Buenos Aires ePrix: “It will be fun to drive”

Tomorrow Round 4 of the world’s first all-electric racing series hits the streets of Buenos Aires. Bruno Senna of Team Mahindra Racing thinks the overtake-inducing track is sure to produce some entertaining racing.

Round 4 of the FIA Formula E Championship – the Buenos Aires ePrix – is set to electrify the streets of the Argentinian capital tomorrow. Though famous for its tango, football and black coffee, the ‘Paris of South America’ has a rich motorsports history. Yet despite its popularity, there hasn´t been a major international single-seater event held there in a generation. That will change tomorrow, and the drivers are excited to be a part of this history-making event.

Rich racing history
Racing in Argentina has a rich history that stretches back to the opening decades of the 20th century, when wealthy enthusiasts took to the country’s open roads to race each other. By 1940, these races had grown longer and more organized, and in 1953 the country held the first Argentinian F1 Grand Prix. After a 12-year absence in the 1960s, the Argentine Grand Prix returned in 1972. Michael Schumacher won the last F1 race held in the country in 1998.

"Looking at the track, you have to say it’s got a good combination of corners. "(Bruno Senna, Team Mahindra Racing)

Buenos Aires Circuit
At 2.44 km in length and featuring 12 turns, the circuit is located in the popular and modern Puerto Madero district to the east of the Argentine capital. Designed by Local architect Santiago Garcia Remohi, the track includes a mix of high-speed corners, chicanes and hairpins. Drivers expect plenty of overtaking opportunities.

“Looking at the track, you have to say it’s got a good combination of corners. There’s a chicane, some high-speed turns with a change of direction and slow-speed as well,” says Team Mahindra Racing’s Bruno Senna. “I think that it could make for an interesting race and it will be fun to drive.”

“I think the main overtaking point will be into Turn 1 under braking, or maybe into T4 or even T5,” he adds. “T7 is a possible passing point, too, so it does lend itself to some potential overtakes, but we’ll have to see when we get there.”

Season so far
We´ve seen three thrilling races so far, each producing a different winner. In the season-opener in Beijing, Lucas di Grassi of Team Audi Sport Abt snatched the victory after a dramatic last lap, last corner crash between long-time race-leader e.dams-Renault’s Nicolas Prost and Venturi’s Nick Heidfeld. Round 2 in Putrajaya, Malaysia, saw Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird take the checkered flag after an impressive drive and clever battery management. Meanwhile, picturesque Punta del Este, Uruguay, produced another action-packed battle that ended with Sebastien Buemi of e.dams-Renault recording his maiden Formula E victory. As it stands, di Grassi tops the drivers’ table with Buemi and Bird tied for second place and a long way still to go in the series.

FanBoost
Don´t forget to cast your vote for your favorite driver to receive a FanBoost during the race. The three drivers with the most votes will each get an extra speed boost during the race – that’s one 5-second power boost, which temporarily increases their car’s power from 150kw (202.5bhp) to 180kw (243bhp). Be a part of this unique opportunity – after all, Formula E is the only sport in the world that allows fans to play a direct role in influencing the outcome of the race. Click here to learn more.

Drivers’ Standings (after Round 3):

1. Lucas di Grassi - 58pts
2. Sebastien Buemi - 40pts
3. Sam Bird - 40pts
4. Nicolas Prost - 24pts
5. Nelson Piquet Jr - 22pts
6. Jerome d’Ambrosio - 22pts
7. Franck Montagny - 18pts
8.  Karun Chandhok - 18pts
9. Jaime Alguersuari - 14pts
10. Oriol Servia - 14pts