Formula E debut promises to be big in Japan
DENNIS PREDICTS INAUGURAL E-PRIX WILL BE ‘FUN’
FORMULA E world champion Jake Dennis has promised the inaugural Tokyo E-Prix this weekend will be “fun to watch on TV”.
The sport makes its debut in the Japanese capital on Saturday, with an 18-turn, 2.582km street circuit surrounding Tokyo International Exhibition Centre.
The track includes three long straights, technical sequences of tight corners, and high-speed combinations set against the stunning Tokyo Bay backdrop.
“I can’t wait, to be honest, it’s going to be an incredible circuit,” said British Andretti driver Dennis.
Speaking on the Added Lap show, former Bosworth Academy and Loughborough College student Dennis, 28, said: “I have driven it (the track) on the simulator and it’s tight, twisty and bumpy.
“It will be fun to watch on TV, but I don’t know about the drivers’ spines!
“It is going to be challenging with the really fast tight corners. It’s a little bit like Rome really!”
Just over a week ago, the São Paulo
E-Prix delivered some of the most exciting racing the world championship has seen.
The Anhembi Sambadrome circuit saw more than 200 overtakes, a last-lap lunge from Sam Bird to secure NEOM McLaren’s first ever win and a nail-biting battle for the final podium spot, culminating in a sprint to the finish with three drivers crossing the line just 0.3 seconds apart.
As the Formula E grid gears up for the streets of Tokyo, all eyes will be on Nick Cassidy, a seasoned racer with a remarkable history in Japanese motorsport including the prestigious Japanese “triple crown” from his time racing in Asia.
He will be joined by team-mate Mitch Evans who will be wanting to make both his and Jaguar TCS Racing’s 100th race in the championship one to remember.
Dennis is among four different winners in the four rounds of the
Formula E World Championship so far this season.
Nick Cassidy of Jaguar TCS Racing currently leads the pack despite his retirement in round 4 in São Paulo.
He’s followed closely by Tag Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein and team-mate Mitch Evans. Seasoned contender Jean-Éric Vergne and Dennis round off the top five.
The Tokyo E-Prix will be the 27th Formula E race to have been held in Asia, overtaking North America as the second most visited continent – and only behind Europe which has hosted 51 races.