Lotterer’s Jakarta Points Reinstated After Porsche Appeal Win

Key Motorsport Updates

Lotterer’s Jakarta E-Prix Penalty Rescinded, Reshaping Results Ahead of Marrakech

André Lotterer has been officially reinstated to eighth place in the final classification of the recent Jakarta E-Prix in Indonesia. This reversal comes after stewards cleared him of responsibility for a collision involving Nyck de Vries during the early stages of the race. The initial ruling, which had significant consequences for Lotterer and his Porsche team, has now been overturned following a comprehensive review of the incident.

Originally, race stewards had deemed Lotterer responsible for a collision with De Vries, an incident that led to De Vries suffering a puncture and subsequently forced him to pit. This initial assessment resulted in Lotterer being handed a five-second time penalty and one penalty point on his e-license, which is Formula E’s equivalent of a Super Licence. With this penalty applied, Lotterer was initially recorded as finishing the Jakarta E-Prix in a disappointing 11th position, just outside the points-paying places.

The initial decision was stark and succinct, stating simply that “the driver of car 36 [Lotterer] caused a collision in [turn eight] with car 17 [de Vries].” This straightforward conclusion left little room for immediate dispute, cementing Lotterer’s provisional demotion in the standings.

However, an appeal lodged by the Porsche team prompted a meticulous re-examination of the incident. Ahead of the Marrakech E-Prix, scheduled for the following weekend, stewards thoroughly reviewed all available video evidence and telemetry data. This deeper dive revealed a critical new element: De Vries’ car had, in fact, suffered a puncture prior to the impact. Furthermore, analysis showed that De Vries’ speed had unexpectedly dropped by 10 kilometres per hour relative to the pace Lotterer would have anticipated for a car in that position. It was this unforeseen deceleration, rather than Lotterer’s direct culpability, that was ultimately identified as the causal factor in the collision.

The updated decision from the stewards provides a detailed rationale for the reversal: “There is a significant and relevant new element which was unavailable to the parties seeking the review at the time of the decision concerned. The stewards cancel the five-second time penalty. The stewards withdraw one penalty point (now two in total). The stewards give the proxy to the stewards of the Marrakech Formula E-Prix to sign the amended final results of the Jakarta Formula E-Prix.” This statement not only nullifies the penalty but also acknowledges the integrity of the appeal process and the importance of exhaustive evidence review.

In their revised ruling, the stewards further clarified their findings, stating: “an issue with a flat tyre let the driver of car 17 reduce his speed at the beginning of [turn seven] more than usual and he brakes earlier for T8. The speed was 10kph less between [turn seven] and [eight]. Mr Lotterer was not aware of this and he hit car 17 at the rear. Due to the tyre deflation car 36 had no opportunity to avoid the collision. The stewards consider the case as a normal racing incident.” This re-evaluation fundamentally shifts the blame from Lotterer to an unavoidable racing circumstance, highlighting the nuanced judgments required in top-tier motorsport.

As a direct consequence of the penalty being rescinded, André Lotterer now rightfully claims eighth position in the final classification of the Jakarta E-Prix, securing valuable championship points for himself and Porsche. This change, however, has a ripple effect on other drivers who had benefited from his initial demotion. His team-mate Pascal Wehrlein is now demoted to ninth place, Sam Bird falls to tenth, and Sébastien Buemi, who had initially secured a point, unfortunately drops out of the points-scoring positions entirely. While Lotterer’s rise boosts his individual tally, Wehrlein’s slight demotion sees him fall to 10th in the drivers’ championship standings. Interestingly, Lotterer, Buemi, and Bird’s overall championship positions remain largely unchanged, underscoring how tightly contested the middle of the field is in Formula E.

Formula 1 Teams Granted Overnight Tyre Blanket Use at Silverstone

In anticipation of challenging weather conditions, Formula 1 teams competing in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend have been granted special permission to utilize overnight tyre blankets. This strategic allowance is designed to mitigate the effects of potentially low ambient temperatures and ensure optimal tyre performance and safety for the race.

Forecasts for Silverstone indicate maximum temperatures in the high teens (°C), with overnight lows expected to dip significantly to between 10-11°C. Furthermore, rain is also predicted, adding another layer of complexity to tyre management. Maintaining consistent tyre temperatures is crucial in Formula 1 for both performance and structural integrity, as cold tyres can be prone to graining, blistering, and reduced grip, posing risks to drivers.

The specific instruction issued to the teams clarifies the parameters for this special dispensation: “In addition to the minimum heating times and temperatures specified in the Pirelli Event Preview, competitors will be permitted to leave their tyres wrapped in blankets and heating to a maximum temperature of 30C throughout the nights in order to minimise any issues relating to the colder overnight ambient temperatures.” This measure provides teams with greater flexibility in managing their tyre strategy, ensuring that tyres are closer to their operational temperature range at the start of each day’s sessions, thereby enhancing driver safety and competitive conditions on track.

FIA Formula 3 World Cup Excluded from Macau Grand Prix for Third Consecutive Year

The prestigious FIA Formula 3 World Cup will once again be absent from the Macau Grand Prix schedule this year, marking the third consecutive cancellation since 2020. This decision, confirmed by the World Motor Sport Council, underscores the ongoing global challenges impacting international sporting events, particularly those with significant logistical complexities.

The Macau Grand Prix is revered as one of the most demanding and iconic street circuit races in the world, serving as a traditional proving ground for aspiring Formula 1 talent. The FIA Formula 3 World Cup, as a standalone event within the Grand Prix, typically attracts the best young drivers from around the globe, all vying for victory on the unforgiving Guia Circuit. Its cancellation for another year is a significant blow to the junior motorsport calendar and to young drivers hoping to make their mark on such a historic stage.

The official announcement regarding the cancellation, made public today, attributes the decision directly to the lingering effects of the global health crisis: “The FIA Formula 3 World Cup in Macau will not take place in 2022 due to ongoing restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.” While disappointing for fans and competitors alike, the decision reflects a cautious approach to international travel and large-scale gatherings, prioritizing public health and logistical feasibility in the face of evolving global circumstances.

Formula E Unveils Calendar for Inaugural ‘Gen3’ Season with New Venues

Formula E, the world’s leading electric single-seater championship, has received approval from the FIA for its highly anticipated 2023 calendar. This schedule marks the beginning of the groundbreaking ‘Gen3’ era, promising faster, lighter, and more powerful cars. While the calendar features a compelling mix of established and new venues, three race locations are still awaiting final confirmation, adding an element of suspense to the upcoming season.

One of the most notable changes for the 2023 season is its unusual starting point. The championship is set to kick off in Mexico City in January, a departure from recent tradition. For the past four seasons, Saudi Arabia has hosted the opening round, and it was widely believed that the country held exclusive rights to stage the curtain-raiser for at least a decade. This shift suggests a strategic re-evaluation of the championship’s global footprint and commercial partnerships, potentially opening doors for other regions to host pivotal early-season events.

The ‘Gen3’ cars represent a significant leap forward in electric racing technology. They are designed to be the fastest, lightest, and most efficient electric race cars ever built, capable of speeds up to 320 km/h (200 mph) and featuring regenerative braking at both the front and rear axles. This new generation of cars is expected to usher in a new era of even more competitive and thrilling racing, showcasing advanced sustainable technology on city streets around the world.

The 2023 calendar integrates a diverse range of locations, reflecting Formula E’s commitment to global outreach and sustainable urban racing. New additions like Hyderabad, India, and São Paulo, Brazil, underscore the championship’s expansion into key emerging markets for electric vehicles. These races not only bring the excitement of motorsport to new audiences but also serve as platforms to promote e-mobility and sustainable practices in densely populated urban environments. The three ‘TBA’ slots on the calendar suggest ongoing negotiations or strategic flexibility, allowing the championship to potentially add more high-profile cities or adapt to evolving global conditions. These unconfirmed venues will be keenly watched by fans and industry observers alike, as they could signify further exciting developments for the series.

Date	Country	City
14th January	Mexico	Mexico City
27th and 28th January	Saudi Arabia	Diriyah (two races)
11th February	India	Hyderabad
25th February	TBA	TBA
11th March	TBA	TBA
25th March	Brazil	Sao Paulo
22nd April	Germany	Berlin
6th May	Monaco	Monaco
20th and 21st May	South Korea	Seoul (two races)
3rd and 4th June	Indonesia	Jakarta (two races)
24th June	TBA	TBA
15th and 16th July	Italy	Rome (two races)
29th and 30th July	United Kingdom	London (two races)

Fourth Driver Takes Up Charouz Formula 3 Seat Amidst Funding Challenges

The Formula 3 race seat at Charouz Racing System, which began the season with British F3 runner-up Ayrton Simmons, has now seen its fourth different driver behind the wheel. This revolving door of talent highlights the persistent financial challenges and competitive pressures faced by drivers and smaller teams in junior single-seater categories.

Ayrton Simmons competed solely in the opening Bahrain round before a lack of sufficient funding forced his premature exit from the championship. Following his departure, the seat was then occupied by David Schumacher for the Imola round, and subsequently by Lirim Zendeli for the Barcelona event. Both drivers brought their own experience to the team, but the continuous change in personnel underscores the precarious nature of securing and maintaining a full season budget in Formula 3.

For the upcoming Silverstone round, Zdeněk Chovanec has been announced as the latest driver to take on the Charouz seat. Chovanec is no stranger to the team, having raced for Charouz for a significant portion of the second half of the 2021 F3 season. His return might offer a degree of familiarity and continuity, but the overarching challenge remains. Notably, no driver in this particular Charouz seat has yet managed to score a single point this season, reflecting both the highly competitive nature of Formula 3 and the difficulties faced by teams operating with limited resources and inconsistent driver lineups. The journey through junior motorsport is often as much about financial backing as it is about raw talent, a reality that this Charouz F3 seat vividly illustrates.

Social Media Highlights

A curated selection of notable posts and updates from Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms, capturing key discussions and moments from the motorsport community:

The @FIA has confirmed no changes to the two DRS zones at @SilverstoneUK for this weekend’s #BritishGP:https://t.co/6g3pPaQ53A #F1

— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) June 29, 2022

It was really strange with the crosswinds. The wind picked up, I had a little snap and lost it immediately. I saw the barrier approaching and then felt the biggest impact I had in my life. They found the gearbox 100m down the track. Luckily I got off without a scratch.

— Giedo van der Garde (@GvanderGarde) June 29, 2022

A small track update has been release:

Nurburgring 2018 v2,23
– Removed offensive graffiti

Available to download next time you restart your Steam client.#rFactor2 #simracing #esports

— rFactor 2 (@rFactor2) June 29, 2022

We stand against racism and discrimination in all its forms. pic.twitter.com/pagSTTtZVY

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) June 29, 2022

https://twitter.com/paulocoelho/status/1541827069922926593

It’s great to see so many united with @LewisHamilton in their messaging. Racism is a societal issue and it makes no exception for sports. Statements and words are a starting point but there needs to be action for change #lesswordsmoreaction !

— Naomi Schiff Racing (@NaomiSchiff) June 28, 2022

MP Motorsport is pleased to be a part of the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy.

The winner of the 2022 RMYTA will be offered a full season in Spanish Formula 4 with MP. pic.twitter.com/dfwxJiRC09

— MP Motorsport (@OfficialMPteam) June 29, 2022

Ellie Williams is our Sub Assembly Coordinator, and with her extensive motorsport experience, she certainly knows a lot about F1. #RacHer pic.twitter.com/wF7XpJaJi8

— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) June 29, 2022

It’s disappointing, not least because I avoided the virus for over two years, and it also kept me away from @fosgoodwood last weekend. But when I’m fortunate enough to have these opportunities in the first place it’s not something to sulk over.

— Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) June 29, 2022

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

Essential Motorsport Links

Explore a collection of insightful articles and news from across the motorsport world, offering diverse perspectives on the latest developments, analyses, and key discussions:

‘I have a lot of faith in McLaren’: British star Norris (Daily Mail)

“It’s obvious the improvements we have made it’s just the next step to really go from top of the midfield to the Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes kind of group. But that’s the hardest step to take out of all it it.”

Motorsport UK condemns racist and discriminatory language and behaviours (Motorsport UK)

Mike Bugembe, Chair of the Motorsport UK Racial Diversity Sub-committee, commented, ‘As part of Motorsport UK, I and the members of the Racial Diversity Sub-committee are tasked to increase racial diversity throughout UK motorsport. We give our unyielding solidarity and support to Sir Lewis Hamilton in light of the racial abuse he has endured on the global stage.’

Jamie Chadwick aims for F1 but unsure women can cope with physical demands (Guardian)

Chadwick: ‘There is a lot of talent that is younger than me coming through that could have great success, but there are details within the sport that have been a limiting factor previously. Trying to understand those and changing them – even if that is not for me but for the next generation coming through – is going to be important.’

‘The inconsistency with which penalties are applied by stewards damages the fairness of Moto GP’ (Motorsport Magazine)

“Inevitably, the Assen decision has lit up social media, with some fans suggesting it was a cynical ploy to spice up the championship, like the infamous decision by Formula 1’s race director Michael Masi in last year’s season-ending Abu Dhabi F1 race, which almost certainly changed the outcome of the championship.”

Liz Brooks: ‘We believe there’s performance to be found in a diverse and inclusive workforce’ (Females in Motorsport)

‘We fundamentally believe there’s performance to be found in a diverse and inclusive workforce,’ Lizzie says. ‘If you look around the room and only see people who look like you, from the same background, you’ll inevitably get the same solutions.’

Bank of Indonesia: Jakarta’s Economic Growth Is Predicted to Skyrocket This Year, Thanks to the Formula E Event (Democrazy (Indonesian))

The Indonesian central bank estimates that DKI Jakarta’s economy in 2022 will grow in the range of 5.3 to 6.1 percent or higher than the previous year’s 3.56 percent. In the economic report of the DKI Jakarta Province in the May 2022 edition, it is stated that the agenda of electric car racing, Formula E Jakarta and national and international music concerts will boost household consumption performance in 2022.

Ray tracing in F1 22 is not worth the penalty to performance (PC Gamer)

“It’s more that the performance impact of such beautiful ray traced lighting is so dire in F1 22—even with a helping hand from the game’s two available upscaling technologies—I find it altogether too big an ask to enable ray tracing on in any capacity. As much as 83% of your gaming rig’s performance up in smoke, just like that.”

We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it in via the contact form.

Comment of the Day: Voices from the Community

We feature a thought-provoking comment from our readers, reflecting on the important discussions within the motorsport community:

@Becken-lima rejects Nelson Piquet’s claim he did not refer to Lewis Hamilton using a racist expression:

I’m a black man from Brazil and let’s make this clear: Piquet was absolutely racist in his comments about Hamilton.

I feel ashamed by his words as a Brazilian and disgusted as a black man. My father was a huge Piquet fan and it’s sad to see that his hero is a resented racist.

So, don´t buy his false apologies and the way he is twisting the word’s meaning in that context.

You only have to visit the big Brazilian news outlets to witness a collective condemnation of his actions.
@Becken-lima

Happy Birthday to Motorsport Enthusiasts!

Wishing a very happy birthday to our fellow fans celebrating today: Rhys, Mike-E, and Optmist! May your day be filled with joy and fast cars.

On This Day in Motorsport History

Looking back at significant moments from motorsport’s past, here’s what happened on this day:

• 20 years ago today, Cristiano da Matta triumphed in the CART IndyCar round at Chicago, clinching victory by a mere six-tenths of a second over Bruno Junqueira in a thrilling finish.