The next big thing in motorsport world is the new FIA Formula E Championship, the electric version of Formula One. Venturi Grand Prix Formula E Team is the tenth and final team to enter the 2014/15 electric single-seater championship. A joint venture team between Hollywood star and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio, and Electric Vehicle manufacturer Venturi Automobiles.
A total of ten teams enter this new FIA Championship, with two drivers in each team competing in zero emission single-seater race cars that can go up to 225km/h. One of the teams is Virgin Racing, which pulled out from Forumla One and gone eco-friendly. The scheduled races take place in 10 cities such as London, Los Angeles and Beijing. The general objective of this new set of championship is to create interest in young generation of motorsport fans, while promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.
That is why Leonardo DiCaprio has taken initiative to take part in Formula E as team co-founder and investor. “The future of our planet depends on our ability to embrace fuel-efficient, clean-energy vehicles,” DiCaprio said. “Venturi Grand Prix has shown tremendous foresight in their decision to create an environmentally friendly racing team, and I am happy to be a part of this effort.” Venturi Automobiles holds the world land speed record for an electric vehicle with 495km/h. The leader in high performance electric vehicles plans to build their own Formula E car from second season.
Formula E car – Spark-Renault SRT_01E
SRT_01E Formula E Car: Test Debut…
“It’s an honour and a pleasure to welcome the Venturi Grand Prix team as the tenth and final team of the FIA Formula E Championship,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of series promoters Formula E Holdings. “I want to give a very special welcome to our Championship to Leonardo DiCaprio. Very few environmental leaders have helped more than him to spread the message of sustainability around the world. Having people like him and Richard Branson – global ambassadors for the environment – is a privilege for our Championship and will greatly help us to spread the use of electric cars in cities around the planet.” The following are the confirmed teams.
2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship – Teams
1. Drayson Racing Formula E Team, UK
2. China Racing Formula E Team, China
3. Andretti Autosport Formula E Team, USA
4. Dragon Racing Formula E Team, USA
5. e.dams Formula E Team, France
6. Super Aguri Formula E Team, Japan
7. Audi Sport ABT Formula E Team, Germany
8. Mahindra Racing Formula E Team, India
9. Virgin Racing Formula E Team, UK
10. Venturi Grand Prix Formula E Team, Monaco
The championship kicks off in Beijing China, in September 2014. I wonder, will the spectators at the grandstands fall asleep in every race due to the lack of screaming engine and exhaust noise? All you get is electric motors whining, like Tamiya cars. The exhilaration you get from car races such Formula One may not be the same in Formula E races.
However, what’s more important is the innovations and technologies created throughout the development of the race cars that will eventually be adopted to enhance real world cars. Some clever ideas from this new series which may make it exciting for spectators. One of them is the wireless charging technology used on the race cars. Find out more from the video below.
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IMAGE GALLERY
