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
Antonio Felix Da Costa, DS Techeetah, DS E-Tense FE21, Nyck de Vries, Mercedes-Benz EQ, EQ Silver Arrow 02
Autosport Plus
Special feature

How Valencia E-Prix farce left Formula E with an image problem

Formula E was under the microscope at Valencia, on its first visit to a permanent circuit. But after a mere nine drivers were left classified following Saturday's Valencia E-Prix, the electric championship once more faced criticism after rising energy deductions and miscalculations produced a farcical affair

Countdown dictionary corner resident Susie Dent has an entertaining habit of capturing the mood of the moment when she tweets her ‘Word of the Day’. Amid news of the short-lived plans for the breakaway European Super League, her pick was “ingordigiousness: extreme greed; an insatiable desire for wealth at any cost”. Lexicographer Dent didn’t make reference to the final lap of the Valencia E-Prix on Saturday, but she didn’t have to. For the word many were tying to the inaugural Formula E race in Spain could be derived from “farce”. It wasn’t a good look for the series in its first season under FIA World Championship status.

Holes have been exposed in the FIA regulations every time the electric paddock has met in 2021. The campaign kicked off in Saudi Arabia with a clutch of blameless drivers having their qualifying lap times deleted by a yellow flag incident up the road, only to start the race from grid slots behind the guilty party. In Rome, there were lobbying efforts to move the position of the staggered start line away from the exit of a blind bend after Oliver Turvey rounded said unsighted corner and clattered into stationary cars awaiting a practice launch. Events at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo will take some beating. Just nine of the 24 drivers were classified after the final of five safety car periods led to one last slash in energy usage limits.

Previous article Buemi: Valencia E-Prix DNF "tough" to accept after difficult run
Next article Valencia E-Prix: BMW Andretti's Dennis storms to pole by 0.86s

More from Matt Kew

Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need “unorthodox” strategies to score points

Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need “unorthodox” strategies to score points

F1 Formula 1
Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need “unorthodox” strategies to score points Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need “unorthodox” strategies to score points
Sauber: Audi's accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term

Sauber: Audi's accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term

F1 Formula 1
Sauber: Audi's accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term Sauber: Audi's accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term
RB sets end-of-2024 date for moving to new Milton Keynes F1 facility

RB sets end-of-2024 date for moving to new Milton Keynes F1 facility

F1 Formula 1
RB sets end-of-2024 date for moving to new Milton Keynes F1 facility RB sets end-of-2024 date for moving to new Milton Keynes F1 facility
Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with 2024 F1 car

Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with 2024 F1 car

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with 2024 F1 car Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with 2024 F1 car
Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi Arabian F1 debut

Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi Arabian F1 debut

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi Arabian F1 debut Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi Arabian F1 debut
Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP

Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP

F1 Formula 1
Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP
Russell: Mercedes "getting slower" during F1 rounds instead of rivals improving

Russell: Mercedes "getting slower" during F1 rounds instead of rivals improving

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Russell: Mercedes "getting slower" during F1 rounds instead of rivals improving Russell: Mercedes "getting slower" during F1 rounds instead of rivals improving
The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

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