Forward of the 2 races in Germany, which might be held on a brand new configuration on the Tempelhof Airport circuit, the Assault Mode period has been decreased to 6 minutes for the opening contest and simply 4 minutes for the sequel, for use throughout two activations.
Beforehand this season, a complete of eight minutes of Assault Mode has been out there, whereby drivers go off the racing line by designated detection factors to activate a further enhance of energy – the 350kW output the identical mode used within the qualifying duels.
The additional pressure positioned on the battery, although, has meant the FIA and battery provider WAE (previously referred to as Williams Superior Engineering) have taken steps as a precaution to raised defend the models, beginning this weekend.
“I perceive why they’re doing it clearly with the battery points, they don’t need to stress the battery in 350kW for too lengthy,” stated reigning champion Jake Dennis.
“If it needs to be achieved, it needs to be achieved. I’m not for or towards it, it’s simply a part of the state of affairs we’re in and it’s going to be the identical for everybody so it doesn’t actually change that a lot.”
When requested if this was a problem that had been raised by driver and groups, Dennis insisted they have been being led by battery provider WAE on the matter.
“I feel it’s extra from Williams, what they’ve put ahead,” added Dennis.
Photograph by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images
“It’s clearly on Williams to make these choices, now we have nothing to do with that, it’s on them to determine how a lot Assault Mode we’re allowed.
“It’s bought nothing to do with the battery temperature this weekend, it’s not scorching sufficient, it’s simply the vehicles are so quick now in 350kW that it places numerous vitality, numerous stress by the facility unit itself. It’s a part of the state of affairs we’re in.”
A number of drivers have suffered from de-rating in races this yr resulting in a discount in energy, notably in Sao Paulo, the place lengthy straights together with excessive temperatures brought on overheating issues.
Whereas all batteries have been refurbished by WAE within the low season and totally examined within the aftermath of the Valencia pre-season testing incident, when an remoted difficulty brought on a battery to blow up, the pure ageing of the models is inflicting unexpected points.
“The batteries in the meanwhile, they’re growing older slowly, race-by-race as a result of we do extra cycles,” added Lucas di Grassi.
“I don’t assume it’s an issue with the batteries however in some races, in scorching races like Sao Paulo the place you lose numerous energy and recuperate loads, the battery is struggling extra with temperature points.
“Right here it received’t be an issue with the battery temperature.”
With sooner, wider circuits in Shanghai and Portland set to carry races within the coming weeks, additional precautions could also be applied.
An announcement from the FIA stated: “The period of Assault Mode for the Berlin E-Prix has been decreased as a part of the conventional and steady strategy of automotive life cycle monitoring.
“The Sporting Rules have been particularly designed to permit for this flexibility in format.”