Formula E: Misano E-Prix Preview
A New Track and 2 Races, Formula E Arrives to Italy
After delivering five thrilling races, Formula E now heads to Italy's Adriatic Coast and the Misano World Circuit for the first time.
Previously, all Italian races were held in Rome, but this year, Formula E has opted for a change. This marks the second doubleheader weekend of Formula E's 2024 calendar, i.e. rounds 6 and 7.
Track Layout
The Misano World Circuit initially was constructed for motorcycle racing - a regular on the MotoGP and World SBK calendar. There have been various other categories that have raced here as well including Sportscar, Endurance, FIA F3 and F4, etc.
Formula E will be using a slightly modified version of it. It will feature a clockwise layout spanning 3.381km, consisting of 14 turns, several high-speed straights, and a hairpin at turn 7. These elements are poised to deliver exhilarating race action.
5 Races, 5 different winners, 5 different teams
Formula E has till now hosted five action-packed races this season, each featuring a different winner and from a different team. This streak displays the unpredictability and intense competitiveness among the teams. One would hope that this streak will continue at Misano.
Championship Story till Now
After the Tokyo E-Prix, German driver Pascal Wehrlein leads the championship standings with 63 points, closely pursued by Nick Cassidy with 61 points, courtesy of his three-podium streak, sadly interrupted by a retirement in Brazil. Oliver Rowland secures third place with 54 points, because of his continuing three-podium streak. Hanging on Rowland's heels is Jake Dennis with 53 points, with Maximilian Günther, 48 points, completing the top five.
In the teams' championship standings, Jaguar leads with a total of 100 points, closely followed by the factory team of Porsche with a 17-point gap. Andretti occupies the third position with 70 points.
Maserati's Home Race and Jehan Daruvala need to pick up Pace
After an impressive win at Tokyo, Italian manufacturer Maserati will look forward to continuing this momentum and bringing glory to their home turf. Maximilian Günther has been consistently bringing in points and got their first victory of this season at Tokyo.
However, things haven't been smooth for the Indian rookie Jehan Daruvala at Maserati. He's yet to score a point. He must elevate his performance for the team to put up a fight in the championship. Despite the setbacks, the team has shown strong support for him, considering it's his debut season and he is only 5 races in.
"Jehan is on a steep learning curve but he’s making good progress every single weekend. His pace over one lap was strong, and without making an error in his second qualifying run, he could have been in the duels. In race conditions, I think there are still some areas where we can improve"
- Cyril Blais, Chief Engineer, Maserati MSG Racing
Rookies Gear Up for Formula E Test in Misano
Misano will serve as the venue for the official rookie test of Season 10. Each team has to field a rookie who has never participated in a Formula E race weekend. To qualify for the session, drivers must possess either a full E-License or at least a Free Practice-only E-License. Additionally, they must undergo specific training on electrical safety, familiarize themselves with the features of the fully-electric Formula E car, and demonstrate knowledge of the technical and sporting regulations of the championship. Here is the list of rookies participating in the rookie test.
Mahindra's woes persist
Until Round 4, Mahindra struggled to find the pace, and as a result, they couldn't score any points. However, in Tokyo, driver Edoardo Mortara delivered a mega lap, securing P3 in qualifying duels. Despite starting on the second row, Mortara lost three positions during the race, finishing P6 and earning Mahindra their first points of the 2024 season. Unfortunately, the joy was short-lived as Mortara was disqualified for energy usage exceeding regulations, while his teammate de Vries had to retire due to an accident in the early stages of the race. The team's lack of performance is attributed to powertrain issues, particularly energy recovery challenges during races. Despite these woes, hopes are high for a turnaround at Misano.
Schedule of Misano E-Prix Weekend
