Formula E has been labelled as the biggest challenge to Formula 1's dominance of motorsport in decades. While F1 is defined by expense and extravagance, Formula E is a championship where the cars are powered exclusively by electric energy, which places a greater emphasis on efficiency and sustainability than any form of motor racing ever before.
This year's inaugural championship will see 10 races sweep through city centre tracks around the globe – including London and Monaco – and its 20-strong driver line-up is brimming with pedigree. 13 of the first group of Formula E drivers have F1 experience and in the first two races – which drew a global TV audience of almost 50 million people – Virgin Racing's Sam Bird and Jaime Alguersauri made a big impression.
After two races British driver Bird has caused the biggest stir, winning the most recent round in Malaysia, while Alguersauri posted the race's quickest lap time and boasts an impressive motorsport career, having become the youngest driver in F1 history to start a Grand Prix at 19-years-old in 2009.
We spoke to Virgin Racing's Sam Bird and Jaime Alguersuari about the changing face of motorsport, the importance of friendly competition and the global potential of Formula E.
1.
How exciting is it to be involved in what is essentially a new era for motorsport?
Jaime Alguersuari: It’s great because it’s new. I think motorsport needed a big change as a sport and as a business. For all drivers Formula E is challenging because everytime we step in the car we’re finding something new. We’re dealing with new technology that will generate a shift in motorsport.
We’re not always thinking about trying to be the quickest out there, we’re trying to be efficient and that’s never come to our mind before. We’re always thinking about our batteries. There’s so much more to consider when driving this type of car and it can change the world.
There was a lot of hype around the first race weekend, how did it feel to be involved in something so fresh
Sam Bird: For me personally it was a success. It’s fair to say that we had a fairly difficult pre-season of testing, so to come away with a podium on my side of the garage was a big result, we proved that we’re going to be competitive. It was a good start to life in Formula E.
One of the major selling points for Formula E is that it’s environmentally friendly. Is that one of the things that pulled you towards this championship?
SB: I didn’t necessarily contribute [to the environment] as much as I could have done but now, being a part of this, I’m more conscious about what we do to the planet and how we can make it better.
Sure. How much do you have to adjust your tactics and driving style to get as much from an electric car as you do from petrol?
JA: Basically, whatever you’ve learned in the past doesn’t count. You need to learn from scratch. I’m racing here because racing is in my blood but in terms of procedures and experience, everything is new. It’s completely different.
So are there ‘bad habits’ that you guys have had to drop from your time in Formula 1 and elsewhere?
SB: There’s a certain style of driving that myself and Jaime have been used to over the last five years: brake extremely late as hard as you can, fly through the corner and then get on the power in one-time and get a good exit. I’m learning that’s not necessarily the best way to drive a Formula E car. We’re now seeing a different form of driving style and the mentality is different. We’re now fully aware when we’re in that car about the state of the battery. We’ve got to be fast but it’s just as important to be economical.
You guys seem to have a very good relationship. How do you work together as a team on and off the track
SB: You wait ‘til he leaves then I’ll give you the full story…(laughs). Without going over the top, he’s extremely quick. He’s been at the top of motorsport and scored points in Formula 1, which is nothing to take away – it’s an amazing achievement. It’s good to have somebody here that I can learn from, too.
We’re now fully aware when we’re in that car about the state of the battery. We’ve got to be fast but it’s just as important to be economical.
And is there a sense of friendly competition between the two of you?
JA: Of course but he doesn’t just want to be quicker than me – he wants to be the quickest out of everyone! As a team, especially in a new series like this, we want to push ourselves forward. We’ve looked good as a team so far but there’s work to do. We’re always learning, ever since the first time we stepped in the car. I’m learning from Sam and sometimes he’s learning from me. We’re competitive drivers in all aspects but this new technology can influence everything in ways we didn’t even think about. The best thing to do – as a team – is share what we can. If Sam found something that helped him, I need to know it – learn from it – and move forward.
Most people will never get to drive the sort of cars that you guys do on race day. Can you even begin to explain what a leap it is to make?
SB: It’s so different. Every single thing that you can possibly think of is different. We’re in a single-seater racing car but in a road car you have four or five seats. You have room to store luggage, I don’t. I’ve got two pedals, most cars have three. I don’t need to use the clutch. I’m trying to sit as low to the ground as humanly possible. It’s a lot lighter. I’m powered by a battery. It’s a different world.
2.
Sam Branson stopped by earlier on – how has it been to work with Virgin?
SB: Really good, I think it’s a great company to work for – they’re one of the biggest brands in the world. Everybody’s heard of Virgin so to be a part of that and representing that brand is very special. I’d say Jaime will probably think the same…
JA: I’m very happy to be at Virgin because the first time I met with them, they had the right mentality. If you go to Paddington, where they’ve got the offices, you can see and breathe the energy. The people working there are full of ambition, power and value. I fell in love with them.
What careers would you guys have if you weren’t racing?
SB: Gosh. I played football at a very good level and I thought about giving that a go, but my first love was always motorsport. I like to play golf, I like to play squash, I like to go cycling…
So you’re a sport guy through and through?
SB: Exactly. I live in my training gear pretty much.
JA: I love cycling too but I could never imagine myself doing that, wow. I really admire those guys – even if the sport does have its problems – they need to train so hard, no matter what the condition.
They want to see fast cars overtaking and crashing. I think Formula E has all the potential to be the pinnacle of motorsport
You guys are flying so far. Where do you want to be at the end of the first ever Formula E season?
SB: The season has started well and I think it’s going to get better. As long as I work well with the engineers and Jaime, there’s no reason we can’t take the fight to some of the other very-established teams.
Finally, how big do you think Formula E can be and what does it need to do to get there?
JA: It’s managed by people who have clear ideas and know what they want, that’s very important. The first job was to get manufacturers in – such as Audi or Renault – and we’ve already done that. The fact we’re racing on street circuits in the middle of city centres, much closer to the fans, it makes a show! Fans want a show. They want to see fast cars overtaking and crashing. I think Formula E has all the potential to be the pinnacle of motorsport.
Fans can vote for Sam or Jaime to receive additional speed during each race thanks to FanBoost. The three most popular drivers will receive a five-second speed boost to their car. Cast your vote at fanboost.fiaformulae.com.
