Hey guys
Well, it's finally race week!!!
We survived another off season!!!!!!!
I want to begin this blog with some exciting news!!
FORMULA E IS FINALLY BACK ON FREE TO AIR TV IN THE UK!!!!!
The deal was signed last week between Formula E and ITV, to show all the races both on ITVX and ITV 4 (10 races to be shown there, with all races streamed on ITVX).
I'm so excited about this, as it will enable so many fans who can't watch the races on TNT, or Eurosport, tune in to a race, and still get the same awesome coverage. It also opens the doors to new formula e fans, who have never watched a FE race, but would like to get into FE. Fun fact about me is that I stumbled across a FE race on channel 5 in 2018 and have loved FE since. Also, if you guys can remember, earlier in the year, I had the fantastic opportunity to speak to Jeff Dodds, and ask him this question:
Can Paywall and Free to Air co-exist together?
Now, the answer remains to be seen, however I am hoping the answer will be yes.
To paraphrase Jeff’s answer:
“FTA and paid, together in coexistence is not as easy as people think. TNT are committed to Formula E long term and if the two [FTA and Paid broadcasting] were to coexist together, then could FE find an FTA Company that cares about Formula E, and be invested in the formula e broadcast as a broadcast, and a sport?”
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you all about the driver swaps happening this season:
Starting with DS Penske
Max Guenther is in to replace Stoffel Vandoorne who is Maserati bound
Jake Hughes is partnering Stoffel at Maserati, having left McLaren at the end of season 10. He is replaced at the British outfit by Taylor Barnard. The rookie debate around Taylor still remains however I am classing him as a rookie. Please tell me if this is wrong
Nico Mueller has moved to Andretti, leaving the ABT squad and replacing Nato who has gone back to Nissan. He is to be replaced by rookie Zane Maloney, who has ended his F2 career early to be able to drive in Formula E. he was driving in F2 for Rodin Motorsport.
Last time out, Sam Bird won his first race for two and a half years, and McLaren's first electric single seater win. He was joined on the podium by Kiwi Mitch Evans, and it was a double British podium, with Oliver Rowland pulling off a spectacular around the last corner move, going around both Pascal Wehrlein, and Jake Dennis to claim 3rd.
Session times now, and I'm gonna be sharing my season 11 predictions too.
FP1:
6th December 2024
19:30 UK
16:30 Local
Live on:
FE YouTube
TNT Sports
FP2
7th December 2024
10:30 UK
07:30 Local
Live on:
FE YouTube
TNT Sports
Qualifying:
12:40 UK
09:40 Local
Live on
TNT Sports
? ITVX?
Race
17:03 UK
14:03 Local
Live on
ITVX
TNT Sports
Now that's out of the way. I just briefly want to touch upon a regulation change with regards to free practice sessions this year.
Article 32.2 states the following
“Two free practice sessions will take place before the race (a single session of 40 minutes will take place on the second day if the Competition comprises two races). Both sessions will have a maximum duration of 40 minutes. Under exceptional cases, the length of the Free Practice Sessions may be modified.”
If you have been following Formula E for a while like I have, you may recall in season 5, the practice sessions were 45 minutes in length. I do welcome this extension of time, as I did wonder if half an hour was enough time to get everything done that needed to be done with regards to race simulations, and Qualifying runs. What really intrigues me about this however, is only “Under exceptional cases” the FIA could consider extending a session if they need to. And if I'm being honest, it's kind of fair too.
Anyway season 11 predictions:
Teams' champions:
I honestly think it could be a remarkably close battle between Jaguar and Porsche this year, with Envision having a close battle too. It's always anyone's game, and I feel this season is no different.
Drivers champion:
Like I just mentioned, it's too close to call. It literally could be anyone's championship this year, and honestly, I think it's literally anyone's for the taking.
Manufacturers championship:
I'm swinging between Jaguar and Porsche here, but ultimately, it will come down to which cars perform better.
Surprise prediction wise, I'm gonna throw the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons, and say that McLaren or Nissan will have an outside chance of winning the championship this season, and that they will finish in the top 3; also, I am gonna say the KIRO will win at least 1 race this season, and get a couple of surprise podiums too.
So yeah !!!
I'm so excited that formula e is back, and it gives me something to do whilst not being bored around the house.
Happy race week everyone.
Socials up above, or ill list them now 😛 down below.
Nat.
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EnvisRacingfan
Natsfeblog (yes, this blog now has Instagram too!!!)
Envisionracingfan
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