Nicki Shields: “We’ve really started to build momentum!”

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Dear e-racing.net readers,

I can’t believe another season has gone by!

It’s tough to pick only a few standout moments, but one that comes to mind first has got to be the debut race in Paris. The location was unforgettable. Racing around Les Invalides and past Napoleon’s tomb. It was a phenomenal experience and encapsulates everything Formula E stands for. I think everyone was blown away with the location, having the Eiffel tower in the background and it was a great race as well!

The excitement of being on the podium when we were in Paris was also spectacular. In fact, the podiums in Formula E in general are amazing. The really cool podium was in Mexico, that was definitely one of the best podiums. Mainly because we were at a purpose built track which was quite nice for a change although it’s different to what Formula E is used to doing. It was nice to go to a purpose built track and it provided a completely different experience. The crowds were going mad and ecstatic!

Again, the crowds in Mexico in general were amazing, they were just so excited. The atmosphere, their passion and how they kept chanting for Salvador Duran although he wasn’t necessarily having the best day, having that support was really special for Salvador. Mexico was certainly the best podium, but the way podiums are done in Formula E is really special, that inclusion of the fans, it’s something no other series does.

It’s incredibly exciting to be a part of such an innovative championship. Formula E will never say no to an idea and they love everyone to be involved in the thought process. It is so nice to be a cog in that wheel and if something doesn’t work we won’t do it again, simple. But they’re very keen to embrace knew technologies, knew ways of doing things. Everything from the simulators to the E-sports including the race-off as well as the way we shoot things with 360-degree video. I absolutely love it and I am actually a huge technology fan anyway so Formula E is perfect as it brings together all things across broadcast, technology and motorsport in one place!

Looking ahead to next year and season three, I am so excited to have Jaguar on board, it’s great for Formula E, it’s great for the sport and it will hopefully attract other manufactures in the future. It shows their commitment to the future is electrification. The way they want to make improvements and move from race car to road car is by joining Formula E.

We also have some incredible places on the calendar next year. Hong Kong is going to be a spectacular place to start the season, right in the heart of town around Victoria Harbour. Hong Kong are already talking about it so there is going to be a lot of eyes on it. Marrakesh and Belgium will also be really cool to go to.

It is a shame about London not being included on the calendar, but Battersea isn’t a great track. It’s good to be in London but it’s not the right track. I think we can come back in season 4. It would be great if the new Mayor Sadiq Khan can get us down Pall Mall or past Buckingham Palace. If we can do it in Paris, why can’t we do it in London. If we can do it around red square and Berlin, why not London? London is supposed to be pioneering these technologies, pushing EV’s and we should also be showcasing Formula E in the centre of town.

Season one was good, we hit the ground running, season two we’ve really started to build momentum but season three is when Formula E will take the world by storm!

Nicki Shields for e-racing.net

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Images courtesy of FIA Formula E Media and Rajan Jangda

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