#Electrifying: An interview with Jens Marquardt on the season so far and the strength of the BMW i drivetrain in Formula E.

Munich. BMW i Andretti Motorsport has contested six races in
the ABB FIA Formula E Championship – and celebrated one win and two
further podiums. António Félix da Costa (POR) is in first place in
the driver standings with 62 points to his name. The basis for this
positive interim result is the highly efficient Racing eDrive01,
which powers the two BMW iFE.18 – and impressively holds a BMW Group
pioneer role when it comes to electrification and racing.

 

Electrification, just like Autonomous Driving, Connectivity and
Services – always paired with ground-breaking design – is one of the
future areas that have been defined in the company’s Strategy NUMBER
ONE NEXT and summarised under the term D+ACES. BMW i Andretti
Motorsport is using the Geox Rome E-Prix to highlight this look to the
future and will send the two BMW iFE.18 onto the track with the
special message #Electrifying on the inside of the ‘halo’ cockpit protection.

 

In an interview, BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt talks about
the BMW i drivetrain’s key role in Formula E and looks back at the six
races of Season 5 to date.

 

Mr. Marquardt, the message #Electrifying will be visible on
the BMW iFE.18 this weekend. What is the significance of BMW Group’s
expertise in electrification for BMW i Andretti Motorsport?

 

Jens Marquardt: “Naturally, BMW Group’s experience when it comes to
electrification is of great significance for our BMW i Motorsport
project. At the start of the development process for the E drive in
Formula E we were faced with the question: do we build up our own
expertise at BMW Motorsport, or do we use the extensive BMW i
experience in this area. We soon arrived at an answer. Naturally, it
made sense to make use of the wealth of experience of our colleagues
in production. We established an efficient development cycle, without
duplicating roles unnecessarily. The experienced specialists from
production look after the electric motor hardware and the inverter,
meaning the entire high-voltage area. This includes the software that
the inverter uses to control the E motor, as well as the materials
used, such as for the rotor or stator. On the motorsport side, we
handle matters such as the low-voltage control area, for example. We
devise recuperation strategies, undertook the design and
implementation of the entire rear axle structure and developed the
cooling concept. Everything that each area can do best was intertwined
with full transparency. The technology transfer between our BMW
Motorsport engineers and BMW i colleagues works really well.”

 

How much of the production version is in the Formula E drivetrain?

 

Marquardt: “A great deal. For example, the control software for the
high-voltage area, which controls the E motor via the inverter is used
in both the BMW iFE.18 and the BMW i3. However, the transfer works in
both directions. In the extreme conditions in Formula E, we gather
findings together, which can then flow into further development – on
both sides, meaning that every BMW i customer benefits from our joint
progress in racing.”

 

Where are the BMW iFE.18’s strengths?

 

Marquardt: “With its drivetrain developed by BMW i, the BMW iFE.18
has been one of the top packages in all races. One reason for that is
the high level of energy efficiency that we achieve with the Racing
eDrive01 and that is what makes the difference in Formula E. We saw
that in Mexico, for example, when it was a close call in terms of
energy for some of our rivals towards the end of the race. We are in
an excellent position with our package in this respect. Our drivetrain
is based on that of the BMW i3, and its use in the BMW iFE.18 serves
as a ‘TechLab’ for iNEXT. Future models benefit directly from the
racing experience. This technology transfer has taken us to the top
level. We want to stay there if possible.”

 

First place in the driver standings after six races: how happy
are you with BMW i Andretti Motorsport’s maiden season in Formula E?

 

Marquardt: “Naturally, I am really pleased that with António Félix da
Costa we are the frontrunner for the driver title after six races.
This just goes to show that both our BMW iFE.18, with the BMW i
drivetrain and the newly established BMW i Andretti Motorsport team,
have been extremely competitive right from the start in our maiden
Formula E season. And António has done a great job with his win in the
very first race in Ad-Diriyah and two other podiums. No doubt Alex
will be further up the field as well in the second half of the season
and contribute some good results – he certainly has the speed.
However, looking at the driver standings, we’re talking about a
snapshot at best. The Formula E field is incredibly close; the season
will remain exciting down to the final round in New York. What is
already clear is that everyone in the team is working hard to remain
as competitive as possible.”

 

Six winners in six races: How do you explain this balance in
the field?

 

Marquardt: “It’s evident that it’s not always the overall package
with the best performance that wins in Formula E. Rather, many factors
must come together to be successful in the end. One example is
qualifying, in which the drivers take to the track in championship
standings order. This means that it is extremely difficult for a
successful driver to be consistently driving for wins because the
conditions in the early qualifying groups are often the most
difficult. Also, when you’re in the middle of the field in Formula E,
the risk of retiring increases significantly on the narrow street
circuits. António didn’t pick up any points in two races – and still
leads the championship standings. Consistency is a very important key
to success, but also very difficult to achieve.”

 

Is it ultimately the driver who takes the fewest risks that
wins in Formula E?

 

Marquardt: “It’s not quite like that, but it might be true to say
that in Formula E you need to know when and where to take risks and
when it’s better to hold back more than you do in other series. Every
point counts, literally. For example, our expectations were high for
the race in Sanya because the track and its demands suited us. Both
drivers made it into the Superpole. Yet once again we were unable to
get both drivers to the finish line and pick up maximum points for the
team standings. Alex retired yet again through no fault of his own
after a fierce duel with a rival. In Marrakesh we made things
difficult for ourselves and missed out on a lot of points. The
experiences we gained in the first races definitely made us stronger.
We keep learning with every E-Prix.”

 

How do you feel the season has been so far for your drivers?

 

Marquardt: “António Félix da Costa has deployed all of his experience
from almost 50 Formula E races fantastically. I’m really pleased for
him that he won right at the season opener and is now in first place.
As a Formula E rookie, Alexander Sims can learn a lot from him. In
terms of his pace, Alex should be much higher in the standings. In
some races he was incredibly unlucky and was in the wrong place at the
wrong time. If he gets that bit of racing luck you need, he can also
battle for the top positions; he has shown that in every race so far.
It’s important to finish in the points consistently with both cars
because we want to do well in the team standings as well.”

 

How has Formula E progressed in Season 5?

 

Marquardt: “As we’re learning from race to race, the whole
championship is constantly developing. This dynamic is unique. On the
track, elements such as FANBOOST or the new ATTACK MODE make for extra
excitement. Off track, the significance of Formula E as an
international stage for the mobility of the future is growing. In the
races, and in the E Village, we present BMW Group’s visions and
innovative strength to fans. The other manufacturers and Formula E
partners involved also emphasise features. This makes for an
exceptionally exciting platform. It is also a challenge for Formula E
to keep up with all the new developments.”

 

How will you approach the Europe season?

 

Marquardt: “The objective is clear: We want to convert the huge
potential of our BMW package into good results in as many races as
possible and pick up points with both drivers. This is a very
ambitious goal in this championship. We also want to create a strong
presence among BMW fans in Europe and show them just how sporty and
exciting electromobility is.”