Electrification is the future of motoring and motor sports | Digital Trends Spanish
- cars
The world of motorsports has changed dramatically in the last week, and it's due in no small part to Formula E, the electric vehicle racing series.
Mercedes-Benz announced it was leaving the popular German DTM series to join Formula E and, in an even bigger “bombshell”, Porsche said it was dropping its successful 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP1 program to focus on the electric racing series. . Porsche's decision echoes that of its corporate cousin Audi, which announced it was pulling out of the legendary Le Mans endurance race late last year.
1 of 7While automaker interest in Formula E is at an all-time high, it can't completely replace the racing series that automakers are leaving behind. Formula E definitely has its place in the world of racing, and there's no reason why electric powertrains shouldn't migrate to other series, but Formula E—itself—isn't in a position to replace it. Completely the likes of Le Mans.
What exactly is it about Formula E that appeals? Currently in its third season, it features open-wheel electric cars racing on temporary street circuits around the world. Formula E has undeniable appeal to automakers, and it's worth noting that its unusual format creates some genuine advantages for racing fans.
Automakers enter racing primarily to sell cars, and at a time when electric cars are growing in popularity (due to stricter emissions standards), Formula E represents a strong selling point. Porsche will launch its Mission E electric vehicle before the end of this decade. Audi and Mercedes have electric SUVs on the way. The same goes for Jaguar, which has a sporting history of its own. When the British icon returned to racing after a long hiatus, he chose Formula E, in part, to promote his new I-Pace.
It is also much cheaper to run a Formula E season than, say, a Le Mans run, let alone a Formula One season. All the teams use the same car and battery design (the engines and gearboxes are not restricted), eliminating potential higher R&D costs. Restrictions on things like tires and fewer equipment and technical staff also allow them to cut costs.
For some it may seem boring, but that is something important to consider for lovers of the nut sport. Like it or not, you can't have competition if manufacturers can't afford to compete. Given the harsh economic fallout from "Dieselgate" at parent Volkswagen, it's unclear how long Porsche could have continued its efforts at Le Mans, which was rumored to cost hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Cost concerns were also the main reason for Audi VW to withdraw from participation in 2017.
Formula E is a more than worthy motorsport competition. A few weeks ago, 20,000 people watched a Formula E race, called an "ePrix," in New York City. No other series could have made that happen. Only Formula E's electric cars are quiet enough to operate in city centres, and the use of temporary, 'close-in' circuits attracts larger numbers of spectators.
The races are also exciting if the drivers are good and aggressive and go all out to win the races. Yes, the lack of noise makes everything a little different, and it's a bit hard to get used to. But it's nice not to have to wear earplugs, and to be able to have a conversation with the person next to you as the cars go by. You have to see the positive side of things.
Formula E has a lot of potential, but it would be a shame if it took all the carmakers from the other series. Even though the drivers put on a good show in New York, speeds were noticeably slower than other races, partly because Formula E cars weigh more than traditional race cars, and partly because city circuits aren't designed for higher speeds.
The way Formula E achieves the virtues of low cost and fan accessibility could also undermine its appeal. It's great that teams don't have to spend tons of money developing their cars to be competitive, but what's the point of having so many manufacturers involved if they're all racing—after all—with the same car?
Just as automakers are embracing electric power for their road cars, it makes sense for them to embrace electric racing. However, it is important to distinguish between the technology and the racing series that generates it. Formula E has been a great start to the future of electric racing, but right now it's far from the equivalent of Le Mans or Formula One. That doesn't mean the series (or electric racing in general) can't come to be something spectacular and exciting. They can, and possibly will, become so: but it will take time.
Porsche and Audi created great teams of drivers, engineers and mechanics to design and build winning race cars, so they could finally succeed at Le Mans. Formula E will not provide the same technical challenge, nor the same level of prestige. It's important to promote Formula E as the (most) likely future of motorsports, but automakers shouldn't turn their backs on their past so quickly.
Publisher Recommendations
Meteor Watch Observatory Adds New Telescopes
The 41 best series on Disney Plus (February 2022)
The 75 best series on HBO and HBO Max (February 2022)
The 65 best series on Amazon Prime Video (February 2022)
The 64 best series on Netflix (February 2022)
The 56 Best Movies on Disney Plus (February 2022)
The 71 Best Movies on HBO and HBO Max (February 2022)
The 52 Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video (February 2022)
Top 55 Movies on Netflix (February 2022)
Nissan offers a sneak peek at its Super Bowl trailer
The New York Times buys the video game Wordle
How to watch the Concacaf qualifiers for Qatar 2022
South American qualifiers for Qatar 2022: how and where to follow them
Enhance your lifestyle Product review, technology news, tools to navigate the digital world.
Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you purchase through links on our sites.©2022 Digital Trends Media Group, a Designtechnica company. All rights reserved.
