With Hong Kong and Marrakesh down and out it’s time for the ABB FIA Formula E Championship to head to pastures new. On the February 3, Chile’s capital Santiago will play host to round four, as the 2018 Antofagasta Minerals E-Prix kicks off in the heart of the city. Bringing a major motorsport series back to the capital for the first time since the 1950 Grand Prix, Formula E is well and truly set for the streets of Santiago.
With the lights going green in Parque Forestal in just a few days, we’ve devised a handy guide to make sure you don’t miss a thing. With all the action (on and off-track) listed below, as and when it’s taking place, be sure to keep it close. For anything not listed, feel free to ask for further information at one of our information kiosks. All the times stated below are subject to change. Keep an eye on the information at the event for live updates.
Can’t join us this time? No problem – check out our equally handy broadcast guide to find out how to watch where you are.
SATURDAY, 3 FEBRUARY
08:00 – Allianz E-Village opens
For the early risers, the gates to the Allianz E-Village – Formula E’s festival of entertainment, technology and innovation – open at 08:00. With activities for all ages, including the drivers’ autograph session a selection food stalls, interactive displays and activities.
08:00 – Free Practice 1
For those keen on getting in on all the racing action, the first free practice session of the day starts at 08:00. This is the first time the drivers will have the chance to drive the track under timed conditions, giving us an insight into how they’ll perform during the race. Despite the timings, they don't count towards the race result – it’s just a free practice session. Here, the drivers can make use of the full 200kWof the car’s power.
10:30 – Free Practice 2
Yep, you guessed it – it’s exactly the same format as before only this is the second time the drivers will drive the track under timed conditions. This session is another chance for them to test the set-up of the car and make sure it’s perfect for the race. Again, despite the timer running, this session doesn’t count towards the race and drivers can make use of all 200kWs.
12:00 - Qualifying
Qualifying determines the starting grid for the race, with the fastest driver lining-up in first place. The session lasts one hour and sees drivers divided into groups, decided by a lottery conducted in advance. Each driver has six minutes to set their best time, with the top-five drivers proceeding to the Super Pole shoot-out.
12:45 – Super Pole
During the Super Pole shoot-out, the drivers go out one-by-one, with the fifth fastest driver from the group stages going out first. When they cross the line to start their flying lap, the pitlane light turns green and the fourth fastest driver heads out. This is repeated until all five drivers have completed a lap. The fastest driver out of the five will be awarded the Julius Baer Pole Position and an additional three points. It’s all worth fighting for.
13:45 – E-Race
Not all the racing in Formula E takes place on track. At every round in the championship is the E-Race – a virtual race taking place in the Allianz E-Village, where drivers battle against the fans on simulators, that replicate all the action on track. Fancy yourself as a gamer? This is the place to prove it.
15:00 – Driver Parade
Here’s your chance to get a good look at all 20 drivers and their cars before the race as they complete a parade lap. The next time you see them, they'll be going flat out.
16:00 – 2018 ABB FIA Antofagasta Minerals Santiago E-Prix (37 laps)
Here it is, the moment you (alongside all the teams and drivers) have been waiting for. No more practice, no more qualifying, just 37 laps of pure electric racing and one winner.
17:05 – Podium Ceremony
That’s it, the results are in and three drivers will take to the podium but only one can take the title – who will it be? Watch them celebrate with Mumm champagne in the Allianz E-Village.
18:00 – Allianz E-Village and E-Prix closes
That’s it for the 2018 Antofagasta Minerals E-Prix but don’t worry, there are another eight rounds of all-electric racing to come – click here to see our full calendar listing.