IN THE HEADLINES
BIOMETRIC BUREAUCRACY
Formula E introduced Fia-approved biometric gloves ahead of the 2018-19 season. They relay information about the drivers’ vital signs to rescue teams so they can assess their condition in the event of a crash. But the gloves never made it to NYC after the person tasked with transporting them didn’t get a waiver to enter the United States.
TINCKNELL ON AUDI STANDBY
In title contention after a Mexico 1-2, Audi has finally hired a reserve driver for the rest of the season. IMSA Sportscar race winner Harry Tincknell, managed by team principal Allan Mcnish, has been called up and will attend the final rounds in London and Berlin after extensive simulator work during the previous Monaco and Puebla events. The plan is for Tincknell to conduct a private test to adjust to real-world driving conditions.
DALY DRIVES DEMO GEN2 CAR
Mullet-sporting Indycar racer Conor Daly drove the spare Gen2 car for a demo run on Saturday morning, which he reckoned to be a “pretty cool experience”. He spent most of the New York City event in the company of old GP3 Series rival Antonio Felix da Costa, joining the DS Techeetah driver to watch the Euro 2020 final – for which the American lent his support to England in deference to his part-time Indycar drive for Carlin.
SAFETY CONCERNS ADDRESSED
Formula E organisers addressed the safety worries after the second Puebla E-prix in which a 15-metre strip of sponsorship banner was ripped from the concrete barriers and caught in several cars’ brakes. This led to Antonio Felix da Costa’s heavy shunt. Last weekend, the Stanley knives were out to cut the polypropylene strips between each 2m block to avoid a repeat.
TEAMS WANT LONDON FIX
Ahead of hopping on flights to New York, teams had begun the initial data legwork to prepare for the London E-prix across 24-25 July. Whereas a ‘conventional’ Formula E race requires drivers to recover 30-35% energy to reach the flag, the double-header at the EXCEL Centre is looking close to a flat-out sprint contest. Drivers reckon this will either lead to a dull stalemate or a ‘crash-fest’, with no need to bank battery for a couple of laps before lunging for a pass. In Docklands, as it stands, they’ll be able to dive for position at will. Teams are lobbying the FIA to deduct some of their 52kwh energy race total to avoid either scenario.