The ABB FIA Formula E Championship heads to the French Riviera this weekend (11 May). Round nine of the 2018/2019 season will be held on the famous streets of the Principality of Monaco. After successful events in 2015 and 2017 (photo), Formula E returns for the third time in the all-electric series’ history.
12 narrow and twisty turns lead the drivers on a 1.765 km long lap alongside the Hercules Harbour. Iconic names like Ste Devote, La Rascasse, Tabac and Swimming Pool make the heart of any racing car fan beat faster. Set in glamorous surroundings on the Mediterranean coast the event is one of this seasons’ highlights.
Last time out
Both previous races in Monaco have been a happy hunting ground for Nissan’s Sebastien Buemi, who not only scored pole position in both rounds, but also climbed on the top step of the podium in both years. Lucas di Grassi of Audi Sport ABT came second in both outings. While the result in 2017 moved Buemi ahead of di Grassi in the drivers’ championship, the Brazilian went on to win the title at the end of the season.
Current standings
Season 5 remains incredibly unpredictable, as the list of consecutive different race winners has been extended to eight in as many rounds. Still without a repeat winner this season, the championship standings are extremely tight. Paris E-Pix winner Robin Frijns of Envision Virgin Racing leads with 81 points to his name. DS TECHEETAH driver Andre Lotterer is only one point behind him, closely followed by Antonio Felix da Costa and Lucas di Grassi on 70 points each. Andre Lotterer is currently the only driver in the top seven without a race win to his name and will put all his efforts into changing that at the upcoming event. Having only made his debut in the FIA Formula E championship last season, Lotterer has not yet raced an electric single-seater on the Monacan circuit.
The good results for DS TECHEETAH in the last three rounds mean that the team is currently leading the ABB FIA Formula E Championship teams’ standing. Envision Virgin Racing, the only team so far for which both drivers managed to win a race follows in second, with Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler in third position.
25 points are awarded for winning an E-Prix and with the top eight drivers only separated by 22 points a lot could change this weekend. The championship is still wide open.