The exciting new format that is Formula E travels to Putrajaya in Malaysia next and looks to build on the success of the Beijing ePrix last time out. Of course the race was overshadowed by the spectacular last lap crash between Nicolas Prost and Nick Heidfeld, whcih gifted victory to Lucas Di Grassi.
The new circuit has only recently been constructed, by British architect Simon Gibbons, who has nine years of experience after circuit planning for Formula One. He also had a big say regarding the London 2012 rowing and canoeing venues.
The circuit looks an interesting one, with a long start finish straight leading into a chicane for turns 1 and 2. This is followed by two sweeping right hand corners reminiscient of Monza, this then leads into a left right section followed by a curved straight. Next is another right left section, which leads into the tightest corner of the course. The thin hairpin bend then leads into a long right hand corner and onto the start finish straight.
In the last round at Beijing, Lucas Di Grassi of Team Audi Sport Abt won with Franck Montagny (Andretti Autosport) and Sam Bird (Virgin Racing) rounding off the podium. Nicolas Prost, son of four-time Formula One champ Alain, looked set for victory coming into the last lap. Former BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld was closing in and attempted a move on the final corner, only for Prost to block and hit the German, whose car was sent into the air after going over a kerb.
This incident drew the headlines to the sport, which uses electronic, same model engines. The field is a 'who's who' of Formula One, with 13 of the 20 drivers boasting some experience in the pinnacle of Motorsport. This latest venture looks a promising one, and should it take off, could potentially be another feeding round for future F1 stars, or another avenue for former Formula One stars to remain in Motorsport.
Drivers Championship
# | Driver (Natonality) | Team | Points |
1 | Lucas Di Grassi (BRA) | Audi Sport Abt | 25 |
2 | Franck Montagny (FRA) | Andretti Autosport | 18 |
3 | Sam Bird (GBR) | Virgin Racing | 15 |
4 | Charles Pic (FRA) | Andretti Autosport | 12 |
5 | Karun Chandhok (IND) | Mahindra Racing | 10 |
6 | Jerome D'Ambrosio (BEL) | Dragon Racing | 8 |
7 | Oriol Servia (ESP) | Dragon Racing | 6 |
8 | Nelson Piquet (BRA) | China Racing | 4 |
9 | Nicolas Prost (FRA) | e.dams | 3 |
10 | Stephane Sarrazin (FRA) | Venturi | 2 |
11 | Takuma Sato (JAP) | Amlin Aguri | 2 |
12 | Daniel Abt (GER) | Audi Sport Abt | 1 |
13 | Jaime Alguersuari (ESP) | Virgin Racing | |
14 | Nick Heidfeld (GER) | Venturi | |
15 | Michela Cerruti (ITA) | Trulli | |
16 | Katherine Legge (GBR) | Amlin Aguri | |
17 | Ho-Pin Tung (CHI) | China Racing | |
18 | Sebastien Buemi (SWI) | e.dams | |
19 | Jarno Trulli (ITA) | Trulli | |
20 | Bruno Senna (BRA) | Mahindra Racing |