This weekend’s marks Formulation E’s second go to to the industrial hub of Saudi Arabia. The all-electric championship will as soon as once more race on a bespoke model of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, incorporating sure sections of the complete Formulation 1 structure.
Whereas Jeddah is understood for internet hosting the quickest avenue race on the F1 calendar, Formulation E has labored with organisers to design a shorter and slower 3km structure tailor-made to the particular calls for of the championship.
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The lap begins on the identical begin/end straight as F1, utilising the everlasting pit advanced and related infrastructure.
The structure mirrors the grand prix circuit via Turns 1 to three, earlier than diverging at Flip 4, the place a good hairpin hyperlinks the observe to what corresponds to the Flip 21/22 part of the unique structure.
The ultimate part of the observe is unchanged, together with the looped ultimate nook featured in F1.
Nonetheless, to extend overtaking and power regeneration alternatives, Formulation E has additionally put in 4 extra straights on the observe – two on the again straight and an additional two alongside the principle stretch.
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In whole, the Formulation E configuration options 19 corners in comparison with 27 on the complete grand prix structure.
Whereas the modified FE structure has typically been nicely obtained, with some drawing comparisons to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, the substitute chicanes haven’t proved as in style.
Jeddah Formulation E structure
Jeddah Formulation E structure
What drivers take into consideration the Jeddah Formulation E structure
Mahindra’s , who’s the one driver to have raced at Jeddah in each Formulation E and Formulation 1 equipment, defined the important thing variations between the 2 variations of the observe.
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“Clearly, our observe model is far shorter,” the previous Alpha Tauri F1 driver instructed Motorsport.com. “We do not really get to make use of that many corners as a result of it is simply Flip 1, Flip 2 and Flip 3 which might be precisely the identical.
“After all, Flip 5-6 for us can be the identical as [Turn 22 and Turn 23 of] Formulation 1, however in Formulation E we arrive with a really completely different velocity.
“The observe seems to be fairly completely different for us [compared to F1].”
Andretti driver raced on the complete Jeddah structure when GT World Problem Europe visited Saudi Arabia on the finish of 2024.
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The 2023 Formulation E champion lamented the lack of the quick and sweeping opening part, however feels the championship has struck the precise steadiness between velocity and power administration.
“Finally, you do miss out on the actually enjoyable half in Formulation E,” he instructed Motorsport.com. “You miss out on the entire of the primary sector which is the place the automotive can actually come alive in any class you race in. In order that’s a little bit of a disgrace however clearly it is executed for sure causes and I perceive why. However the precise observe structure in a Formulation E automotive is fairly good.
“You understand the racing that we now have here’s a actually good mix of having the ability to lead, however then additionally save power and be on the entrance when it’s worthwhile to be. So, from my understanding, it is a good compromise.”
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New Andretti signing raced – and received – on the complete Jeddah structure in Formulation 2 in 2022 and described it as considered one of his favorite tracks.
“The complete Jeddah observe is tremendous cool, I find it irresistible. It is most likely top-of-the-line ones that I do know. I’ve solely pushed the brief model within the simulator. The simulator appears good as nicely. Clearly, I nonetheless favor the massive one, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a cool observe to drive on.”
Requested what makes the complete Jeddah circuit so particular, he added: “It simply requires balls. Large balls!”
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Cupra Kiro driver supplied an analogous evaluation, saying: “I drove the complete model [in] F2, it’s considered one of my favorite tracks I’ve pushed really.
“It [the FE version] is okay, I believe we have too many little chicanes, however it’s what it’s. It is nonetheless enjoyable to drive.”
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