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 diminished 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 accessible, whereby drivers go off the racing line by means of designated detection factors to activate an extra increase 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 often known 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 wish to stress the battery in 350kW for too lengthy,” mentioned reigning champion Jake Dennis.
“If it needs to be executed, it needs to be executed. I’m not for or in opposition to 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 had 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, we’ve got nothing to do with that, it’s on them to determine how a lot Assault Mode we’re allowed.
“It’s acquired nothing to do with the battery temperature this weekend, it’s not scorching sufficient, it’s simply the automobiles are so quick now in 350kW that it places plenty of power, plenty of stress by means of 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 precipitated overheating issues.
Whereas all batteries had been refurbished by WAE within the low season and completely examined within the aftermath of the Valencia pre-season testing incident, when an remoted difficulty precipitated a battery to blow up, the pure ageing of the models is inflicting unexpected points.
“The batteries in the meanwhile, they’re getting older slowly, race-by-race as a result of we do extra cycles,” added Lucas di Grassi.
“I don’t suppose it’s an issue with the batteries however in some races, in scorching races like Sao Paulo the place you lose plenty of energy and recuperate so much, the battery is struggling extra with temperature points.
“Right here it gained’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.
A press release from the FIA mentioned: “The period of Assault Mode for the Berlin E-Prix has been diminished as a part of the traditional and steady technique of automotive life cycle monitoring.
“The Sporting Laws have been particularly designed to permit for this flexibility in format.”