NEW CARS, NEW REGULATIONS, NEW CIRCUITS AND A NEW SUPERSTAR AT ENVISION RACING, BUT THE ULTIMATE GOAL REMAINS THE SAME IN 2023
The waiting is over and the 2022–23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is finally set to kick off amidst the spectacular surroundings of Mexico City.
Fresh from a race-winning campaign in 2022, Envision Racing are ready to tackle the hotly-anticipated Gen3 era of Formula E competition with a refreshed driver lineup, and a host of new circuits to get stuck into with the teams’ dazzling green racing machine.
Last season, Nick Cassidy enjoyed a breakout year in just his second campaign of Formula E competition, bagging two pole positions and a sensational victory in New York City. There will be no return to the Big Apple in 2023, however Cassidy and Envision Racing will still do their thing on North American soil, this time on the West coast in the city of Portland.
For season 9 of the Formula E World Championship, Cassidy will be joined by a living legend of motorsport. Step forward Sébastien Buemi. The Swiss driver claimed the Formula E crown in 2015-16, and to date has 13 victories, 29 podiums and 14 pole positions. On top of this, Buemi has starred in Formula One, and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans an incredible four times. He is all set for a challenging season opener in Mexico.
“I think for the season opener, it’s a great location,” confirmed Buemi, “the main challenges in Mexico City are the altitude and the high temperatures. The altitude makes it more difficult for the tyres, and for the powertrain to perform at its best, and we will have lower downforce, so there will be less grip. I think we all know the track quite well, even though this year it’s been slightly modified, so we’ll have to adapt. Overall I think it’s a good track. I like going to Mexico.”
GEN3: ONE GIANT LEAP FOR ENVISION RACING
The 2022–23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will see some big changes to the look and performance of the cars in the shape of the Gen3 era.
In a nutshell, this season will see the debut of the radical third generation Formula E machine, and with it, the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built.
Waving goodbye to the Gen2 cars, fans and drivers will be saying hello to higher top speeds, faster acceleration, and cars will possess more than double regenerative capacity. The new front powertrain will see some 40% of energy used recovered by regenerative braking over a race distance.
Envision Racing’s Gen3 Jaguar I-Type 6 will hit 60mph (100kmh) in under three seconds, and is capable of a 200mph (320kmh) top speed, thanks to its electric motor delivering some 350kw (470bhp). That’s double the efficiency of an equivalent internal combustion engine.
“I think the best thing about Gen3 so far is the fact that the car is just a lot faster,” stated Buemi. “It accelerates faster and It’s pretty impressive to feel that difference in power. I can’t wait to see how it feels over a race weekend, but clearly I think it’s going to be a big challenge. As a racing driver you always love to drive a faster, more efficient car.”
JAGUAR POWER FOR ENVISION RACING
Envision Racing will be propelled by a seriously iconic name in the shape of Jaguar for season one of the Gen3 era.
Last year, Envision Racing inked a new multi-year customer supply relationship with Jaguar. The storied manufacturer will supply powertrain technology to the team as both Envision Racing and Jaguar look to add wins and podiums to their legacy, as well as double down on sharing common values, collaborating for a sustainable future through sport.
“The deal with Jaguar is very important for Envision Racing,” affirmed Cassidy. “I think Formula E in general is heading more in that direction where you see manufacturers collaborating with customer teams. We obviously hope that in combination with Jaguar we can do the best we have ever done in the sport.
“They have provided us with a great product, and hopefully as a working relationship between the two teams, we can push each other and achieve some superb results.”
EXCITING NEW RACE LOCATIONS
One of the coolest aspects of Formula E is that the sport can do its thing in urban areas across the globe, and this unique selling point has allowed the world’s fastest electric motorsport to access some stunning locations.
From London, to New York and from Berlin to Seoul, since 2014 Formula E has gone where more traditional motorsports can’t, delivering top tier wheel-to-wheel thrills and spills on these cities’ iconic streets. Season 9 is no exception, and this year’s calendar sees some intoxicating additions.
After the dust has settled following the season opener at Mexico City, Envision Racing will head to a familiar circuit in the form of a double-header in Saudi Arabia. From there however, it is a trio of unfamiliar tracks as Formula E heads to India and South Africa for the first time, followed by an inaugural visit to Sao Paulo in Brazil.
Following battle in Brazil, the drivers will visit some more familiar circuits, punctuated by a first ever mouth-watering trip to Portland, Oregon in North America’s stunning Pacific Northwest, scheduled for June. After that, it is a couple of double-headers in Rome and London to decide who will win the title.
“I’m really looking forward to the new circuits to be honest,” enthused Cassidy. “I think Cape Town should be an amazing place to race, as will Sao Paulo. Obviously India is a real stand out – it’s a huge country and it is great that top level motorsport is returning there, so that should be exciting. And then obviously with our regular circuits, we’ve got some standout events. There’s no reason why we can’t be strong everywhere.”
“I think Cape Town is going to be a great location,” added Buemi, “I’ve never been to South Africa so I’m looking forward to it. Also Portland and Sao Paulo are very exciting prospects. I know Sao Paulo from the F1 circuit, but I can’t wait to see the new Formula E circuit.”
DOUBLE-HEADERS A KEY TO SUCCESS?
For last year’s New York E-Prix winner Cassidy, the key to a successful season could be the five double-header race weekends.
These include relatively familiar pastures for the Kiwi, spanning the Riyadh Street Circuit in Saudi Arabia, the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit in Berlin, the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit in Indonesia, and the season ending visits to Rome and London.
Both Envision Racing’s chargers might be excited about competing at Formula E’s newest circuits, but as Cassidy states, it will be the double-header races where major points are gained in the hunt for serious success in the Drivers’ and Teams’ championships.
“I think from the existing calendar you’ve got to focus on the double headers, and it is key to be strong at these races,” said Cassidy. “To have a strong performance in a single race can in a way be unlucky, as it is better to have pace and performance over a two-race weekend so you can get maximum points. If the team can do well at Somewhere with two races, like in New York last year, it can really make a big difference this season.”
Keep up to date with Envision Racing’s fortunes in 2023 as well as race reports and exclusive video content HERE