An in-Depth Look into the Upcoming Puebla E-Prix

Less than four weeks separate the second leg of the 2020/2021 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship from getting started in Mexico.

ERN spoke with Jorge Abed, Secretary-General from OMDAI | FIA Mexico (Mexico’s governing body for motorsport), who kindly took time out from a busy schedule to share his thoughts on the first-ever CBMM Niobium Puebla E-Prix.

The first international racing event celebrated in Mexico in a year – due to the Covid-19 outbreak, and the second in the 2020/2021 season to welcome spectators, will be held at Autodromo Miguel E. Abed on June 19-20.

“For the circuit, it is a great surprise and challenge to be able to receive the E-Prix. It was completely unexpected since Formula E only races in the [city] streets. Although in Mexico, the race has always been [hosted] in a formal circuit,” Abed said.

Omdai Secretary-General further commented: “A different approach would need to be considered, in order to fulfill all the requirements of such an important series and to host the public in the middle of a pandemic. Nevertheless, it is a challenge that is well accepted, and we look forward to accomplishing.”

Adding: “It is with great joy that the circuit received an FIA Grade 2 in its history after hosting the WTCC for four years.”

The FIA homologated track is situated in the city of Amozoc about 30 km (18.64 mi) east of Puebla, central-southern region of Mexico.

Puebla boasts magnificent Baroque architecture from the 15th century; a walk through the Historical Center, recognized as World Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, will unveil the cathedral, with two centuries of history to tell.

Autodromo Miguel E. Abed

The circuit features multiple configurations allowing to stage a range of racing competitions, from go-karting, NASCAR Mexico to the World Touring Car Championship (2005-2009).

Although it is yet subject to homologation, Abed is confident about complying with the safety conditions and standards required by the FIA for the license to be granted.

“It will receive a Grade 3E license, which is a special homologation for Formula E circuits,” he remarks.

What changes can be expected to the track layout comparing to the one used by other racing series?

NASCAR race is in the oval of the circuit, which is only used partly in the 2.9 km layout. Compared to the WTCC, the Formula E circuit will try to replicate the corners and challenges the [Gen 2] cars face in a street circuit.
Therefore, there will be a way to play around the actual circuit, to try to make it more to what Formula E usually race.

The first-ever E-Prix in Puebla will use the international short course, spanning 2.9 km (1.8 mi).

Asked about how the arrival of the series to the country has helped in promoting electric mobility, Abed highlighted: “For the last six years in which Formula E has been coming [to Mexico], it has coincided with a duplication of the number of electric vehicles sold in the country.

“For sure, this year [the series] will continue to encourage the promotion of electric mobility in Mexico.”

The Puebla E-Prix, a doubleheader event, will be held with a limited number of spectators.

A statement issued by OMDAI early in May read that the circuit will operate at around a 30% capacity, which translates to welcoming 10,000 spectators daily in the stands, with all due health measures and protocols in place.

However, the tickets will not be for sale but strategically allocated to fans through different dynamics developed by public and private institutions.

The purpose is to allow those people working on the front line of the pandemic, to have the opportunity to attend the Puebla E-Prix, as a recognition of their work.

LATEST NEWS: DRIVER SWAP

On Friday, the American team Dragon / Penske Autosport announced Joel Eriksson as its official designated Reserve Driver for the rest of season seven.

The Swedish driver will be stepping in for Nico Mueller at the wheel of Penske EV-5 at the Puebla E-Prix, due to the German´s previous commitment in the DTM series.

“To race in Formula E has always been a dream since the championship started, and to be given the chance finally feels kind of unreal,” Eriksson said.

“There’s a lot of work in front of us, but I have a great team behind me, so I know they will do all they can to make me as prepared as possible before arriving in Mexico.”

LAST TIME IN MEXICO

Mexico has served as home to Formula E on five occasions, with races hosted at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, located in Mexico City.

The facility currently serves as a COVID-19 field hospital, which has led the series to move to the circuit in the State of Puebla, where the Autodromo Miguel E. Abed will welcome the all-electric series.

In 2020, Jaguar Racing´s Mitch Evans took the victory at the Mexico City E-Prix; DS Techeetah’s Antonio Felix Da Costa and Nissan e.dams Sebastien Buemi completed the podium.

SEASON 7 STANDINGS

After a thrilling Monaco E-Prix – which Da Costa won, Envision Virgin Racing´s Robin Frjns leads the driver’s championship by 62 points, followed by Mercedes EQ Nyck de Vries with 57 points, and Evans in third place with 54 points.

Defending champion Da Costa stands fourth with DS Techeetah (52), while Evan´s teammate Sam Bird (49) rounds the top 5.

Following the two-race event in Puebla, Formula E will head to New York, Brooklyn on July 10-11, London’s ExCeL centre on July 24-25, and Berlin on August 14 and 15.

Featured image courtesy of OMDAI, by order of appearance, Jesus Quintero, Hector Lozano Airport Commander, Mr. Jorge Abed, OMDAI | FIA Mexico Secretary-General), Mr. Alvaro Buenaventura, Latin America Director Formula E, Mr. Flavio Abed, OMDAI Circuit Director.

Featured photo content courtesy of Formula E Media / Dragon Penske Autosport.