The making of a Formula E circuit
Ever since its first race in 2014, Formula E has been known for breaking with the mold and doing things a little differently – and the same goes for track design. The current campaign started with new stops in Hyderabad (India) and Cape Town (South Africa), with Sao Paulo being the third in a row.
Unlike other circuit racing championships, the vast majority of circuits visited by Formula E are temporary rather than permanent, built in the heart of some of the world’s leading cities and built and homologated on the eve of the event thanks to a close collaboration between the FIA, Formula E , the National Sport Authority (ASN) and the local organizer.
The process for entering the series normally begins around 18 months before the scheduled race when an expression of interest from a representative of the host city is registered with championship organizer Formula E.
Oli McCrudden is the Urban Development Director at Formula E, who manages relationships with a city during this early stage. “It’s a bit like dating. Both sides have a clear vision of what the future should look like, but first of all they need to be sure that they are with someone who shares the same vision. It requires open communication, collaboration, understanding and compromise. All of these qualities, which are essential for a successful personal relationship, really apply in a big way in our world and lay the foundation for a strong, fruitful partnership.”
A circuit designer is then commissioned to design a circuit proposal, which is then evaluated by Formula E through a feasibility study – taking into account the requirements described in Appendix O of the FIA International Sporting Code, the required construction effort and the positioning of the main structures. Contracts are exchanged once all deliverables are clearly understood.
Nine months before the event, the ASN sends a formal application for homologation to the FIA Safety Department, who in turn appoints an FIA Track Inspector and runs simulations based on the drawing provided by the designer to validate the various safety features of the circuit – from barriers to the run-off zones – and suggests necessary changes.
The FIA Circuits Commission – an organization made up of track safety experts from ASNs around the world – is further evaluating the document produced by the safety department, and with four months left until the lights go out, the official FIA Circuit Inspector , FIA experts and Formula E staff will visit the site to approve the track layout and all peripheral structures, including the locations of the pit garages, race control and the medical center.
The next step is to work with the local ASN to define the safety plan for the event and calculate the number of stewards and firefighters needed for potential recovery situations. The FIA Technical Department then runs simulations with the latest track layout about a month and a half before the E-Prix to determine the race length; Should there not be enough braking zones for energy recovery, additional modifications can be requested.
Once the final layout has been validated by all parties, the FIA Sport Department will share it – one month before the event – with the Championship teams who will then start their own simulator preparations and have the opportunity to report any significant concerns.
Two weeks before the race and under the supervision of Formula E, track construction begins, with FIA experts convening in the final phase to sign off the track’s safety features and make last-minute practical changes such as: B. adding security barriers or modifying vehicle access recovery.
On the Thursday morning of race weekend, there will be a walkthrough with all relevant stakeholders – the FIA Race Director, safety car drivers, sport delegates and e-safety delegates, as well as the track builders and Formula E staff – to ensure everyone is safe with the layout is familiar and allow any 11th-Hour corrections.
The following day, FIA Track Inspector Scot Elkins – who also fills the role of FIA Formula E Race Director – confirms that the track was built to the final reference plan, which in principle has been approved by the FIA Track Commission. He prepares a detailed inspection report and, if all criteria are met, asks for the release of the circuit license – signed by the President of the FIA - before the shakedown. Then the tracking action can take place.
A few months later, a track review group – made up of members from the FIA, Formula E and three driver representatives – meets to discuss possible improvements to the track for future editions.
“Formula E is unique in the motorsport world because it mostly races on temporary inner-city circuits,” confirms Elkins. “This requires a completely different approach to track construction and acceptance, all of which can be done in a relatively short amount of time.
“Much needs to be done during this period to ensure that the track in question is, above all, safe and meets the general standards expected in an FIA World Championship. Throughout the process, the FIA works hand-in-hand with Formula E, as well as the local promoter and ASN, and the success of the recent new races in Hyderabad and Cape Town is a testament to the efficiency and effectiveness of this close collaboration. ”