E is for Electric Racing Excitement

Porsche joins Formula E with the 99X

Formula E is a single-seater championship that uses only electric cars. It was conceived in 2011, and the inaugural championship commenced in Beijing in September 2014. This series is a city-based, single-seater electric car championship which has really taken off – so much so the FIA announced that Formula E would be given world championship status for the 2020–2021 season. This is the first singleseater racing series outside of Formula One to be given world championship status. Quite obviously it is a sign of the times. Formula E is currently contested by 12 teams with two drivers, each racing electric-powered race cars similar in style to the hybrid-drive cars of Formula One. Racing generally takes place on temporary city centre street circuits of between 1.9 and 3.4 km in length. During the first four seasons, drivers were forced to make one mandatory pit stop to change cars. With the introduction of the Gen2 cars this is no longer necessary, because the battery lasts for the full race distance of 45 laps. In race mode maximum power is currently restricted to 200kW (268bhp). Porsche joined the series for the first time in 2020 with the Porsche 99X Electric race car; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the championship was suspended in March 2020 and all scheduled races were cancelled. The season was completed in August with six races at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit in Berlin, Germany using championship, Lotterer finished eighth overall on 71 points. He reached the podium on two occasions, first at the season

opener in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. three different layouts. André Lotterer was the best-placed Porsche driver in the 11th race, crossing the finishing line in 14th position. In the drivers’ CLIC K HERE TO LEARN MOR E

Teammate Neel Jani’s best result in his first full Formula E season for Porsche was 20th position overall, although he finished in sixth place at the penultimate race in Berlin.

With 79 points and eighth place in the team championship, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team has concluded a successful though badly disrupted debut season. Both drivers lamented the chance for more races during the season, with Jani saying it was the longest break from racing he has ever had.

“Today in Berlin represented the conclusion of what was, in many ways, an extraordinary season in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. We have celebrated our debut in fully electric motor racing and achieved success from the word go,” said Fritz Enzinger, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport.

“André Lotterer finished second at the season-opener to reach the podium. He followed this up with another podium finish in Berlin. We scored points with the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team in eight out of 11 events. That is an outstanding record for a newcomer to Formula E.

“We entered this championship without any experience from being a partner or customer team and worked hard together for every single achievement. I am incredibly proud of the whole team. “Porsche feels at home in Formula E. Our goal for next season is clear: winning.” • CLIC K HERE TO LEARN MOR E CLIC K HERE TO LEARN MOR E CLIC K HERE TO LEARN MOR E