team, Mahindra Racing. Di Grassi already has silverware to his name this season, sealed on his debut for Mahindra at the Mexico City season-opener, and no driver has been on the podium more than his nine in Asia.

    Lucas di Grassi, driver, Mahindra Racing, said:

    “It is important for us to have a good race in India – not only for the fans, but for the championship as well. It’s a new track for us, as it is for everyone up and down the grid. It needs to be a good weekend for us. We are going to try very hard and push to the limit to get the best out of the car. We can’t wait to see all the Indian fans out in force to support us and we want to give them a good show.”

    Oliver Rowland, driver, Mahindra Racing, said:

    “Heading into Hyderabad we know where we need to improve following a difficult weekend in Diriyah. Having the home fans behind us will add to the motivation we have racing on the team’s home ground. We know they will be fully behind us and supporting us, which will give us the extra push to perform well.”

    AS IT STANDS

    If Mahindra Racing are to take to the top step of the podium in Hyderabad, they will have two Porsche-powered teams in TAG Heuer Porsche and Avalanche Andretti to overpower, based on current form. They have dominated Formula E so far in Season 9, with the Stuttgart manufacturer’s 99X Electric Gen3 finishing one-two in every race so far.

    Andretti’s Jake Dennis set the benchmark in Mexico City with the first win of the new GEN3 era, with Pascal Wehrlein following him home. The two fought hard in Rounds 2 and 3 in Diriyah, the last time out, but the German got the better of Dennis in both races to take the top prize and a dominant win-double in Saudi Arabia and the standings lead, while Porsche still narrowly trail customer Andretti in the Teams table by two points.

    Jake Hughes (NEOM McLaren Formula E Team) sealed a maiden Julius Baer Pole Position last time out. The rookie has scored in all three rounds so far this season and has the best qualifying record of anyone on the grid. He couldn’t quite convert to silverware in the race but experienced teammate René Rast needed no second invitation to seal the team’s first podium in Formula E in Round 3.

    Jaguar TCS Racing also attracted attention in Diriyah, with a resurgent Sam Bird returning to the podium after an uncharecteristically barren spell for the veteran of more than 100 Formula E races. No driver has won more than the Briton in Asia either, with Bird’s four the benchmark – two in Diriyah, one in Putrajaya, Malaysia and another in Hong Kong.

    Before the season, some expected overtaking to be tough in the new GEN3 race car, with braking zones shortened thanks to the significant regen boost of the new car’s double powertrain. That theory was blown away in Diriyah with some 36 moves outside of ATTACK MODE position changes completed over two races.

    Round 2 winner Wehrlein steered from ninth to the top step of the podium and Dennis followed with his own drive through the pack from 11th to second. On just three occasions has a driver won from further down the grid than Wehrlein managed and it was the first time consecutive Formula E races had been won from outside the top four since Zurich and New York City back in Season 4.

    WHEN TO WATCH

    Free Practice 1 for the 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix Round 4 gets underway at 16:30 IST (11:00 GMT) on Friday 10 February.

    Free Practice 2 follows at 08:10 IST on Saturday 11 February with qualifying from 10:40 IST. Round 4 of Season 9 gets underway from 15:00 local (09:30 GMT).

    FOLLOW LIVE!

    Follow the action on-track as it happens in the brand new Race Centre. Keep across Live Timing – which includes a real-time interactive track map and the ability to follow drivers during every session of every E-Prix – plus highlights, detailed session reports, exclusive interviews, all the standings and results as well as data, insight and reaction from trackside.

    WHERE TO WATCH

    Find out how to follow the action live in every country by visiting: fiaformulae.com/en/ways-to-watch

    INDIA: Star Sports Select 2 & Disney+ Hotstar will show all of the competitive action live from the 2023 Greenko Hyderabad ePrix, with Disney + HotStar the destination for all the Formula E action across the weekend.

    EUROPE

    GERMANY: the race will be live on Formula E’s home, ProSieben. Fans will also be able to catch free practice sessions and qualifying live on Ran.de.

    UK: watch the race action live Channel 4 and catch up on all the racing via All4. Viewers will also be able to watch all sessions live on Channel 4 Sport YouTube. Eurosport 2 will also be covering both qualifying and race live, whilst Eurosport.com will also bring UK based fans dedicated coverage from all sessions.

    FRANCE: fans can catch race action on La Chaine L’Equipe. Eurosport 2 will show the race live whilst Eurosport.com will be showing all sessions live.

    ITALY: the race will be live on Mediaset’s Channel 20, with all sessions available live on SportMediaset.it Sky Sports will also show race sessions live across Sky Sports platforms, with dedicated news coverage across the weekend.

    NETHERLANDS: watch on Ziggo Sport and Ziggo Sport Select. Eurosport 2 will also be providing live coverage across the weekend on linear and digital channels. 

    REST OF EUROPE

    Across the remainder of Europe (excl. Italy), all sessions will be live across Eurosport’s linear and digital platforms. Eurosport will provide bespoke, live coverage of the opening race on Eurosport 2, whilst all sessions will be live on Discovery + / Eurosport.com and Eurosport Extra. These paltforms will also provide a one-stop destination for all Formula E fans’ catch-up needs.

    AMERICAS

    USA: watch the race live on CBS Sports Network. All sessions will be live on CBSSports.com and CBS Sports HQ.

    CANADA: TVA Sports and TSN 5 will show all the race action from Hyderabad in French and English respectively.

    MEXICO: complete coverage is on Fox Sports 3, Claro Sports, and Azteca Deportes, with Claro Sports providing further coverage across Latin America.

    AFRICA

    SOUTH AFRICA: catch all of the live action from qualifying and race sessions on SuperSport Motorsport.

    MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

    Qualifying and race will be live on Saudi Sport Company’s (SSC) linear channel SSC 2 as well as their digital platform shahid.net.

    Across the Middle East and North Africa, Dubai Sports will be showcasing qualifying and race.

    ASIA

    CHINA: Formula E’s digital partnerships continue with HUYA, BiliBili, Weibo, Kuaishou and Douyin covering all sessions live, with live race action on Guangdong Sports linear channel.

    SOUTH EAST ASIA: SpoTV will be providing full coverage of practice, qualifying and the race.

    JAPAN: Viewers will be able to catch all the action from qualifying and the race s on J-Sports 3, with BS Fuji providing dedicated highlights coverage.

    INDONESIA: Catch the race live on iNews, with dedicated coverage across MNC platforms.

    AUSTRALIA: Formula E continues the broadcast partnership with Stan Sports, who will bring live coverage of all sessions on the Stan Sports platform. 9GO will wrap up the weekend with highlights for fans in Australia.

    NEW ZEALAND: catch all of the action, live on Sky Sports 5.

  • Leading Indian energy company Greenko sponsors Hyderabad E-Prix: Formula E

    Leading Indian energy company Greenko sponsors Hyderabad E-Prix: Formula E

    • First-ever ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race in India will be sponsored by Greenko, one of the world’s leading energy transition and decarbonisation solutions companies
    • 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix takes place on Saturday 11 February and features the all-new GEN3 – the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built
    • 22 drivers from 11 teams including Mahindra Racing, Jaguar TCS Racing, TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team and Maserati MSG Racing will be competing on the 2.83km street circuit in Hyderabad

    HYDERABAD, 9 Feb 2023 – Formula E and Ace Nxt Gen, the promoter of the first ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race in India, today announced that Greenko will be the title partner of the 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix. Greenko was announced as Title Sponsor on Jan 27.

    Greenko Group was founded in 2006 and is one of the world’s leading energy transition and decarbonisation company. As an industry leader the company is building, owning and operating high-quality renewable energy assets replacing fossil fuels with integrated decarbonised energy.

    As the title partner of the historic first FIA-sanctioned electric world championship motorsport race in India, Greenko is leading the way towards a decarbonised and sustainable future. Greenko’s core values align with the mission of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship of accelerating towards a clean energy future.

    Greenko will fully power the event with renewable energy, in line with Formula E’s net zero carbon strategy and RE100 commitment to achieve 100% renewable energy for the championship.

    Fans attending the 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix will see home favourites Mahindra Racing and Jaguar TCS Racing compete against two iconic motorsport names – NEOM McLaren Formula E and Maserati MSG Racing – who join the Formula E grid for the first time from this season.

    The 11 teams and 22 drivers will be competing in the all-new GEN3 race car. The GEN3 is a huge leap in technological development and innovation with engineers at the FIA and Formula E pushing the boundaries of EV development.

    Capable of a 200mph (322kph) top speed, the GEN3 is 53kg lighter than the GEN2 with a smaller chassis optimised for street racing. An additional front powertrain adds 250kW to the 350kW at the rear, more than doubling the regenerative capacity of the previous GEN2 car to 600kW, with more than 40% of the energy used in-race regenerated under braking.

    Anil Chalamalasetty, Founder of Greenko Group and Ace Group, said:

    “We are delighted to be partnering with an iconic race, India’s first ever Formula E World Championship in association with the Govt of Telangana and FIA, with support from the Govt of India. We are committed to combat climate change and lead the way for global decarbonisation. Greenko will be powering the entire 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix event with renewable energy, making it first of its kind Net Zero event in the world on this scale. I am excited that one of the world’s greenest cities will host the greenest race, under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Minister K T Rama Rao. We look forward to witness history in the making, as India drives towards a sustainable future on 11 February 2023 on the streets of Hyderabad.”

    Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer, Formula E, said:

    “We welcome Greenko as sponsor of this historic first Formula E race in India. The 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix promises to be a milestone event for motorsport fans across India, and for fans tuning in around the world. Greenko will have a global platform to showcase their sustainability credentials as Hyderabad joins iconic world cities such as London, Berlin, Diriyah, Mexico City, Rome and Monaco in hosting the pinnacle of electric motor racing.”     

  • Hyderabad ePrix: Safe Extrication in Electric Racing – How ‘Red Car’ exercises protect

    Hyderabad ePrix: Safe Extrication in Electric Racing – How ‘Red Car’ exercises protect

    Hyderabad, 7 Feb 2023: A feature in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship since its inception, ‘red car’ extrication exercises serve to keep drivers, medical and rescue teams safe from harm and ready to face electric hazards.

    Widely renowned for its ground-breaking electric technology, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship operates at the cutting edge in more ways than one, with driver extrication another area in which the pioneering single-seater series sets the pace both on and off-track, an FIA release received here said.

    Safety is high on the agenda throughout international motor sport for the FIA, and being prepared for any eventuality is paramount to ensuring events run as safely and smoothly as possible. In Formula E, a key part of that equation are so-called ‘red car’ exercises, which concern the extrication of drivers from stricken electric cars and the recovery of the car itself.

    Overseen by the championship’s FIA Medical Delegate, Bruno Franceschini, in partnership with the FIA E-Safety Delegate, Konrad Essen, a permanent medical extrication team from MDD Motorsport Medical travels to every E-Prix. To encourage peak performance, red car simulations are conducted on-site in the immediate build-up to each race weekend, and have been since the championship was launched back in 2014 – making Formula E the benchmark for all other electric or hybrid series, as it continues to pioneer procedures that are then routinely rolled out elsewhere.

    Electric Extrication marshals at work. File photo by FIA

    A ‘red car’ is essentially a car stopped on-track as a result of either an accident or electrical issue, rendering it potentially unsafe – or ‘red’ like the safety lights located on the chassis in front of the halo. Due to the voltage running through electric vehicles, certain steps must be followed in order to carefully and safely extract the driver from the cockpit and recover the car.

    During these training exercises, FIA Formula E safety car driver, Bruno Correia, plays the role of the driver needing to be extricated. Wearing special protective gloves, the medical extrication team covers the car with non-conductive tarpaulins before beginning the operation.

    These regular simulations ensure the procedure remains fresh and clear in the mind of every member of the team, while taking into account any relevant particularities or updates to each circuit.

    Additional extrication exercises are carried out with two championship drivers at every event, to make sure they similarly are fully aware of what will happen and what they must do should they find themselves in such a situation.

    In both instances, the local medical and rescue teams are also involved in the ‘dress rehearsal’, enabling their members to practise and develop their own competencies, which may prove beneficial at future national and regional race meetings.

    “Special care is always required when extracting a driver from a stranded race car, and that is even more the case when the car in question is electric, with the additional factors that need to be considered,” explains Bruno Franceschini. “We are proud of Formula E’s status as the standard-setter in this domain, but can never rest on our laurels and must continuously train and re-train to ensure skills stay sharp.

    “In the same way, these red car exercises enable us to educate and enhance the expertise of local medical and rescue personnel in the locations the championship visits, leaving behind a positive legacy for the overall benefit of our sport”.

  • Hyderabad races to be livecast thru new facility: ABB FIA Formula E

    Hyderabad races to be livecast thru new facility: ABB FIA Formula E

    LONDON, UK. Tues. 7 Feb. 2023 – Formula E is pioneering a new broadcast production facility in London that delivers state-of-the-art coverage of its live motor racing action from around the world while reducing the environmental impact typical of major live international sports events on TV.

    Now in its ninth season, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will race in Hyderabad this Saturday, the first time the series has visited India. The race will air live in the UK on Channel 4 and Eurosport from 9am GMT.

    Beginning this season, the live international race feed distributed to more than 40 broadcasters and airing in more than 150 countries will be produced remotely from The Production Centre in London, a new state-of-the-art production facility developed by Gravity Media and located at the same address as the former BBC Television Centre in White City.

    The innovative production setup allows for the seamless remote integration of replay, audio and graphics into the live programme output, as well as a resilient disaster recovery system to ensure the broadcast feed remains uninterrupted in the event of technical difficulties.

    A new multi-year partnership with Gravity Media, the leading media and broadcast company, alongside Formula E’s existing editorial partner, Aurora Media Worldwide, means the live broadcast feed of Formula E’s international races will be produced at Gravity Media’s Production Centre in London instead of a temporary broadcast facility installed at each race location.

    Formula E is unique in world motorsport for racing on street circuits created on public roads in the heart of world cities to encourage the adoption of EV vehicles. Hyderabad will be the 27th world city to host a Formula E race, the 104th in the history of the series.

    This year, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will race in 11 world cities, more than any other season. Cape Town, São Paulo, Berlin, Monaco, Jakarta, Portland, Rome and London will follow Hyderabad while Mexico City and Diriyah in Saudi Arabia hosted the opening races of the season last month. 

    Live broadcast coverage of an international sports event is typically an environmentally-intensive process with staff and equipment travelling by air. Centralising the majority of live editing and production at the 50,000 sq.ft facility in London significantly reduces the impact of staff travel and shipping of heavy production equipment.

    Formula E has developed an on-board camera system installed on each race car with a live team radio feed that is considered the best-in-class in the motorsport industry. More than 200 cameras cover each race from every angle giving viewers an immersive, informative, action-driven experience. 

    Aarti Dabas, Chief Media Officer, Formula E, said:

    “At Formula E, as the world’s first net zero carbon sport since inception, we are constantly challenging ourselves to show how delivering world-class sports entertainment and maintaining industry-leading sustainable practices can co-exist without compromise. Our technology and broadcast teams have worked closely with Gravity Media and Aurora Media Worldwide to help us achieve this. The London-based facility and new approach to presenting Formula E coverage helps us stay true to our vision of accelerating human progress and encouraging the adoption of EV transportation while entertaining millions of viewers around the world.”  

    Ed Tischler, EMEA Managing Director, Gravity Media, said:

    “We are thrilled to be working with Formula E as the first partner to use our brand new, next-generation Gravity Media Production Centre in White City. By taking the bold, innovative step of relocating TV production from a temporary facility in a remote world city to London, we are changing the game for how major global sports events are covered on television. Our new Production Centre located in the heart of White City in The Westworks building will house a growing team of creative and innovative media specialists and we hope to encourage more major sports to adopt a similar approach for TV coverage of their live events.”

    Eleven teams and 22 drivers compete in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Two iconic names in world motorsport – McLaren and Maserati – line up on the Formula E grid for the first time this season.

    As well as the innovative approach to broadcast production for TV viewers around the world, this season also saw Formula E and the FIA introduce the fastest, lightest, most powerful, and efficient electric race car ever built – the GEN3.

    Capable of a 200mph (322kph) top speed, the GEN3 is 53kg lighter than the previous Gen2 model with a smaller chassis optimised for street racing. An additional front powertrain adds 250kW to the 350kW at the rear, more than doubling the regenerative capacity of the previous car to 600kW, with more than 40% of the energy used in-race regenerated from braking.

    The carbon footprint of the GEN3 has been measured from the design phase to inform all reduction measures taken to reduce environmental impact, while all unavoidable emissions are offset as part of Formula E’s net zero carbon commitment. The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the first and only sport in the world to be certified net zero carbon since inception.

    Linen and recycled carbon fibre are being used in GEN3 bodywork construction for the first time in a formula car, featuring recycled carbon fibre from retired Gen2 cars and reducing the overall amount of virgin carbon fibre used. This reduces the carbon footprint of the production of the GEN3 bodywork more than 10%. All waste carbon fibre will be reused for new applications through adoption of an innovative process from the aviation industry.