Is Formula E The Future Of Racing?

Whether you are a NASCAR, IndyCar, or Formula 1 fan, the consensus is that A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti are two of the best motorsports drivers to get behind the wheel. But, which motorsports series is the best? Which is the future?

Let me start by saying I’m no Formula E expert. What I am is a lover of excitement, someone who loves learning about new things, and a person who has a thing for anything that goes fast on four wheels. I enjoy the roar of an engine. I have yet to be introduced to a motorsports series I didn’t like, including the much quieter all-electric humming sound of Formula E.

It’s important for you to know, I’m a NASCAR girl, all day, every day. I’m all about cars that require petrol–that’s gasoline for my American friends. Yes, I am a “petrol head” and I am not ashamed. What I am ashamed of is that it took me three years to attend my first Formula E race.

On most days, my life revolves around fast cars. Every week, I talk NASCAR on my podcast All Turns No Brakes and every chance I get, I go to a track. So far this year, I have managed to be at most of the big races including NASCAR’s Daytona 500 and IndyCar’s Indy 500. In December, I was at the Ferrari Finali Mondiali and over the last few months, I have been behind the wheel and or on the track test-driving cars from OEM’s including Ford, Lexus, Buick, and Mazda, to name a few. The only thing I haven’t done this year is be front and center for a Formula 1 race, but the year isn’t over.

I became aware of Formula E in its inaugural season. I was too busy with NASCAR to follow the series, but I recall being curious. Fast forwarding three years later, TV Presenter Nicki Shields randomly liked a few of my photos on Instagram and through her social posts, it sparked my interest.

I am late to the party, but in a short time, I’ve been able to do a lot of Formula E firsts. I attended Formula E’s inaugural New York City ePrix where I had a chance to hang out with drivers Robin Frijns and Antònio Fèlix da Costa of the MS Amlin Andretti Racing team led by motorsport legend Michael Andretti thanks to sponsors Harman Kardon and BMW. To my surprise, shortly after attending my first Formula E race in New York City, I was invited to Montreal, Canada for the Formula E Championships. While there, I learned more about the series and how founding partner and official logistics partner, DHL, handles the logistics of moving the series from country to country. Unlike NASCAR where teams are responsible for transporting their cars from race to race, DHL transports and delivers all 40 fully electric racing cars, the lithium-ion batteries, charging stations, garage equipment and track infrastructure from one racing location to the next.

Learning about DHL and Formula E’s commitment to sustainable solutions in motorsports was intriguing. However, my fondest memory was in the garage at the Montreal track where I had a chance meeting with Lucas di Grassi, who days later became the 2017 FIA Formula E World Champion. We talked racing, his thoughts on why Formula E was the future, and of course, petrol heads.

My biggest questions about Formula E has always been, “Who are these guys? What’s their story? Why should I or anyone else care?” What I quickly discovered in talking to some of the drivers and reading their stories is, like with any other motorsports series, these drivers also have a long history of racing. Many of the driver’s hail from various race series, whether they have been drivers or test drivers in F1, or are second-generation drivers. Formula E drivers–like in NASCAR and IndyCar–are often times from families that have strong roots in motorsports. Case-in-point, current Formula E driver Nico Prost, who is the son of F1 legend, Alain Prost.

The drivers’ stories are present and waiting to be told. Compelling stories are just enough to spark interest from motorsports enthusiasts, but the biggest question is whether it is enough to grow the sport. Are electric cars the future as many would try to lead us to believe?

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No one can deny that the progressive development of technology used in electric racing cars is fascinating. Sure, one major shortcoming of the Formula E series is that the car battery doesn’t last an entire race; drivers switch cars mid-race, which is mind-boggling for us traditional motorsports enthusiasts–and the cars are slow. Formula E cars move at a relatively snail’s pace with top speeds at 140 mph when compared to F1 and IndyCar where cars hit 230 mph. NASCAR is also known to have cars racing at over 200 mph. Even with all of its differences from other motorsports series, what’s fact is that Formula E is reinventing racing, ushering in a new formula for the 21st century.

Formula E is driving into the future with Mercedes and Porsche, both announcing that they are planning to enter the series in the near future. TV ratings are steady, and the sport is attracting a young demographic often times new to the world of motorsports. We can no longer ignore the fact that natural resources are becoming scarce and creating sustainable solutions is becoming a priority. It is hard not to appreciate anything that advances us into the future as Formula E is proving to do.

As rules continue to change and drivers come and go in established motorsports series like NASCAR, Formula 1, and IndyCar, fans of motorsports are becoming more disgruntled. I think, like most diehard fans of motorsports, I will always be a “petrol head,” but there is an argument for tuning into Formula E–even if it’s just for a weekly glimpse of what the future has to offer.

Is Formula E the future of racing? I can’t answer that. What I can say is that this series is forcing us to reconsider everything we know about motorsports. It’s demanding that we take notice. Like a hit movie campaigning for an Oscar Award, Formula E is putting up a spectacular argument for consideration.

Next: Lucas di Grassi Wins Formula E Title

Do you think Formula E is the future of motorsports? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to follow Beyond the Flag on both Instagram and Twitter. Also, don’t forget to follow along with Beyond the Flag for the latest news, opinions and analysis stemming from a number of different motorsports series. You don’t want to miss any of it.