Round five fiesta for Formula E in Mexico
All-electric championship pays its third visit to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Saturday, 3 March
The fifth round of the 2017/18 ABB FIA Formula E Championship takes place in Mexico City this weekend, as the 20 contenders take to the famous Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Saturday, 3 March, for another exciting E-Prix.
The 2.092km layout was created for the arrival of Formula E in 2016, and now as the championship gears up for its third race in the Mexican capital, the event stands as a firm favourite in the calendar. This year’s race will be two laps longer than last, 47 rather than 45, underlining once again the constant advancements being made by competitors in the championship in efficiency.
With the opening punches of the season pulled, it is proving to be a season full of classic Formula E unpredictability, with three of electric racing’s young talents currently sitting atop the points table.
TECHEETAH’s Jean-Eric Vergne leads the way following victory last time out in Santiago, while Felix Rosenqvist’s two wins have netted him second place for Mahindra. DS Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird lies third ahead of two former Formula E champions in the form of Sebastien Buemi in fourth for Renault e.dams and Nelson Piquet Jr in fifth for Panasonic Jaguar Racing.
Last year’s Mexico City E-Prix was a nail-biting affair, with eventual champion Lucas di Grassi making and incredible charge through the field from 15th on the grid to take a decisive victory that many saw as a turning point in his title challenge. It was a masterclass of energy management which he will be hoping to repeat following a tough start to the season with technical issues hampering his Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler machine.
The tens of thousands of spectators expected to attend on Saturday will be treated to plenty of entertainment both on- and off-track, including an opportunity to learn more about the FIA’s #3500LIVES Action for Road Safety campaign, which will be on display in the FIA stand in the E-Village.
Event timetable:
Saturday 3 March
8:00 | 8:45 |
| NON QUALIFYING PRACTICE 1 | Track |
10:30 | 11:00 |
| NON QUALIFYING PRACTICE 2 | Track |
11:10 | 11:40 |
| VIP pitlane walk | Pitlane |
12:00 | 12:06 |
| QUALIFYING GROUP 1 | Track |
12:10 | 12:16 |
| QUALIFYING GROUP 2 | Track |
12:20 | 12:26 |
| QUALIFYING GROUP 3 | Track |
12:30 | 12:36 |
| QUALIFYING GROUP 4 | Track |
12:45 | 13:00 |
| SUPER POLE | Track |
13:45 | 14:15 |
| VIP pitlane walk | Pitlane |
13:45 | 14:00 |
| E-Race | Gaming Arena |
14:00 | 14:30 |
| Autograph session | Gaming Arena |
15:00 | 15:10 |
| Driver parade | Track |
16:04 |
|
| RACE (47 laps) | Track |
17:05 |
|
| Podium ceremony | Podium |
Championship standings:
| Drivers’ Championship | Teams’ Championship | ||
Driver | Points | Team | Points | |
1 | Jean-Eric Vergne | 71 | TECHEETAH | 89 |
2 | Felix Rosenqvist | 66 | Mahindra Racing | 87 |
3 | Sam Bird | 61 | DS Virgin Racing | 69 |
4 | Sebastien Buemi | 37 | Panasonic Jaguar Racing | 54 |
5 | Nelson Piquet Jr. | 33 | Renault e.dams | 44 |
6 | Edoardo Mortara | 24 | Venturi Formula E Team | 30 |
7 | Mitch Evans | 21 | Andretti Formula E | 14 |
8 | Nick Heidfeld | 21 | Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler | 12 |
9 | Andre Lotterer | 18 | DRAGON | 12 |
10 | Daniel Abt | 12 | NIO Formula E Team | 9 |