Formula E looks back on fantastic 2014

The first race in 2015 is about to get started in Argentina. The Buenos Aires ePrix kicks off today at 8:15 AM local time. The year 2014 saw the new FIA Formula E Championship usher in a new era in motorsports. Let’s take a look back at what is being hailed a fantastic year.

“Well, what a year it’s been for Formula E,” writes Formula E on their website. Indeed, momentum for the all-new, all-electric international racing series snowballed from the Formula E car’s public debut in Las Vegas on January 6 to the inaugural race in Beijing on September 13. And it continued to grow to the end of the year when the checkered flag was waived on the third race of the season in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Formula E says the year was “fantastic” – we say it was not only fantastic, it was electric!

An important year
The FIA Formula E Championship’s inaugural year was obviously an important one, and it got off to a quick start. Just six days into the New Year, the series was grabbing headlines in Las Vegas. The Spark-Renault SRT_01E Formula E car was shown to the public for the very first time. Lucas di Grassi provided an eyebrow-raising display that included a drive down the iconic Las Vegas Strip. Weeks later Daniel Abt and di Grassi became the first two drivers to officially throw their hats in the ring, signing for Team Audi Sport Abt.

Late winter and spring proved a busy time as new race cities, teams and circuits were announced, not to mention the five pre-season testing dates in the summer that would be open to the public and free of charge, the final of which in August attracted nearly 5,000 fans.

In May, DHL delivered the first 10 Formula E cars to the operational headquarters at Donington Park, and the teams had their work cut out for them to prepare for the shakedown and testing in the summer. We delivered the second set of cars in mid-June.

Heat of the summer
The summer months were all about testing and getting to know the fully-electric cars. A rain-soaked shakedown session in June was followed by four sun-drenched official test days at Donington Park. Winner of the most recent ePrix in Punte del Este, Sabastien Buemi, turned the most heads during the first four test sessions in July. The final month before traveling to Beijing for the first-ever Formula E race saw the teams, drivers and race organizers stage an event simulation that included a full standing start and car change pit stops following the same timetable as all one-day Formula E events would in the 2014/2015 season.

New era begins
After two years in the works, the very first ePrix finally came to be in Beijing, China on September 13. The exciting first race ended with a controversial last-lap crash that allowed Lucas di Grassi to snatch the win and the honor of being the first FIA Formula E Championship race winner.

After a 10-week break, Round 2 took place in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The drivers fell in love with the well-designed circuit for good reason. It produced an entertaining, action-packed race that saw Sam Bird dominate out in front while Lucas di Grassi and Sebastien Buemi charged through the field to join him on the podium.

Formula E crossed the Pacific to ring out 2014 in Uruguay. The checkered flag at the Punta del Este, which was taken by Buemi, marked the end of the first year of a new era in motorsports.

If 2015 is even half as good as 2014, then we are in for some entertaining racing this year!

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.

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