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ePrixview: Buenos Aires 2016

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It’s back! As we approach the fourth round of the 2015-2016 Formula E Championship, all eyes are on two drivers that have dominated the season so far. Buemi and Di Grassi have been in competition with one another since the all-electric series began in 2014, however last year neither driver managed to get their hands on the championship trophy; that belonged to Nelson Piquet Jr.

With Piquet having a disastrous start to the season, Sebastien Buemi and Lucas Di Grassi both have a high chance of clinching the championship this year. So, who is likely to come out on top this weekend?

Taking a look back at last year’s results, Buemi and Di Grassi were nowhere to be seen as the exciting race came to a close. Although Buemi had scored the pole position only hours earlier, he was forced to retired 23 laps into the 35 lap race due to a suspension issue. Only laps later, Di Grassi faced the same problem, a result from the track’s fast chicane in turn 8 and 9.

The track, 2.479kms in length, held a fantastic show last year – for many fans, their race of the season. Including plenty of high-speed chicanes, hairpins and corners, the fast and funky layout is thanks to Santiago Garcia Remohi, a local architect.

Last year’s Buenos Aires ePrix winner, Antonio Felix da Costa, gave high praise to the track layout but warned of the weather in Puerto Madero.

“Last year was my first time in Buenos Aires, and Argentina actually. We do some special training dedicated to [the heat]. It’s never a big issue for us drivers and I think it’s a bigger issue for the cars. I don’t think any car at the end of the day stopped with a temperature problem (in Putrajaya) but it definitely slowed everybody down, it altered everyone’s strategies and how much everyone was using the regeneration. It’s certainly very tricky and changes everything for the teams and the drivers, and it’s very easy to make a mistake.

“If you can line someone up there’s a good overtaking spot at turn four. Obviously turn one and then turn seven, and I think before the last chicane is also a good opportunity. Everybody is very sensible in Formula E, and that’s a good thing. Every driver has a lot of respect for each other. We have not seen in season two any stupid crashes from the racing so far and that’s the beauty of Formula E when you bring professional drivers together, it gives for good racing. I think this is where we really have an edge over other categories.”

Obviously the win in Buenos Aires has been Antonio’s only win in the championship so far, however the skill he displayed meant he won the race with a lead of +5.354s. His ‘slow and steady’ approach meant he was able to keep clear from the troubles his rivals suffered and take the spectacular win.

Nonetheless it looks like this weekend could belong to Buemi. Although he didn’t finish the race last year with a mechanical failure, he set seriously impressive times in sessions last year, topping both practice results and sealing the pole position too.

Sebastian has also shown dominance this year and after three rounds, leads the championship with his two wins. Even if Di Grassi is biting at the heels of Buemi, only one point behind him in the driver’s standings.

Both Buemi and Di Grassi have assembled an impressive array of statistics ahead of this weekend’s racing. Sebastien is on a run of nine consecutive point-scoring races, with Lucas not far behind on six successive finishes where the Brazilian has earned championship points.

With Sebastien Buemi clinching the win back at the Punta del Este ePrix in December, don’t forget we still haven’t had a back-to-back winner in Formula E yet. Could this be the weekend?

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Image courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

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