Santiago. Two days after its unveiling in Santiago de Chile
(CHI), the new BMW i8 Coupé Qualcomm Safety Car enjoyed its first
race outing. The safety car was soon out on track following a number
of crashes on the opening lap of the spectacular fourth race of the
season in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, which was the series’
first appearance in the Chilean capital. MSAD Andretti Formula
E driver António Félix da Costa (POR) recovered from a difficult
qualifying to fight back strongly in the race. He eventually came
home ninth and was rewarded for his efforts with two points. His
team-mate Tom Blomqvist (GBR) also drove well and finished eleventh,
just outside the points.
The qualifying
Félix da Costa was the first driver in qualifying group one to embark
on his flying lap. That was not ideal, as the grip improved throughout
the qualifying session. His fastest lap time of 1:20.132 minutes was
only good enough for 16th place on the grid. Blomqvist
started the second qualifying session of his Formula E career in group
four. He touched the wall in the final sector of his flying lap, and
had to settle for a time of 1:20.422 minutes and 18th
place. Pole position went to Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA).
The race
A number of cars were involved in collisions on the opening lap,
resulting in a yellow flag period. That meant the new BMW i8 Coupé
Qualcomm Safety Car made its first appearance on track during a race.
Blomqvist made good progress on lap one, while Félix da Costa had to
take evasive action to avoid a crash and dropped back behind his
team-mate. However, the Portuguese driver regained his place ahead of
Blomqvist at the pit stop, which was held without a minimum time for
the first time, and so the race developed into a genuine battle for
every tenth of a second. In the second half of the race, Félix da
Costa benefitted from being able to stay out a lap longer than the
opposition before coming in to switch cars. With more energy at his
disposal he was quick in the second car and climbed into ninth place
to finish in the points. Blomqvist ended his second Formula E race in
eleventh, just outside the points. Victory in the spectacular race
went to Vergne.
The reactions
António Félix da Costa, MSAD Andretti Formula E:
“Unfortunately, I had a poor start position in qualifying, as I was
the first driver out and the track was still slippery. There was not a
lot more I could have done. Our speed was much better in the race and
I was able to stay out for a lap longer than most of the others in my
first stint. However, I could then have pushed even harder with the
energy in the second car. We are learning every day about energy
management, and today was no different. All in all, this result gives
me optimism for the races ahead.”
Tom Blomqvist, MSAD Andretti Formula E: “I
touched the wall in the final sector of my qualifying lap. Starting
from so far back obviously does not make the race any easier. I kept
out of all the turmoil. Eleventh place is ok given that we still have
a lot to learn. However, to be honest, I had the feeling that we could
still have got more out of that race.”
The BMW i Fleet
BMW i is once again “Official Vehicle Partner” of the ABB FIA Formula
E Championship in Season 4. Spearheading the BMW i fleet is the new
BMW i8 Coupé, modified with BMW M components (combined fuel
consumption: 1.9 l/100 km; combined energy consumption 14.0 kWh/100
km; combined CO2 emissions: 42 g/km)*. As well as the BMW i8 Coupé,
the BMW i fleet for the ABB Formula E Championship also includes the
new BMW i3s (combined fuel consumption: 0.0 l/100 km; combined energy
consumption: 14.3 kWh; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)* as “Medical
Car” and “Race Control Car”, and the BMW X5 xDrive40e (combined fuel
consumption: 3.4 – 3.3 l/100 km; combined energy consumption: 15.4 to
15.3 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 78 – 77 g/km)* in its role as
“Rescue Car”.
* The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures shown were
determined according to the European Regulation (EC) 715/2007 in the
version applicable at the time of type approval. The figures refer to
a vehicle with basic configuration in Germany and the range shown
considers the different size of the selected wheels and
tires.
The CO2 efficiency specifications are determined
according to Directive 1999/94/EC and the Pkw-EnVKV, and based (for
classification) on the fuel consumption and CO2 values as per the NEDC
cycle.
Further information on official fuel consumption
figures and specific CO2 emission values of new passenger cars is
included in the following guideline: “Leitfaden über
Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer
Personenkraftwagen” (Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and
electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be
obtained free of charge from all dealerships and at https://www.dat.de/en/offers/publications/guideline-for-fuel-consumption.html.