You have heard about electric formulas, which have their championship and are starting to step on the heels of the legendary F1. What are the differences between these races? And why do both worlds have a completely different philosophy? Get to know the unknown, we will introduce you to the secrets of super-fast machines.
In addition to F1, a fully electric formula began to develop rapidly. Race cars with the roaring effect of an electric motor spinning up to 40,000 revolutions per minute have not captivated everyone, but year by year the fights of super-electric cars are becoming more and more attractive.
The classic F1 race is usually run on a traditional circuit. Sharp deployment then includes 52 or more action wheels (according to the circuit, easily up to 87), a lot of noise, fuel burned, emotions and expensive tickets. In Formula E, they race for 45 minutes and then the whole event closes with one extra lap. The circuits are shorter, measuring about 2.5 kilometres, while the bike can be driven in an average of 60 to 70 seconds. Tracks are built directly in cities (eg Berlin, New York, Paris) and often lead around iconic monuments or monuments. For spectators, it is an almost free one-day or two-day spectacle - only lucrative viewpoints tend to be slightly charged. In addition, the machines used do not produce local emissions and are not too noisy.
Compared to F1, aerodynamics are not so much addressed in electric formulas, and cornering speeds are not so high either. However, electric races will offer tighter fights, where the pilot can afford to hang on the other's tail. With traditional formulas, there is a risk of losing pressure due to the air pocket created by the driver in front - without it, you will be soaped at high speeds (eg you will not turn). The safety of monoposts is then comparable. Thanks to F1, structural tweaks are created that can also be applied to ordinary cars. Formula E also plays a role in the efficiency and technology that are gradually emerging in the production of electric cars. However, we are not talking about power units or batteries - the racing ones are expensive and unsuitable for normal operation.
The principle of racing in E is completely different. It's not just about being the fastest, it's also the most efficient. Instead of petrol, the pilot has a fully charged 900-volt battery (located at the rear between the driver and the powertrain) with a capacity of 52 kWh, which must be enough for him throughout the event. External charging is prohibited during the race. Planning plays a huge role, so the recipe for success is not just hidden by holding the accelerator pedal on the floor.
The rules also limit the power of the electric motor during qualification to 250 kW (339.9 hp), and in a sharp race even to 200 kW (271.9 hp). In attack mode, which can be used/dosed for a maximum of eight minutes during the race, the power is briefly increased to 235 kW (319.5 hp). Also, the weight of the formula, including the pilot, must not be less than 903 kilograms. But we still have the so-called Fanboost… And what does fan boost mean? The five riders with the highest number of votes from the fans will get extra performance, which they can use for five seconds during the second half of each race.
The buzzing formulas reach top speeds of around 230 to 240 kilometres per hour and accelerate from zero to one hundred in less than three seconds (F1 cars can do it in about 2.5 to 2.6 seconds). In the past, even up to four-speed transmissions were used, but today monoposts have only one transmission. It was possible to improve the properties of electric motors so much that the need to shift gears was eliminated. Interestingly, we state that the highest speed of stopped electric motors reaches the limit of 40,000 revolutions per minute.
In terms of the physical and mental training of pilots, both championships are similar. A few riders even switched from F1 to Formula E, so the most important thing for them could be the strong planning/application of a strategy related to electricity consumption and recuperation.
The results in Formula 1 fundamentally affect the tires used, or their mixture, which is intended for different tracks and surfaces. In Formula E, they ride on special universal footwear (dry and wet) from Michelin, similar to conventional road tires.
While F1 cars attend pits with key regularity, the E is different. There is no reason to pit stop, at most due to the forced change of footwear (eg defect). A maximum of two sets can be consumed per plant, ie. four tires already fitted and four spare tires.
Winning (participating) in the F1 championship costs billions of crowns, in Formula E we are talking about significantly lower amounts (costs). Also for financial reasons, many major manufacturers have decided to race on electricity rather than invest in traditional motorsport.
Money, prestige, commerce - well-known words supported by advertising banners, souvenirs and expensive tickets describe F1. The second (ever-growing) world is still trying to show the power of electricity, change people's thinking about electric cars and get them closer to the race tracks to watch the buzzing formulas.
So these are two different worlds with two different goals, but the differences in values of social significance are slowly comparing. It probably won't take too long, and the Formula E championship will be given similar importance to the current Royal and F1-loved F1.