Beijing ePrix Ratings: NEXTEV TCR

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Over the course of the season, ERN senior editor Laurence Thorn will be rating the performances of all drivers and teams on each ePrix weekend.

This time around, he takes a look at NEXTEV TCR and their two drivers, Nelson Piquet Jr and Oliver Turvey, in Beijing.

[/vc_column_text][cq_vc_tabs contentcolor1=”#1a1a1a” contentbg1=”#ffffff” tabstitle=”NEXTEV TCR – 6.5/10,Nelson Piquet Jr – 5.5/10,Oliver Turvey – 7.5/10″ tabsicon=”” titlecolor=”#5da73c” titlebg=”#ffffff” titlehovercolor=”#ffffff” titlehoverbg=”#5da73c” rotatetabs=”0″][tabitem]

NEXTEV TCR – 6.5/10
Difficult weekend saved by Turvey’s points

The team that took Nelson Piquet Jr to the inaugural Formula E drivers’ championship kicked off the second Formula E campaign after a troubled pre-season testing period, in which their one-gear, two-motor powertrain was hit with teething issues. Beijing saw a continuation of those, as limited running in free practice led to a poor qualifying session in which Oliver Turvey qualified 15th, while reigning champion Piquet had the indignation of taking the 18th and last slot on the grid. The early stages did not go much better for either driver, however both were able to save energy well and benefit from a Full Course Yellow during the pit stop phase in order to leap into the top ten. While Piquet was stopped by a technical issue that prevented him from finishing on the lead lap, Turvey was able to drive to the end in sixth place, relieving some of the pressure on the Chinese squad after a tough start to the season.

[/tabitem]
[tabitem]

Nelson Piquet Jr (qualified 18th, finished 15th) – 5.5/10
Powertrain efficiency is only bright spot after nightmare start to title defence

After his inspirational drive to the inaugural Formula E championship back in June at Battersea Park, Piquet Jr got his title defence off to the worst possible start in Beijing, as he struggled with powertrain issues and a lack of running in free practice – including a crash in free practice one – which led to 18th and last place on the grid. The early stages of the race didn’t bring an improvement for the champion, as he ran in last position right up until the pit stop phase. However, Piquet was able to carry over one of his biggest strengths from last season – battery management – to get an extra lap on track compared to many competitors. This, coupled with the timing of a Full Course Yellow, vaulted Piquet up into ninth, however just two laps later he ground to a halt on track with a technical issue on his second car. Although he was able to recover and finish the race, Piquet was well outside the points and two laps down by the end.

[/tabitem]
[tabitem]

Oliver Turvey (qualified 15th, finished 6th) – 7.5/10
Strong points finish salvages NEXTEV’s weekend

After an impressive Formula E debut in London back in June, Turvey has signed up for a full campaign with NEXTEV this time around. After a challenging pre-season testing period, 15th on the grid suggested a tough race day for the British driver, although he did qualify three places ahead of team-mate Piquet. After being overtaken by Antonio Felix da Costa in the early stages of the race, Turvey focused on energy saving until the car swap phase which meant that, like Piquet, he was able to stop one lap later than most, thus benefitting massively from a Full Course Yellow. This put Turvey right up into seventh, a position he was able to hold until the end, even improving to sixth after Nicolas Prost retired. A result that was definitely helped by lucky timing, however also owed a lot to Turvey’s clever driving in the first half of the race which allowed him to move up into the points.

[/tabitem][/cq_vc_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Images courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]