The driving Formula E is very different from other racing series. First, we only drive on street circuits. They are much narrower than racing tracks so the drivers need total concentration. Then qualifying driving and race driving are very different. In qualifying, you go as fast as possible, just as in any other race series. In the race itself, though, you only have a limited amount of energy. Strategically, that makes it very challenging. Another difference is that there is lots of overtaking during a race because the technological level of the cars is quite similar and, unlike in Formula One, any driver could overtake another competitor. That is why there’s so much attacking driving. The circuits are much more complex than in Formula One, for example. And because there isn’t really much risk of losing aerodynamic quality when you touch other cars, the drivers do it regularly during races, mostly at corners and turns. That means plenty of great action for spectators. The tracks It’s amazing to race through the very heart of magnificent cities such as New York and Paris, Mexico City and Marrakesh. Hong Kong, for example, where this season began, is a very small urban circuit. The total distance raced is only 80 kilometers. Of course, when I’m racing, I don’t have time to appreciate my surroundings, but when I’m in the pit and I can take a closer look at the scenery, it’s quite spectacular. We can race in city centers because the cars are so quiet. Electric cars are 48 mostly designed for urban environments, so it’s the perfect technology for metropolitan races. That’s why so many cities worldwide want to promote Formula E. The rules Formula E has some special rules. There’s the FanBoost, for example, an online voting system where fans can choose to give their favorite driver extra power for the second race in the second car. That’s a great opportunity for the fans to interact with the race, even if the boost doesn’t make much difference to the outcome. It’s your performance as a driver that counts, much more
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