Saturday’s Sao Paulo E-Prix will feature a tabloid-style race format that Formula E drivers believe will be filled with potential accidents. Qualifying will have little significance in terms of gaining an advantage from pole position, as the drivers at the front of the grid will try to avoid being the first car into the first corner and the opening laps of the race. This type of racing, known as ‘Peloton-style’, was most extreme at the Portland race last June, where the grid ran four-a-breast on the parkland venue. However, the Sao Paulo circuit does not provide the same luxury, as it is surrounded by walls and barriers, raising concerns about accidents. Additionally, the reduced usable energy for this year’s event will require extreme energy saving, especially in the first half of the race. With limited run-off areas, drivers are cautious of a race that could result in multiple suspensions.
Several Formula E drivers have expressed their concerns about the dangerous nature of the race format. Jean-Eric Vergne described it as “messy racing” and expressed his dislike for it. He believes that it becomes more normal once the teams feel comfortable leading the race. However, before that point, it can be a joke, as seen in the Portland race. Sebastien Buemi also shared his perspective, stating that starting at the front does not bring much advantage in this race. He mentioned awkward situations where drivers want to lose position, others want to stay in the slipstream, and some are desperate to move up the order. These situations can lead to misunderstandings and potentially cause big accidents. Buemi cited an example from the Portland race where he had a lot of energy and was much faster on the straight, but if a driver moves out of the way unexpectedly, it creates unnecessary situations.
Robin Frijns compared the race to a bicycle race, where if one person falls, it can cause a chain reaction and everyone crashes. He believes that the long straights and slow corners in Sao Paulo will cause the drivers to bunch up together, increasing the risk of accidents. Florian Modlinger, the Director of Porsche factory motorsport Formula E, emphasized the importance of having trustworthy drivers around you in these types of races. He drew a parallel with cycling and how the behavior in the peloton can dictate the race pace. He also mentioned that having friends on the grid is crucial, as you cannot succeed alone.
The Formula E paddock is prepared for the change in racing style after the flat-out races in Mexico City and Riyadh. While there may be a risk of contradictory opinions from drivers, there is a sense that there is little middle ground explored in the Gen3 races. The closest to a balanced race was Monaco last year, where circuit characteristics, grip levels, and usable energy contributed to a well-balanced race. Sao Paulo 2023 may not be as extreme as the Portland E-Prix, but with the reduction in usable energy this season and the knowledge gained from teams and drivers, an exciting race is expected if it remains clean.
Jaguar TCS Racing team principal James Barclay believes that the race format will be extremely tight and will require cool heads and strategic decision-making. He emphasizes the importance of qualifying and track position in determining the outcome of the race. Ultimately, the balance of racing styles remains uncertain, but Barclay believes that it will bring many competitors into the mix and highlight the importance of strategy.