Guide: Welcome to the 2018 CBMM Niobium Punta del Este E-Prix

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Guide: Welcome to the 2018 CBMM Niobium Punta del Este E-Prix

Your definitive guide to all the action at the 2018 CBMM Niobium Punta del Este E-Prix

Guide: Welcome to the 2018 CBMM Niobium Punta del Este E-Prix

After the ABB FIA Formula E Championship celebrated Daniel Abt's first victory in the all-electric series for Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler, it's time to head back to Punta del Este in Uruguay for round six - that all-important halfway point - as we welcome you to the 2018 CBMM Niobium Punta del Este E-Prix.

Taking place on March 17 on the Punta Del Este Street Circuit, which runs the length of the sun-drenched Playa Brava, all 10 teams and 20 drivers will battle to boost their standing in the championship as they approach the second half of the season. Playing host to Formula E in Season One and Two, Punta del Este saw Techeetah's Jean-Eric Vergne on pole in his first ever Formula E race in 2014 while Renault e.dams' Sebastien Buemi took the top step of the podium. Season Two saw former champion Nelson Piquet Jn. crash out in spectacular fashion while Buemi held onto his title as the race winner for the second consecutive year. Will he be able to claim his hattrick this year? Join us to find out.

Can't make it to the race? No problem - check out our handy broadcast guide to find out how to watch where you are.

SATURDAY 17 MARCH (all times are local to Punta del Este)

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, food stalls, interactive displays and the chance to drive the track on our simulators in the Gaming Arena. Here, the three fastest fans will go through to the E-Race where they'll have the chance to race directly against the three fastest Formula E drivers. Think you can beat the pros? Now's your chance to prove it.

08:00 - Free Practice 1, Track
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 200kW of the car's power.

09:00 - Gold Grandstand Pit Walk, Pit Lane

Always wanted to see behind the scenes at Formula E? Well, for ticket holders in the Gold Grandstand, it's your chance to see into the team garages and get to the heart of Formula E.

10:30 - Free Practice 2, Track

Yep, that's right - this session is 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, Track

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 (see below).

12:45 - Super Pole, Track

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, Gaming Arena, Allianz E-Village

Not all the racing in Formula E takes place on the 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 on-track action. With the three fastest fans going head-to-head against the three fastest drivers, the E-Race is the place to take on pros. Think you can do it?

14:00 - Drivers' Autograph Session, Allianz E-Village

Stick around after the E-Race to meet with the drivers at the Autograph session. Signing everything from caps, t-shirts and, err, lemons (?), be sure to bring your favourite merchandise along. Oh, and don't forget the fruit.

14:30 - Platinum Grandstand Pit Walk, Pit Lane

At 14:30 there's another chance to see behind the scenes at Formula E as we open up the pit lane to Platinum Grandstand ticket holders. Here's your chance to see into the team garages and get to the heart of Formula E.

15:00 - Driver Parade, Track

Here's your chance to get a good look at all 20 drivers before the race as they complete a parade lap in all-electric classic cars. The next time you see them, they'll be going flat out in the race.

16:04 - 2018 CBMM Niobium Punta del Este E-Prix (37 laps), Track

This is it, the moment you (not to mention 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. After Renault e.dams Sebastien Buemi claimed victory here in season one and two, can he make it his hattrick?

17:00 - CBMM Niobium Podium Ceremony, Allianz E-Village

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? Join in the celebration and watch them spray the Mumm champagne in the Allianz E-Village.

18:30 - Allianz E-Village and CBMM Niobium Punta del Este E-Prix closes

That's it for the 2018 CBMM Niobium Punta del Este E-Prix and we're now over halfway through the season but don't worry, there are still six rounds of all-electric racing to come - click here to see our full calendar listing