Di Grassi Anticipates Authentic FE Team Performance in Morocco

Lucas di Grassi’s Insights: Unpacking Formula E’s True Pace

The 2016-17 Formula E champion, Lucas di Grassi, who secured a ninth-place finish in the season-opening race in Riyadh, shared his candid thoughts with RaceFans during his time in Morocco. Di Grassi highlighted the challenges faced in the previous race and expressed optimism about understanding the true pecking order of the new Gen2 cars.

“We fully understand that teams like DS and BMW are incredibly quick; we were aware of their strong pace even during the Valencia pre-season tests. Our true performance wasn’t reflected in Riyadh, partly due to my disqualification from qualifying which forced me to start at the very back of the grid. When you’re competing on a track like Riyadh, where it’s largely flat-out and without the traditional pit stops for tire changes, overtaking becomes an immense challenge. Despite these hurdles, we still managed to climb an impressive nine positions during the race, showcasing the underlying potential of our car.”

“I believe we could have achieved a much better result in Riyadh, perhaps not quite at the blistering pace of DS or BMW, but certainly far exceeding what many perceived our car’s capability to be. However, it’s here in Marrakech that I truly believe we will get a definitive understanding of where we stand against our competitors. This circuit, characterized by its long straights, offers an excellent opportunity to evaluate outright drivetrain performance. Furthermore, having raced here before, our team has a solid foundation for setup knowledge. For us, Marrakech feels like a reset button, providing a genuine and accurate comparison of our performance relative to the rest of the field in what promises to be an intensely competitive Season 5 of Formula E.”

Di Grassi’s remarks underline the high stakes and the rapid evolution of technology within Formula E, as teams adapt to the powerful Gen2 cars. The Marrakech E-Prix, with its distinct track characteristics, served as a crucial benchmark for Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler and the rest of the grid, offering valuable data to refine strategies and unlock further performance.

Social Media Buzz: Latest from the Motorsport World

Stay connected with the vibrant world of motorsport through these notable posts from Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms, capturing key announcements and reactions from drivers, teams, and game developers.

So it’s announced! I’ll be racing alongside Naoki Yamamoto in team Kunimitsu so we can fight to defend our title in Super GT. Can’t wait to take those Zeros off the side of the car!💪🏽😜#1 #teamkunimitsu #Honda pic.twitter.com/g2QZp0jx0o

— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) January 11, 2019

Former F1 World Champion Jenson Button confirmed his exciting plans to race alongside Naoki Yamamoto in Team Kunimitsu, aiming to defend their Super GT title. Button’s enthusiastic post highlighted his eagerness to get back on track and fight for victory with Honda power.

We’re excited to introduce @CircuitZolder, available next week in #ACCompetizione.

To celebrate, we want to provide you with some screenshots that allow us to compare the real counterpart with 100% in-game footage… #beACC pic.twitter.com/rgQ4lJ5ifn

— Assetto Corsa (@AC_assettocorsa) January 11, 2019

The popular racing simulator, Assetto Corsa Competizione, announced the upcoming release of Circuit Zolder, generating excitement among sim racers. The developers teased the new content with impressive in-game screenshots compared against real-world footage, promising a highly realistic experience.

By the way, if there are any film makers out there looking for a great story, the Grand Prix Saboteurs movie option has lapsed and the rights are available again. @Working_Title for example…

— Joe Saward (@joesaward) January 11, 2019

Renowned motorsport journalist Joe Saward shared an interesting tip for filmmakers, noting that the movie rights for “Grand Prix Saboteurs” are once again available. This presents a unique opportunity for production companies to bring a compelling racing narrative to the big screen.

https://twitter.com/HSouthwellFE/status/1083759241876434945

That’s a great looking livery if we may say so ourselves… @CarlinRacing pic.twitter.com/yYl5AjsuS5

— Formula 3 (@Formula3) January 11, 2019

Formula 3’s official Twitter account admired the striking new livery from Carlin Racing, showcasing a visually appealing design. The post generated positive feedback from fans and highlighted the aesthetic side of motorsport.

FIA: What would a suitable punishment be?
Steward: A race ban?
FIA: No that’s not harsh enough. Let’s send him to a Formula E race https://t.co/gOqUKpY9zf

— Josh Holland (@Josh_Holland5) January 11, 2019

Josh Holland provided a humorous take on Formula E, joking about it being a “harsh punishment.” This lighthearted tweet sparked discussions among fans about the perception and appeal of electric racing.

• Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory

Beyond the Headlines: Essential Motorsport Links

For those eager to dive deeper, here’s a curated selection of intriguing motor racing links, offering diverse perspectives and updates from across the sport.

Mandatory two stops not the solution, says Pirelli F1 boss (Reuters)

Pirelli’s F1 boss, Mario Isola, weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding tire strategies in Formula 1, expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of mandatory two-stop races for improving the spectacle. He confirmed that the proposal to remove the rule requiring top-ten qualifiers to start on their Q2 tires is still under consideration, aiming to open up strategic options and potentially create more unpredictable races. This discussion is crucial for the sport as it seeks to enhance racing excitement and reduce processional events.

• Pirelli doubt two mandatory pit stops would improve racing

Red Bull gets boost from retained Honda concept (Autosport)

With a pivotal shift to Honda power for the upcoming 2019 Formula 1 season, Red Bull Racing received encouraging news regarding the engine manufacturer’s progress. Honda confirmed that its underlying engine concept, which delivered significant improvements in 2018, remains robust and effective. The focus has been on further enhancing both reliability and performance, giving Red Bull confidence that their new partnership is built on a sound foundation and holds strong potential for challenging the established front-runners.

Fans can attend IndyCar test at COTA on Feb. 12 (IndyCar)

IndyCar announced an exciting opportunity for fans to witness a pre-season test session at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on February 12th. This marks a significant moment as COTA prepares to host its inaugural IndyCar Classic race, becoming the second event on the 2019 calendar. Access to the Tuesday test day will be free for those who have already purchased tickets for the race weekend (March 22-24), while other attendees can gain admission for a modest fee of $20. This initiative aims to generate early buzz and allow fans a glimpse into the preparations for a highly anticipated new venue for the series.

Carlos Ghosn’s wife is worried about her husband’s health in ‘harsh conditions’ (CNN)

Concerns were raised over the health of former Nissan and Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn, who reportedly developed a fever while detained in a Tokyo jail. His wife expressed profound worry for his well-being, citing the “harsh conditions” of his confinement. Ghosn’s arrest on charges of financial misconduct sent shockwaves through the global automotive industry, and his ongoing legal battle continues to draw significant international attention.

McLaren can only hope for a return to respectability (Motorsport magazine)

Motorsport Magazine offered a candid assessment of McLaren’s position in Formula 1, suggesting the legendary team is facing an uphill battle to regain its former glory. The article highlighted that McLaren had fallen significantly behind its rivals in various critical areas, a decline that was somewhat obscured by the widely acknowledged performance deficits of their Honda power units between 2015 and 2017. As they navigate a post-Honda era, the team’s primary aspiration remains a return to a respectable, competitive standing in the sport.

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Fan Forum: Is Formula E Getting Too Much Attention?

Today’s featured comment sparks a lively debate about the rise and reception of Formula E, questioning whether the all-electric racing series is receiving disproportionate media and fan attention. This user’s perspective offers a critical view on various aspects of Formula E, from its perceived credibility to its racing format and coverage.

“How many times have we seen articles like this? Not but a month ago the headline was ‘From curiosity to credibility?’ I feel the world is trying to shovel Formula E down my throat.

If this wants to be an analysis of what the second generation cars have produced, doing it after just one race doesn’t seem appropriate. Especially given it was the first time they tried that Mario Kart-style gimmick.

I don’t like Formula E, and I tried watching a lot of races, including the first race of this season. It’s just too slow, too unexciting, it has Fanboost which I despise. And particularly at the last race, the coverage of the race was the worst I’ve ever seen in any motorsport race. I had no idea what was happening, they didn’t explain it to me, they were just as clueless, I had no information regarding penalties, why were they given and when were they taken. It also feels a bit amateurish. But I’m sure that’s going to change now that there are so many respected drivers in it. Until last year, it was just a bunch of F1 rejects.

As a marketing tool, it works just fine and I respect the series for ‘bringing motorsport to the people’ in a way. I don’t like it but I still watch it, even more now that’s readily available on Youtube. If F1 was on Youtube for free, everyone would watch it and it’d be an even bigger thing marketing wise, I’m sure. It brings manufacturers attention because it’s cheap and it makes them look good in this new green present/future we’re living.
@Fer-No65

The commenter, @Fer-No65, raises several points of contention regarding Formula E’s rapid ascent. There’s a palpable sense of fatigue with what is perceived as a forced promotion of the series, especially when evaluating the Gen2 cars after just a single race, which also introduced the novel “Attack Mode” feature, likened to a ‘Mario Kart-style gimmick’. While acknowledging Formula E’s success as a marketing platform, particularly for manufacturers keen to align with a “green” image, the core racing experience receives sharp criticism. Issues cited include the perceived slow pace, lack of excitement, and a strong dislike for “Fanboost,” which allows fans to directly influence race outcomes by voting for their favorite drivers.

Furthermore, @Fer-No65 highlights significant frustrations with the race broadcast quality, describing it as confusing and amateurish, lacking clear explanations for critical race events like penalties. The sentiment that Formula E, despite attracting more “respected drivers” recently, was previously just a collection of “F1 rejects” also reflects a segment of the fan base’s view on the series’ talent pool. Despite these criticisms, the commenter admits to still watching the races, especially with their free availability on YouTube, underscoring Formula E’s undeniable accessibility advantage over other premium motorsport series. This comment truly encapsulates the polarized views surrounding Formula E – its innovative approach to motorsport versus the traditionalist’s desire for pure, unadulterated racing.

Dive Deeper: Discussing the Latest in the Forum

Engage with fellow motorsport enthusiasts on some of the most pressing topics and intriguing questions in our dedicated forum:

• The team that needs a name: What would you call Racing Point/Force India?

Join the discussion and share your creative ideas for the future branding of the Racing Point/Force India team.

Happy Birthday Wishes to Our Valued RaceFans Community Members!

We extend our warmest birthday wishes to Abdurahman, Brian Frank, and Al! May your day be filled with joy and celebrations, perhaps even a nod to your favorite racing moments. We love celebrating with our community!

If you’d like a birthday shout-out in a future round-up, please don’t hesitate to tell us when your special day is via the contact form or by adding your name to our growing list here. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Motorsport History: On This Day in F1

Delving into the annals of Formula 1 history, we mark a significant milestone from exactly a decade ago:

• 10 years ago today, January 12th, Ferrari launched their 2009 challenger, the F60. This particular car, named to commemorate Ferrari’s 60th season in Formula 1, holds a bittersweet place in the team’s history. Despite its grand unveiling at Mugello and high hopes, the F60 only managed to secure a single victory throughout the entire season, a triumph delivered by the talented Kimi Räikkönen at the challenging Spa-Francorchamps circuit.