Unknown unknows. was Re: Why no Formula E?

[Chris Woods]

On 2021-04-25 19:09, Peter S Kirk wrote:
> On 25 Apr 2021 at 13:10, Jim web Jim web <web at audiomisc.co.uk> wrote:
> 
>> The problem being unknown unknowns
> 
> Another unkown is why anyone watches - pit stop changeover is a joke

You'll be happy to hear that's not a thing since the Gen2 car went into 
service for 2020 season. The Gen2 car is way nicer than the Gen1, and 
the Gen3/'Gen2 EVO' has some interesting changes to aero and so on but 
was delayed by the production halt at Dallara thanks to Covid.

Formula E were in a tough spot when the original bidders for the Gen1 
car failed to deliver, the collaborative effort turned out pretty well 
given the constraints.

https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2020/september/world-ev-day-progress
https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/discover/cars-and-technology
https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/watch/video-highlights/highlights/old-vs-new-gen1-vs-gen2

https://motorsport.tech/formula-e/gen3-formula-es-big-step-into-unchartered-territory
https://motorsport.tech/formula-e/when-will-we-see-you-again-formula-es-delayed-gen2evo-machine-analysed

It's surprisingly fun to watch. No tyre warmers, ostensibly all-weather 
road car tyres, a wide range of drivers with abilities from different 
disciplines results in a curious mix of tactics, mindgames, precision 
driving, lift and coast for regen and flat out attack. Safety cars can 
produce some hilarious, exciting or unexpected results (e.g. Valencia 
yesterday!)

Whereas F1 at the moment is usually a "who will follow Hamilton over the 
finish line", Formula E can throw up some real curveballs. Even 
qualifying performance can be wildly different between rounds. I love 
hearing all the tyre squeal, transmission whine and crunch of carbon 
fibre as someone does a full send into an impossible overtake :D

TV presentation is fairly engaging, presenters are enthusiastic and fans 
of the sport, plus race commentators Jack Nicholls and Dario Franchitti 
don't just scream into the mic like Crofty does at each race start, 
trying to mimic Murray Walker. Overall programme length feels nice, 
unlike the hours of exposition around the F1 races. Sometimes you get 
nice guest pundits like Mark Webber showing up too.

If you haven't watched for a while, give it a try :) The latest rounds 
are on the iPlayer, a Valencia double-header. The first one was quite 
controversial...