Munich. The MS Amlin Andretti Formula E team, supported by
BMW, will head for a European race for the first time in season
three of the all-electric racing series, as they take on the Monaco
ePrix. The two ATEC-002 chassis will be raced by BMW works driver
António Félix da Costa (POR) and Robin Frijns (NED). Monte Carlo
(MON) features on the series’ calendar for the first time since
season one.
The Challenge
The priority for the team will be a return to the points-paying
positions. After a great start in Hong Kong (HKG), where both drivers
scored points, results have been less positive. Last time out, at the
Mexico City ePrix, both drivers ran strongly, but mechanical issues
and pitstop infringements meant the team left empty-handed. Monaco
presents an opportunity to reverse the trend. The city’s streets are
bumpy, narrow and unforgiving – even more so than the other street
circuits on Formula E’s calendar. The track layout is a shorter, more
action-packed version of that seen in the Formula 1 Grand Prix, with
little rest for the drivers as they are on the attack almost constantly.
The Team
MS Amlin Andretti will race the ATEC-002 in Season 3, with Félix da
Costa and Frijns in its two entries – Frijns in number 27 and Felix da
Costa in number 28. BMW will provide expertise and support to the
American team as it runs its own powertrain for the first time in
Season 3, having run the standard Formula E technology in the first
two seasons. Fans can vote to give their favourite driver a ‘FanBoost’
– an extra energy allocation, available in the second half of the race
– online. The three drivers with the most votes receive an extra 100KJ
of energy, which can boost power by up to 30KW. There are two methods:
voting on fanboost.fiaformulae.com, or by using the hashtag #FanBoost,
plus #AntonioFelixdaCosta or #RobinFrijns, on Twitter or Instagram.
The Expectations
António Félix da Costa, MS Amlin Andretti: “The break
between races has offered us a prime opportunity to do some homework
and improve the race car and our way of working still further. I think
we needed it, because the bad luck we have suffered recently has been
really frustrating. Monaco is a very small track; all the lap times
will be really close, and that makes qualifying crucial.
Realistically, we know that isn’t our strong point, but with a good,
clean lap we can make a big difference in the race, because overtaking
isn’t easy here. That said, Monaco is a really cool place to race at.”
Robin Frijns, MS Amlin Andretti: “This will be the
first time for me in Monaco with Formula E, but I’ve driven World
Series and GP2 on this track so it’s not new for me. During the last
round in Mexico City we showed some great pace, which is very
encouraging. The team is working hard every day to be back in the
points. We’ve had some bad luck the past few races, so we are going to
look to turn that around this weekend in Monaco.”
The City
Monaco is a principality on the south coast of France, on the
Mediterranean. A total of 38,400 people live in an area of 2
km2, which makes Monaco the state with the second-highest
population density in the world. The city state is known as the
playground of the rich and famous. Mild temperatures are expected at
this time of year, but Monaco is also known for its unpredictable
rainfall. Some of the most spectacular racing moments were the result
of adverse weather conditions. The official language is French, but
Italian and English, as well as the Romanesque dialect Monegasque, are
often heard.
The Circuit
The Monaco street circuit is undeniably the most famous in the world
– even those unacquainted with motorsport are likely to connect the
tiny principality with grand prix motor racing. The Formula E layout
retains much of the circuit used by the Formula 1 Grand Prix, but is
shortened to provide a greater action-packed experience for
spectators. Classic elements of the circuit, including the harbour
side atmosphere, are retained; the circuit features the fast, sweeping
right kink of the start-finish, as well as the famous St Devote. The
cars take a right immediately after the first turn, heading into a
tight hairpin and returning to the traditional layout just after the
Tunnel. The famous swimming pool and fearsome, fast Rascasse chicane
are retained; this ensures none of the Monaco character is lost. Its
history, as well as its challenging nature, make it an obvious
favourite on the calendar.
The BMW i Vehicle Fleet
For Season 3, BMW i remains the “Official Vehicle Partner” for the
FIA Formula E Championship. The BMW i8 (fuel consumption combined: 2.1
l/100 km / 134.5 mpg imp; CO2 emissions combined: 49 g/km) will
continue as the high-performance, efficient Safety Car in Formula E.
The same goes for the BMW i3 (energy consumption combined: 12.9 kWh;
CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km), which is the “Medical Car” and “Race
Director Car” and for the BMW X5 xDrive40e (fuel consumption combined:
3.4–3.3 l/100 km / 83.1–85.6 mpg imp; CO2 emissions combined: 78–77
g/km; figures based on the EU test cycle, may vary depending on the
tyre format specified), which functions as the “Rescue Car” or
“Extrication Car”.