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Formula E drivers told FanBoost use compulsory after Beijing issues

Formula E drivers must use FanBoost if they are one of the three chosen to receive the extra power, according to series boss Alejandro Agag

The FanBoost concept gives three drivers a five-second 30kW boost in power, which can be used at any time during the race.

Which three drivers receive the boost is decided by a pre-race online fan poll, conducted through the series' social media channels and website.

Despite attracting a lot of attention ahead of the first event in Beijing, the radical concept wound up having no bearing on the race.

While Lucas di Grassi, Katherine Legge and Bruno Senna won the votes, none of the three used the extra power.

According to Agag, that will not be an issue in the future, with drivers urged to make use of the extra power and make the fan's votes count.

"We are working on making the FanBoost more visible and more spectacular, and asking the drivers to please use it," he said.

"In the first race Bruno didn't use because he had a first corner problem, and Lucas didn't use it because his battery reading wasn't working properly and he didn't want to risk it. Katherine, I think, it was a bit the same.

"There was a bit of a caution element.

"We have discussed with the drivers to make sure they all use the FanBoost, because it is very important.

"Hundreds of thousands of fans vote, and they are waiting to see how it will be used.

"Trust me, this time I think they're going to use it."

Agag added that the TV broadcast crew had also been briefed on how to get the best out of the concept.

"It's never easy to broadcast the FanBoost live, because you don't know when the driver will use it," he said.

"He's never going to tell us on the radio when he's going to use it, probably.

"But we have telemetry to know when the guy is pushing the button, and of course if it's an exciting battle and the guy has FanBoost, then it is very likely he will use it, so we will try and catch that on camera."

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