5. Collisions are a serious series problem
As already mentioned, Vergne is one of a growing number of drivers to have voiced his disapproval of the amount of contact in Formula E – and once again, in Sanya, a number of drivers, including former champion Lucas di Grassi, found themselves on the end of assaults from other drivers.
The trouble is contact is inevitable in this series because of the tight nature of Formula E’s city tracks. Pop-up one-day race meetings are the USP for this all-electric series, which can take motorsport into inner-city areas where traditional combustion engine racing cars just wouldn’t be welcome.
The trouble is it tends to mean the circuits are created on roads that are entirely unsuitable for racing. And with 22 of the world’s most competitive and ambitious racing drivers vying for position, punts, sideswipes and missed braking points are part of the game.
The question the series is facing at every round right now is how much contact is acceptable before racing turns into farce? A solution, with clearly defined rules on what is allowed and what isn’t, will be very hard to define.
Photography courtesy of Motorsport Images.