Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Formula E evaluating increased race power levels for 2015/16

Formula E is continuing to evaluate an increase to the level of power available in races in the second season of the championship

In the inaugural 2014/15 campaign, power was restricted to 150kw in 'race mode' compared to the full amount of 200kw available in practice and qualifying.

The race power level could now be increased to 170kw for the 2015/16 season, which begins in Beijing on October 17.

The change is yet to be finalised but Team Aguri, which will continue with the same powertrain as used in the first season, sampled the proposed levels in an unofficial test day at Donington Park last week.

"It's not ratified yet but we were able to run the predicted levels to see how it went," said team principal Mark Preston.

"The laps and race distance will probably be the same but we might have a higher level of power available.

"But you probably will only be able to use the peak power at certain times in the lap or maybe in particular phases of the race."

Powertrain development is opened up for the second season, with eight manufacturers having been approved to produce their own units.

Aguri will be the only team sticking with the powertrain supplied for the inaugural campaign by McLaren Electronic Systems.

Renault, Citroen's DS brand with Virgin Racing, ABT Sportsline, Andretti with a new in-house department, Mahindra, Venturi Automobiles, Motomatica and NEXTEV TCR are the eight manufacturers developing their own systems, with testing advanced in all cases.

"We have chosen to stay with the same powertrain because we couldn't see much change in the rules and we think the McLaren unit is strong and reliable," said Preston.

Ex-Formula 1 driver Pedro de la Rosa took part in the test for Aguri for his first run in a Formula E car.

Official pre-season testing begins at Donington Park on August 10, with a total of six days scheduled there during the month.

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Paris joins Formula E calendar for 2015/16 season
Next article Dragon Racing retains ex-F1 racer Jerome D'Ambrosio in Formula E

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe