ePrixView: Punta Del Este 2015

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

After two very different races, Formula E heads to South America for its race this weekend in Punta Del Este.

The teams have made the long journey to the Uruguayan city but for everyone that can’t follow them, we’ll fill you in on the track and who to look out for.

The Track

2.785 km/1.7 miles in length
Anticlockwise
Minimum pit stop time: 64 seconds

20 turns – There are many high-speed chicanes including the first corner, which has been modified since last year. The right-left chicane is now left-right.

The Timings

Qualifying begins at midday (3pm GMT) on Saturday 19th December, with the race starting at 4pm local time (7pm GMT) the same day. The schedule returns to normal with two free practice sessions (the first starting 8:15 am, the second 10:30 am local time).

Who to Watch

After a disaster of a race in Putrajaya last month, Renault e.dams will be trying to get back to the winning form we saw in Beijing. Sebastien Buemi won last year’s Punta Del Este race and is much happier with the track after the change to the track layout. Buemi, as long as the problems we saw in Putrajaya don’t come back, has to be one of the favourites.

Current championship leader Lucas Di Grassi has consistently been at top form since testing in the summer, and will undoubtedly continue that in South America.

We still haven’t seen a great race from NEXTEV and current champion Nelson Piquet will be looking to change that in Punta Del Este.

Rookies

With Nick Heidfeld resting after surgery, replacement Oliver Rowland will be getting into the Formula E car for the first time this weekend. His record in junior formulae make him look promising and, with the M2Electro already proven a podium winning car, Rowland could make an exciting addition to the Formula E grid.

Six other drivers will make their Punta Del Este debut this weekend: Robin Frijns, Loic Duval, Oliver Turvey, Nathanael Berthon, Jacques Villeneuve, and Simona de Silvestro.

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

Image courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

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