Vergne, Bird call on FIA to move Rome start-line after FE crash
Jean-Eric Vergne and Sam Bird have called on Formula E and the FIA to move the start line of the Rome E-Prix “karting track” to eliminate “unnecessary” and “inevitable” crashes.
Vergne and Jake Dennis emerged uninjured from a large shunt after the end of the opening free practice session caused when Oliver Turvey rounded Turn 6 and hit their stationary cars as they waited to make a practice start.
Turvey had six penalty points added to his race licence and missed the race due to a full car rebuild, but race winner Vergne and second-placed Bird have called for changes to the layout ahead of the Sunday round, with the two-time FE champion calling a crash “inevitable” due to the width of the track.
Vergne said: “Sometimes the start is not in the in the right position.
“We knew from the beginning that there was going to be a crash. I know that tomorrow there will be a crash as well if we don't start under the safety car, it's inevitable.
“You have 24 cars in the corner that is not even six metres or seven metres wide. It's the same as a karting track.
“You cannot ask us to be racing and to look clean for the fans because that's impossible in this corner.”
Bird reckoned the race start, which takes place halfway around the 15-corner circuit on the run to Turn 7, should be relocated to the end of the lap.
The points leader said: “We know at the end of free practice that there is always the possibility that people are going to want to do practice starts.
“That area is given to those people and normally everybody takes it up. I'm really unsure on what happened today.
Sam Bird, Jaguar Racing, Jaguar I-Type 5
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“If I were to change anything, I'd actually change where the race start is held.
“I'd hold the race start between Turn 14 and Turn 15. That's my opinion. It gives us a much better opportunity of getting through a corner.
“The Turn 7 area for the race start, it's too easy for people to get together and have an unnecessary accident.
“It's on a blind, fast high-speed corner. It's a bit strange.”
Lucas di Grassi supported his fellow drivers, telling Autosport there “are probably two or three points which are much better to have startline”.
But reigning champion Antonio Felix da Costa reckoned Bird and Vergne’s comments would pass without changes coming in.
“That'll never happen,” he said.
“They can comment on it however they want. It is decided. We are all professional.”
An FIA spokesperson told Autosport: “This morning was a driver’s mistake.
“Apart from waving yellow flags to remind them again [of the practice start procedure] there won’t be any change tomorrow.”
Rome E-Prix: Vergne capitalises on Di Grassi woe for victory
Manhole cover to blame for Vandoorne's Rome E-Prix crash
How Formula E's double-duty drivers influenced their Le Mans teams' fortunes
Eight Formula E drivers made the 7,000-mile sprint from the streets of Jakarta to the fabled Circuit de la Sarthe and every one had a story to share at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours. Despite a range of triumphs and disappointments, each driver doubling up on the day job played a key role in their teams' fortunes
How Evans kept cool in Jakarta heat to renew his Formula E title push
Jean-Eric Vergne had comfortably taken a landmark pole for Formula E's first visit to Indonesia and looked set to win his first race of a highly consistent campaign. But the DS Techeetah driver couldn't answer a late attack from Jaguar's Mitch Evans, who profited from the Frenchman's change in battery management tactics to seize a third win of the campaign
Why de Vries' F1 practice debut could add a new path to his current crossroads
A Formula 2 and Formula E champion, Nyck de Vries is currently considering where his future in motorsport lies. Continuing in WEC and Formula E is possible and he's also courted glances Stateside after impressing in an IndyCar test. But ahead of his Formula 1 FP1 debut with Williams, he could have another option if he impresses...
How Jake Dennis’ struggles turned him into a Formula E front-runner
Having emerged as one of Formula E’s strongest drivers in his one-and-a-half seasons in the championship, Jake Dennis cemented his place in the series with a breakout maiden season. But it's not always been smooth sailing for the Brit
How Vandoorne recaptured Mercedes' winning feeling in Monaco
The Mercedes Formula 1 team is struggling, but its Formula E arm is in fine form at the moment and once again leads the drivers' standings courtesy of Stoffel Vandoorne. Here's how the Belgian took a well-judged Monaco victory to emerge at the head of the brewing four-way championship tussle
Will lighter, greener, faster Gen3 deliver on Formula E's many promises?
With a fighter-jet inspired design, revamped technical specifications and a new tyre supplier, Formula E's Gen3 car is set to shake up the series. But can it deliver on all of the promises that Formula E has set out to ensure that manufacturers consider the outlay on going racing in an all-electric arena worthwhile?
Why spanning different genres has lent Lotterer's career longevity
Although now well into his 24th consecutive season in racing, Andre Lotterer has no intention of winding his career down. Here he talks to Autosport about his and Porsche's continued progress in Formula E, his love for racing in Japan, and recalls his sole Formula 1 outing - and considers what's next in his lengthy career
Why Nissan's e.dams buyout signifies its Formula E victory intent
The e.dams Formula E squad is one of the most storied in the championship's short history as its original benchmark, but its successes in the Gen2 era have been fleeting by comparison. Nissan's decision to take full control ahead of Gen3 marks a statement of intent that it intends to get back to winning ways