The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will make its first appearance on the full Circuit de Monaco track in the Principality on Saturday, showing the progress of electric mobility in Formula E.
The Envision Virgin Racing team, led by managing director Sylvain Filippi, follows the progress of electric technology and battery development closely, having been in the series since the very first race in Beijing, China.
“I’ve always said, ‘don’t judge Formula E on where it started, judge it on its rate of progression’. There is no better proof of how far electric vehicle technology has progressed than now being able to race on the full Monaco circuit” elaborated Filippi.
From Season one to Season four of Formula E, the drivers had two cars to drive during the weekend as the car would run out of battery halfway through the race. In Season five, with the introduction of the Gen2 car, it was powerful enough to run forty-five minutes plus one lap.
The drivers are excited for the weekend as well: both Robin Frijns and Nick Cassidy emphasize the need for a good qualifying result.
“I think if we can qualify well then we have the pace to deliver a strong result and keep the momentum up at the front” said Frijns, who will partake in the first group of Qualifying on Saturday, as he is tied for third place in the championship alongside his old teammate Sam Bird (Jaguar Racing).
Frijns has competed on the Monaco track before, in the GP2 series (now Formula 2), the Formula Renault 3.5 Series and in previous seasons of Formula E.
This will be Cassidy’s first appearance on the Monaco track however, as he has never competed in Monaco previously but that did not seem to deter him: “For sure, it’s going to be a great experience entering the tunnel for the first time!”.
The Envision Virgin Racing team will look forward to securing good points in this weekend’s race to keep pushing their title bid, as they are currently third behind Jaguar Racing and Mercedes EQ Formula E team.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Monaco E-Prix will take place on Saturday 8 May 2021 at 16:00 CET (15:00 BST).
