The FIA Formula E Championship is the world’s first all-electric single-seater racing series. But what do those words actually mean, how does the technology work, and who are the key players behind the scenes?
Read on to find out more…
M
Ma Qing Hua
Ma was the first Chinese-born driver to win an international-level FIA-sanctioned event, claiming a brace of victories in the World Touring Car Championship. He joined Team Aguri midway through Season 2, and stayed with the team as it morphed into TECHEETAH. He drove three races for the new-look outfit, but his best result remained an 11th-place finish in London at the Season 2 finale.
Mahindra
The Mahindra Group is a multi-national company with its headquarters in India. Among the many products it makes is a series of electric cars called Reeva. It was its desire to improve the breed of its road cars through racing that led it to entering Formula E – the first time it has ever embarked on a factory-backed international four-wheel motorsport programme.
Mahindra scored a breakthrough result in Season 3 when Felix Rosenqvist scored the team’s first win at the Berlin ePrix in Tempelhof.
Magneti Marelli
Italian electronics specialist Magneti Marelli provides all the equipment that takes the telemetry readings off the cars and feeds them back to the teams and race control. It also produces motors for the Mahindra team.
Marrakesh
The historic Moroccan city played host to the first-ever Formula E race in Africa. Held at the same circuit where the WTCC has been racing for the past decade, the venue was the setting for Felix Rosenqvist recording the first ever Julius Baer Pole Position for Mahindra, while Sebastien Buemi prevailed in the race.
Marshals
Marshals are volunteers without whom motor racing would not be possible. They work around the track, waving the various flags that inform the drivers of what is taking place and ensure the track is cleared after any accidents.
McLaren Applied Technologies
A commercial spin-off of the world-famous McLaren Formula 1 team, McLaren Applied Technologies was first involved in Formula E as the supplier of the spec motor – which was in effect the same unit used in the P1 hypercar. It maintains a motor-based relationship with the Venturi and Faraday Future teams and has also been awarded the contract to produce the Season 5 battery, which will have double the range of the current unit, allowing the drivers to complete the whole race without the need for the car change.
Media Pen
The media pen is a specially designated area where all 20 Formula E drivers are obliged to make themselves available for media interviews. Normally located next to the media centre, the media pen is used after all official press conferences.
Mexico City
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is the only permanent racing facility that is used in the championship. Situated within the city limits of Mexico City, the track is an abridged version of the one used in Formula 1. The stadium section is able to seat more than 30,000 fans, making for one of the greatest atmospheres anywhere in racing.
Miami
The Miami ePrix was round five of Season 1 and the scene of Nico Prost’s maiden win. The track looped around the Miami Heat Basketball stadium.
Michelin
Michelin is the Official Tyre Partner to Formula E and it has produced a unique tyre that is in keeping with the championship’s sustainable philosophies. The award-winning Michelin Pilot Sport EV2 is unusual for two reasons. Firstly, it fits on an 18-inch rim, making the tyre low-profile like a road car version. Secondly, it is treaded, which means that it works in wet and dry conditions.
There are no tyre changes allowed in Formula E – except the in event of a puncture. Each driver is given one fresh set of tyres per car, per race.
To learn more about the tyres, click here
Monaco
The tiny Principality on the Mediterranean is famous the world over for its street track. Formula E has used a shortened version of the circuit for events in Season 1 and 3, with both races won by Sebastien Buemi.
Montagny, Franck
Frenchman Franck Montagny drove a charging race to finish second for Andretti in Formula E’s debut event. His uncompromising style worked less well in Putrajaya next time out. A failed drug test brought a premature end to his all-electric racing exploits.
Montreal
Montreal is the setting for the Season 3 finale, with a double-header in the city making it the first place other than London where the champion will be crowned.
Moscow
The Russian capital held a race in Season 1 that was won by the inaugural champion Nelson Piquet Jr. Remarkably it was the last time the Brazilian stood on a Formula E podium
Motomatica
Motomatica produced an approved powertrain for Season 2 that was built and developed for the Trulli team. The concept boasted impressive performance targets, but in reality the car never turned a wheel in anger, causing Trulli to withdraw from the series.
