Review: FIA Formula E takes New York by storm

Successful debut for FIA Formula E in New York as it stages the first ever zero-emission event in the history of the championship. Sam Bird wins both races in the Big Apple, while Lucas di Grassi keeps the title race open.

From Berlin to New York by sea

Races nine and ten of the current FIA Formula E season were contested in New York against the backdrop of the city’s glamorous skyline and under the watchful eye of the Statue of Liberty. This was the first time that the metropolis on the east coast of the USA had hosted the fully-electric single-seater racing series. It was also the first ever zero-emission event in the history of the championship.

DHL delivers Formula E for first ever zero-emissions motorsports in New York City

The equipment for the race in New York – including all 40 fully-electric Formula E cars, batteries and spare parts – was safely transported from Berlin, where the last ePrix took place, to the USA by DHL. The series’ Official Logistics Partner this time leveraged its ocean freight expertise to produces 100-times less CO2 emissions than flying in the same cargo via air. DHL is a frontrunner in environmentally sustainable logistics, having announced earlier this year its commitment to zero-emissions operations by the year 2050.

OneNYC: New York’s Plan for a Sustainable Future

Formula E as guests of the NYSE

Before the drivers ventured out onto the Brooklyn Circuit, Alejandro Agag (Founder and CEO of Formula E), Ken Allen (CEO of DHL Express), Patrizia Grieco (Chairman of Enel) and Francesco Starace (CEO of Enel) were accorded the honor of ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Enel entirely offset the emissions of the event in New York through green certificates from its portfolio of renewable energy plants, such as the Enel Green Power Stipa Nayaa 74 MW wind farm in Mexico. The wind turbines at Stipa Nayaa prevent the emission of over 133,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is the equivalent of taking 26,000 cars off the road.

The strategic partnership with Formula E inspires and educates people throughout the world to embrace sustainable technologies and practices

Ken Allen

“With our new sustainability strategy ‘Mission 2050: Zero Emission,’ Deutsche Post DHL Group has stepped up its commitment to deliver value for society and generations to come,” said Ken Allen. “The strategic partnership with Formula E inspires and educates people throughout the world to embrace sustainable technologies and practices. This provides DHL with a unique platform to demonstrate our achievements in the area of green logistics solutions and technological innovations, which will finally increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our customer supply chains.”

Bird wins the race, but Di Grassi keeps the title chase open

Formula E experienced a further novelty on Friday: because the shakedown had been preceded by heavy rain, a session had to take place on a wet track so for the first time ever. In the further course of the weekend, however, the weather conditions improved significantly, so that the two races were contested in gorgeous weather – much to the delight of the huge crowds lining the circuit.

We are only in the third year of the championship, and the debut for a car race in the heart of this metropolis is another fantastic milestone

Lucas di Grassi

The man of the race weekend in New York was undoubtedly Sam Bird. The British driver put in an impeccable performance to win on Saturday as well as Sunday. Although Lucas di Grassi missed out on the podium in both races, he was at least able to reduce the gap to Sebastien Buemi in the drivers’ standings to ten points. Buemi was unable to compete in New York, as he had a prior commitment in the FIA WEC at the Nürburgring.

“Firstly, my compliments to Formula E in bringing the series to New York,” said di Grassi. “We are only in the third year of the championship, and the debut for a car race in the heart of this metropolis is another fantastic milestone. We didn’t have the speed this weekend to win races, but we made the best of our opportunities and got ourselves into a better position in the title battle. Now, the entire focus is on the final two race days of the season – we will be leaving no stone unturned in our quest for the title.”

Decision in Montreal

The championship will now be decided on the weekend of 29th/30th July in Montreal where the two last races of the season will be contested. Like New York, Montreal is hosting Formula E for the first time. The equipment used by the series organizers and teams will be transported by road to the Canadian metropolis on the St. Lawrence River. Afterwards, it will be returned as sea freight to Donington, England, where Formula E has its headquarters.