Munich. Season 4 of the FIA Formula E Championship continues
this weekend as the series takes to the streets of Marrakesh (MAR).
Formula E made its African debut at the “Circuit Automobile
International Moulay El Hassan” last season, and the series now
returns for its second appearance there
.
BMW works drivers António Félix da Costa (POR) and Tom
Blomqvist (GBR) will race in Morocco for MSAD Andretti Formula
E.
The Situation
The third round of the season in Morocco offers the chance for
further good results to add to points earned in Hong Kong (HKG) for
MSAD Andretti Formula E. At the season opener, Félix da Costa
finished sixth for the squad from Indianapolis (USA).
The Team
The MSAD Andretti Formula E team is in its fourth season of
Formula E in 2017/18. So far, Michael Andretti’s (USA) team has
contested 35 races, claimed three pole positions, and scored 210
points. BMW works driver Félix da Costa is again in action at the
wheel of the number 28 MSAD Andretti ATEC-003 in Season 4.
Joining the Portuguese driver in Marrakesh will be fellow BMW driver
Blomqvist. He will make his debut in Morocco, driving car number 27.
The Expectations
Tom Blomqvist, MSAD Andretti Formula E: “I am
super happy and excited to be making my debut for MSAD Andretti
Formula E in Marrakesh. I feel as prepared as I can be with the
limited time I’ve had testing in the car. It’s going to be a massive
challenge, but I am up for it! I have to say thank you to MSAD
Insurance, BMW and Andretti for giving me this huge opportunity. I
believe the FIA Formula E championship has a bright future and I’m so
proud to be a part of it.”
António Félix da Costa, MSAD Andretti Formula E:
“I am really excited for Round 3 of what has started as a promising
season. The team worked really hard through the Christmas break and we
are really hungry for more this year. We don’t go into Marrakesh with
huge expectations, but we want to do our best and give it everything
we have to score points. It was really cool last year to go to
Marrakesh for the first time during the United Nations Climate Change
conference, which is incredibly important for our partners MSAD
Insurance, as it shows the impact that Formula E can have in the world.”
The Circuit
The race in Morocco is unique in Formula E, as the only event held on
a semi-permanent racetrack. It is making its second appearance on the
calendar, having also featured in Season 3. The layout was designed by
Hermann Tilke, and is the longest on the calendar at 2.97km. Three big
straights and the long, fast second turn, combined with the North
African climate, make the track a challenge for battery economy, but
heavy braking zones provide plenty of overtaking opportunity.
The BMW i Fleet
BMW i is once again “Official Vehicle Partner” of the FIA Formula E
Championship in Season 4. The BMW i8 (combined fuel consumption: 2.1
l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 49 g/km)* continues to take to the
track as a powerful and efficient Safety Car. The same goes for the
new BMW i3s (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 CO2 emissions: 78 – 77 g/km)* in its role as “Rescue Car” and
“Extrication Car”.