[ad_1]
Formula E is greener, thinner and already fully electric.
"The question of the merger of Formula E with Formula 1 is very relevant," says Lucas Di Grbadi, who was the first driver to enter the electric racing series in 2014.
"I see in the long run a very low probability of allowing combustion races, especially in developed countries.
"So either F1 stays in F1, but it will have to switch to electricity, or you have to merge it with Formula E."
Global targets to reduce carbon emissions – and mitigate climate change – from fossil fuels to renewable energy are putting Formula E on the front burner.
His cars are battery powered and race on urban circuits showing how electric vehicles can help reduce air pollution in densely populated areas.
F1's hybrid cars also use clean energy – harvested under braking and the car's exhaust emissions – but continue to rely on their energy-intensive combustion engines to do most of the work .
& # 39; A changing world & # 39;
As road car manufacturers focus on the electric future, will F1 lose its relevance?
"The world is changing so fast and electric cars are growing so much," Formula E's newest rookie, Felipe Mbada, told CNN. "Many brands are launching all-electric cars, like in Formula E."
When asked when he thought the two series could merge, Mbada, a veteran of 272 grand prizes, replied, "This is not impossible."
Mahindra's runner, Jerome D'Ambrosio, agrees that a merger could be possible in the future.
"Manufacturers will have to keep up with what they produce," he says. "If in 10 or 15 years they only produce electric vehicles, I find it hard to watch them spend money for something they do not sell."
Since its inception in 2014, Formula E is a testing ground for battery-powered technology as well as for showcasing electric cars.
The season five grid is replete with major automotive brands such as Audi, BMW and Nissan. Heavyweights Mercedes and Porsche are expected to join the series next season.
For this reason, the formula E must remain relevant for road cars. F1 has always been the pinnacle of engineering: many road gadgets, such as paddlewheel and mirror, have been developed on the circuit, but the relationship of the sport with the manufacturers are more nuanced.
"F1 rubbing"
"While some of the biggest problems of F1 – the rising costs and the dominance of Mercedes – come from the manufacturers, it creates so much friction, I do not know if F1 manufacturers are a good thing."
Mercedes and Ferrari – owned by Fiat – can dominate F1, but the championship has already proven that it does not necessarily need investment in the auto industry to survive. In 2009, the sport continued its momentum despite the sudden exits of Honda, BMW and Toyota.
"I really do not think F1 would die if all the car manufacturers left," Nicholls added.
Even if the F1 suddenly wanted to switch to power – or merge with Formula E – it was not as easy as turning on a switch.
"Formula E has an exclusive agreement with the FIA for electric single-seater races [until 2038], "Nicholls explains." This is the delicate position in which F1 is located, it can not simply become electric and more relevant. "
It is interesting to note that both championships share ownership with Liberty Global, a Formula E shareholder, and that Liberty Media acquired F1's commercial rights in 2017. Both are separate entities, but both belong to the property of billionaire John C. Malone.
"In sports, you are told that Liberty Global and Liberty Media are two separate companies and that there is not a lot of crossover, but obviously if something had to be done, I'm sure it could to be, "suggests Nicholls.
Pretty impressive
The defending Formula E champion, Jean-Eric Vergne, believes that a creative merger between Formula E and Formula 1 could be the solution.
"The best thing that could happen to both championships would be to have a half season in F1 cars and the other half in FE cars," Vergne says. "Take the best F1 tracks and the best FE tracks and make a huge championship, that would be really great."
Daniel Abt, Audi driver, does not share this opinion. "No, it's not going to happen, it's two different worlds, Formula E is electric, it's road racing, and F1 is a world-clbad circuit in the best cars possible."
Nicholls also believes that the DNA of both series is so distinct that a merger would only dilute the best of each formula and alienate the fans.
"I do not see a merger between the two because it's inherently different," he told CNN.
"I comment on an F1 race and it's not a total excitement, but it's intriguing, it's the best drivers in the world, in the world's fastest cars.
"Then, next week, I'm doing Formula E and these are just crazy, 45 minute races filled with action and a fantastic treat.
He also thinks that the F1 would hesitate to give up its need for speed by plugging on the electric current.
"Formula 1 cars reach speeds of up to 230 mph and thanks to electric technology, a Formula E car is much slower," he says. "In a straight line, a Formula E car probably reaches 140 km / h, with no aerodynamics and no real support.
"If F1 went to electricity for the beginning of 2020, the technology would not be there to be faster.
"At least for the next 10 years, I do not see how F1 could consider switching to electricity because it would be slow.
"For the same reason, Formula E must stay on the urban circuits because as soon as it pbades on Silverstone [a high-speed circuit] it would be just a slow and silent F1. So, it would be like F1 but not so good. "
The investment of Mercedes in both championships points out that, for the moment, there is mileage in both series.
"For Mercedes, Formula 1 and Formula E go hand in hand," Mercedes-Benz Motorsport director Toto Wolff told CNN about the merger.
"As a company, we want to be the reference in the premium segment and explore new and innovative projects, which F1 and Formula E combinations will bring to the opening of season 6.
"The development of our Formula E challenge is based on great F1 expertise, and from Mercedes' point of view F1 and Formula E are a win-win combination."
Formula 1 has always been a question of evolution. Formula E has begun a revolution.
F1 may have to turn to electric power someday, but for now, it will leave Formula E to carry the electric charge.
[ad_2]
Source link
