With 16 races (in 10 totally different nations) scheduled between 13 January and 21 July, the 2024 Method E world championship season could be very dense. To deliver it to a detailed, will probably be taking up a comparatively brief – lower than 2.1km for 20 corners – however very particular monitor. It’s because the format of the London ExCel exhibition centre [a venue for the 2012 Summer Olympics] is exclusive within the season, and certainly on the planet of motorsport. Constructed on the banks of the River Thames, on the positioning of the previous Royal Victoria docks, the circuit includes round 25% of its course indoors.
Yearly since 2021, the championship’s electrical single-seaters have taken off from the guts of the constructing, which has a complete size of over a kilometre), exited for over a kilometre after which returned inside through an entry ramp. This configuration signifies that if it rains, the automobiles can be racing on a humid floor outdoors, and due to this fact dry, for simply over 500 metres. A configuration that provides curiosity to the race, but in addition further work for the engineers and drivers.
“Other than this particularity, which we all the time adapt properly to, qualifying is especially necessary on this circuit, as a result of it’s extremely tight,” says Jean-Eric Vergne, who took pole place three weeks in the past in Portland. “This season, we now have fairly often reached the ultimate levels after the group levels, and our stage in qualifying offers us hope of excellent outcomes right here in London. Now we have the automobiles to battle on the entrance, and we’re decided to complete 2024 on a excessive.”
Vandoorne, DS Penske
Photograph by: Joao Filipe / DPPI
Two races to consolidate sturdy positions
Forward of London, DS Penske holds some attention-grabbing positions within the three championship rankings. Within the groups’ class, the Franco-American outfit is third behind the Jaguar and Porsche manufacturing unit groups, however forward of Porsche-powered Avalanche Andretti, with Envision (that runs Jaguar powertrains) far sufficient again to not be a priority. It is the identical story within the producers’ standings, the place the identical main trio will be discovered. This time DS Vehicles has a severe challenger in Nissan, which additionally powers McLaren, simply 5 factors behind Stellantis Motorsport.
On the drivers’ aspect, the championship continues to be open. With 129 factors, Vergne is sixth, 38 factors behind the chief. With every race paying out as much as 29 factors, something continues to be doable from an arithmetical viewpoint. On the monitor, as everybody tries to ensure of their place, the gaps must be very shut on the finish of a championship that may have stored its followers on the sting of their seats proper as much as the final race weekend. Right here too, DS Penske and Vergne are moderately aiming for a podium end.
In London, the schedule can be barely totally different, with qualifying at lunchtime, adopted by a begin at 17:00 native time.
Vergne, DS Penske
Photograph by: DPPI