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

No shakedown session ahead of inaugural Formula E race in Paris

Formula E drivers will sample the new Paris track for the first time on raceday morning because logistical reasons mean there will not be a shakedown

FE events usually include two three-lap runs at reduced power on Friday afternoon, before official practice on Saturday morning.

This is not possible for the inaugural Paris round, the track for which is based around the city's Les Invalides complex, because the final road closures are not occurring until 8.30pm Friday evening.

Renault e.dams senior manager Jean-Paul Driot told Autosport teams did not find out about the schedule issue until this week.

"That is a little bit of a problem but it's the same for everyone," he said. "Everyone has rebuilt the cars and nobody has been able to try them while they were completely rebuilt.

"If there is such a slight little thing [wrong], that can create problems in these cars.

"But we will just cross fingers everything will go right Saturday morning."

Championship leader Lucas di Grassi said the loss of shakedown would not make a big difference for the drivers, even though track time is at a minimum at FE races.

He suggested the fact the teams have been able to properly evaluate the cars at Donington was actually a positive.

"I don't think losing shakedown matters much," he told Autosport. "Before, the cars go from one track to another so you needed that day.

"Now they have been looked at in every way, it should be fine.

"Of course it takes the chance of parts not working, but in terms of track learning it doesn't change much. You only drive at 100kW.

"It would have mattered maybe if the shakedown was in the dry and Saturday practice was wet, but how can you know that?"

DRIOT: PROSPECT OF FIRST WET RACE NOT DAUNTING

Weather forecasts predict light rain until early afternoon on Saturday, with the race starting at 4pm local time.

While qualifying in Battersea Park for last season's London finale was affected by rain, the series has yet to have a wet race.

The teams were able to get some wet-weather running in during the final pre-season test at Donington Park and Driot said it was not a daunting prospect.

"We have to rely on what we know how to do when it's wet, in order to have the car adapted to the conditions," he said.

"It's the same, you adapt your car and see what the driver is able to do to improve the car.

"It's quite complicated because we only have 45 minutes, then 30 minutes, then it's qualifying.

"But the tyres are OK, because the way they are built - they are not slicks - they evacuate the water.

"I don't have any fear with the tyres."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Mahindra eyes bid for next Formula E chassis with Pininfarina link
Next article Hamilton and Vettel would have 'hard time' in Formula E - di Grassi

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