Guide: Welcome to the 2018 CBMM Niobium Rome E-Prix presented by Mercedes EQ

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Guide: Welcome to the 2018 CBMM Niobium Rome E-Prix presented by Mercedes EQ

Your definitive guide to all the action in Rome

Guide: Welcome to the 2018 CBMM Niobium Rome E-Prix presented by Mercedes EQ

Already six rounds of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship have passed and we're over the half-way point in the season. We've visited five countries on four continents and seen 11 different drivers on the podium so far. Not bad going, hey?

But now, things start to get really interesting as we approach the European leg of the season, starting off with the CBMM Niobium Rome E-Prix presented by Mercedes EQ, taking place on April 14.

For the first time ever, fully-electric single-seater street racing comes to the Italian capital. With all the action taking place on the specially designed Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR, the track will be second longest track in the calendar at 2.84km in length. With a total of 21 turns, the start/finish line is located on Via Cristoforo Colombo, with the cars will racing around the Obelisco di Marconi, against the backdrop of the iconic Colosseo Quadrato.

To make sure you don't miss out on any of the action on the day, take a look at the guide below, which covers all the events from start to finish. It's going to quite a ride.

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 14 April (all times are local to Rome - UTC+2)

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.
Click here to learn more about the Allianz E-Village.

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.

08:55 - Roborace, Track
Here's your chance to see Roborace - the world's first driverless electric racing car - in action on the track.

10:30 - Federico Baroni - Live music performance, Podium

Head over to the podium to see Federico Baroni perform live ahead of the race.

10:30 - Free Practice 2, Track
Yes, you guessed it - 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.

11:00 - Setak - Live music performance
After Free Practice 2, head back over to the podium to see Setak live on stage.

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.

13:00 - Federico Baroni - Live music performance, Podium
Another chance to see Federico Baroni perform live on stage ahead of the race.

13:45 - E-Race, Gaming Arena, Allianz E-Village
Not all the racing in Formula E takes place on the track. At every round of 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 memorabilia of all shapes and sizes.

14:20 - Roborace, Track
Ahead of the main event, there's another chance to see Roborace - the world's first driverless electric racing car - in action on the track.

14:30 - Federico Baroni - Live music performance
Your last chance to see Federico Baroni perform live on stage at the BMM Niobium Rome E-Prix presented by Mercedes EQ.

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 - CBMM Niobium Rome E-Prix presented by Mercedes EQ (33 laps)
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 33 laps of pure electric racing and one winner. With it being the first time the series has raced on the streets of Rome, who will have the honour of taking the historic win?

17:05 - Podium Ceremony, Allianz E-Village
That's it, the cars have crossed the line and the top 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.

17:30 - Swingrowers - Live music performance
Stick around after the podium celebrations to see Swingrowers finish off the event with a live performance on stage.

18:30 - Micro-conference: Will Artificial Intelligence be a danger to the cultural heritage of our greatest cities?
From autonomous cars to drone delivery - join Allianz and a panel of experts to find out what effect Artificial Intelligence will have on our daily lives, the way we move about and the cultural heritage of our cities.

20:00 - Allianz E-Village and CBMM Niobium Rome E-Prix presented by Mercedes EQ closes
That's it for the 2018 CBMM Niobium Rome E-Prix presented by Mercedes EQ. But it doesn't end there, Formula E's European campaign continues with the Qatar Airways Paris E-Prix on April 28 - click here to see our full calendar listing.