Preparations for season four of the FIA Formula E Championship: MS&AD Andretti and BMW test in Valencia.

Valencia. The official pre-season test in Valencia (ESP)
heralds the crucial phase of preparations for season four of the FIA
Formula E Championship for BMW and the MSAD Andretti Team. From
Monday to Thursday, all the teams represented in Formula E assembled
at the “Circuit Ricardo Tormo”. With Wednesday being a rest day, the
teams had three days to test at the circuit.

 

For two BMW works drivers it was also about getting deeper into
Formula E: Tom Blomqvist (GBR) and Alexander Sims (GBR) were gathering
more series experience at the test. They alternated at the wheel of
the cars with BMW works driver António Félix da Costa (POR), who is
already confirmed as a regular driver for season four. The complete
driver line-up at the MSAD Andretti team will be announced at a
later date.

 

As part of the close cooperation with MSAD Andretti, BMW will
accompany the team throughout the coming season, as it continues to
prepare for a works entry in season five. The first event on the
2017/18 calendar is the Hong Kong ePrix (HKG) on 2nd
December 2017. In total, the season consists of 14 races around the
world. The finale will take place in Montréal, Canada, at the end of
July 2018.

 

Quotes from the test at Valencia.

 

Tom Blomqvist: “I am happy with the test as I learned
a lot about Formula E. It is in a way quite different to the racing
that I have experienced before, but I find it very interesting and
appealing, so I enjoyed it. The whole concept is completely different.
The cars are electric and you really have to look after the energy
management side of things, while in the racing I have been doing
before it is just flat out and you have to worry about fuel
consumption. Here, you have to take care of so many things on the
energy side to make sure you don’t deplete your energy stores. It is
all about racing as fast as possible, whilst managing the energy that
you have. This is quite an interesting philosophy and something where
the driver can have a big impact.”

 

Alexander Sims: “Formula E has several unique things
that are different to any other race series. That goes from energy
management right down to the way the tyres perform, because they are
really different to the standard slick tyres you normally have.
Initially we were just doing flat-out runs, so it was quite like in
Formula 3 or GT. The biggest challenge was when we were doing the race
runs trying to apply energy management to an ideal situation. It is a
really interesting combination when you are driving because you are
constantly thinking about how to save energy or use your energy more
efficiently. You are going through the coasting and regenerating
procedures – but then you get to the corner and you are driving
completely on the limit. Afterwards, you try to save energy again. It
is a really interesting combination and I honestly enjoy it.”

 

António Félix da Costa: “I am happy with the test. We
have been doing a lot of laps, testing many new things. We have some
new engineers in the background as well who are bringing fresh ideas.
We used the test to bring it all together and to evaluate the changes
to get in the best shape possible for the season opener in Hong Kong.
We gathered a lot of useful information that will be valuable at the
races. I am looking forward to the new season.”