It's been a rollercoaster ride through Europe for the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. So far, we've seen Panasonic Jaguar Racing's Mitch Evans get devastatingly close to his second podium in Rome before losing it all at the last minute, while in Paris and Berlin, it was a fairytale ending for Techeetah's Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Abt (Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler) as they emerged emotionally drained but victorious in their respective home races. For Vergne, it was his "most emotional win, by far," while for Abt it was simply, "a dream come true."
But Formula E's European campaign rages on as we arrive in Zurich, Switzerland for the inaugural 2018 Julius Baer Zurich E-Prix. Marking the return of circuit racing to the country after a 64-year hiatus, the stage is set for another epic showdown on the streets of one of Switzerland's most iconic cities. Ahead of the race, taking place at 18:00 on Sunday June 10, here's all you need to know and the top four storylines to look out for on race day.
Racing return
The ABB FIA Formula E Championship will be making history once again as the series brings circuit racing back to Switzerland for the first time in over 60-years. After the 1954 Swiss Grand Prix, the sport was banned by the country following the Le Mans disaster in 1955. But 64 years later, circuit racing returns to the city after a law change in 2015 lifted restrictions on fully-electric racing, paving the way for the inaugural race in Zurich.
Street racing at its best
With the track measuring 2.465km long, all ten teams and 20 drivers will race along the lakeside, past the Arboretum - the home of the Allianz E-Village festival - before bearing left, into the historic city centre and looping back to the start/finish line in front of Enge harbour. "The track looks very nice," says championship hopeful Jean-Eric Vergne (Techeetah). "It's proper Formula E style, which I like - it's what Formula E is all about and Zurich is the best example."
Tough at the top
For prolific point scorer Vergne, there's a mathematical chance that the Frenchman could wrap up the championship here in Switzerland. "The pressure is the same as every race. If there is a driver that has pressure, it's not me," shrugs Vergne. "As for me, I just need to be doing the job I've been doing for all of the races this year and hope for the best. I'll play it as usual - every race is the same." But if only it was that easy. Standing in his way is DS Virgin Racing's Sam Bird. "There's a situation happening where I need to do well," he says. "There is no pressure for me but there is for other people [he laughs] - that's the way it is. I think the track will suit us better than Berlin, definitely - but we'll have to see what happens."
Swiss showdown
With two Swiss drivers - Renault e.dams Sebastien Buemi and Venturi Formula E's Edoardo Mortara - it's going to be a Swiss showdown to see if either one of the drivers can keep the momentum set by our two previous home race heroes. "To have the chance to be racing here is amazing. I can hardly believe what we are doing here," says Mortara. "Motorsport has never really been a topic in Switzerland, so to be here is completely unique. It's only when you've grown up here do you understand that this is unbelievable," he says, looking over the track towards the lakeside. "To be honest, credit to Formula E - they've done a fantastic job in getting a race here after 64 years." For fellow Swissman Sebastien Buemi, the Renault driver grew up close to the city, racing go-karts from an early age. "I could never really dream of one day having the opportunity to sit here and do this race," he says. "But here we are, just the day before the race, and the location looks great. I'll try to do my best but I also want to enjoy it because it's going to be a very important day in my career."
Alongside Buemi and Mortara, Switzerland is also home to a whole host of Formula E partners including title partner and tech company ABB, as well as race title partner Julius Baer, TAG Heuer and Modis.