Track facts and key factors: the BMW i Andretti Motorsport preview for the Santiago E-Prix.

Munich. The Santiago E-Prix (CHI) this coming weekend sees the
first race of 2020 in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. Alexander
Sims (GBR) heads to Chile at the top of the driver’s standings after
his win and two pole positions in Diriyah (KSA). Our preview
provides you with the most important facts about the new circuit and
the key factors for a successful Santiago E-Prix.

 

You can access the BMW i Motorsport Media Guide for Season 6 here: https://b.mw/Media_Guide_E. It
contains detailed information on the technology of the BMW i
drivetrain and the BMW iFE.20, as well as background on the technology
transfer between motorsport and production development, on the BMW i
Andretti Motorsport team and the drivers.

 

 

TRACK FACTS SANTIAGO.

Circuit length

2.287 km. Anti-clockwise.

Corners

11 turns, 8
left and 3 right. Changes to Season 5: T1 goes left now
instead of right, no chicane between T7 and T8, so the
section is much faster now, section between T9 and T11 has
changed completely.

Track surface

Very
bumpy between T9 and T1. New and more heat resistant tarmac
between T2 and T8.

Grip level

High
between T2 and T8. Very low between T9 and T1. Leaves from
the trees can make the track slippery especially in
qualifying – disadvantage for group 1.

Circuit layout

Almost a new track due to all the layout
changes. Section between T1 and T7 technically very
demanding, requires a very good front axle set-up. Two good
overtaking opportunities at T1 and T9.

Tyre wear

Very
high, especially the right rear tyre.

Top speed

Approx.
230 km/h ahead of T9.

Attack Zone

ATTACK
MODE is activated at the outside of T3.

Pit lane

New
position compared to season 5.

Risk of crashes

High, especially in sections 1 and 3.

Key factors

Qualifying group. Energy and temperature
management in the heat. Tyre wear.

 

Quotes ahead of the Santiago E-Prix:

 

Roger Griffiths (Team Principal BMW i Andretti Motorsport):

“The year ended on an obvious positive note with the win in Diriyah
for Alexander and so the whole team is keen to show that this was not
just a one off and is looking for more success as we head to South
America. While we are returning to the same venue as last season, the
track itself has undergone many changes; from a comprehensive
resurfacing to address the tarmac issues from last year, to a change
in the layout to accommodate the new pit lane, all of which will mean
more challenges for the engineering team and the drivers alike. While
everyone enjoyed a well-deserved break, it didn’t mean that the work
stopped after the last round. Not only did we all take a long hard
look at what led to the success in Diriyah, we also looked at areas we
could improve upon as we fully expect our competition to come back
strong in the New Year. Alexander is on a roll with his pole position
sequence and will be looking to show his pace once more, although
having to qualify in group 1 will be a special challenge for him. Max
will be hoping to put the disappointment of the last race behind him
and be aiming for a strong finish in his own right.”

 

Alexander Sims (#27 BMW iFE.20):

“The break after Diriyah did me a lot of good and I feel refreshed
going into the race in Santiago and ready for the challenge. Obviously
I am not heading to Santiago thinking that I will automatically get
pole position and the win again, but I am ambitious enough to set my
sights on getting another win. The BMW i Andretti Motorsport Team was
strong in both Diriyah and Santiago in Season 5. I hope we manage the
same again this time. All of the drivers will have to internalise the
new track layout first. The training in the simulator has already
helped me a lot with this. The fact that I will have to compete in
qualifying group 1 for the first time is a challenge, but I hope that
we will cope well and will be able to get another strong result.”

 

Maximilian Günther (#28 BMW iFE.20):

“After the long break I have more than just recharged my batteries,
and I can hardly wait to get back on the track. I had a lot of fun in
Santiago last season and I hope that the new layout of the track will
be just as cool to drive on. I was very pleased with my performance in
the second race in Diriyah in particular. My pace was promising, even
if we didn’t pick up any points in the end. This gives us all even
more motivation to be even better in Santiago. The chemistry in the
team is brilliant. I feel very at home.”

 

The FANBOOST vote.

FANBOOST gives Formula E fans the opportunity to vote for their
favourite driver and award them an extra boost of power during the
race. The five drivers with the most FANBOOST votes receive an extra
100 kJ of power, which they can make use of during a brief time frame
in the second half of the race. Fans can vote for their favourite
driver in the six days prior to, and leading up to 15 minutes into,
each race. Each fan can vote once per day. There are three ways to
vote: Online at https://fanboost.fiaformulae.com/,
via the official Formula E App or on Twitter using the hashtag
#FANBOOST plus the drivers first and last name as a one-word hashtag.

 

Hashtags of the BMW i Andretti Motorsport drivers:

#AlexanderSims

#MaximilianGuenther

 

The BMW i Safety Cars.

BMW i is “Official Vehicle Partner” of the ABB FIA Formula E
Championship in Season 6. Spearheading the fleet are two Safety Cars:
The BMW i8 Roadster Safety Car (combined fuel consumption: 2.0 l/100
km; combined power consumption: 14.5 kWh/100 km; combined CO2
emissions: 46 g/km)*, which has been specially modified for use at the
racetrack, and the BMW i8 Coupé Safety Car (combined fuel consumption:
1.8 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 14.0 kWh/100 km; combined
CO2 emissions: 42 g/km)*. The BMW i fleet also includes the BMW i3s
(combined fuel consumption: 0.0 l/100 km; combined energy consumption:
14.3 kWh; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)* as “Race Director Car” and
the BMW 530e (combined fuel consumption: 2.2-2.1 l/100 km; combined
energy consumption: 13.6-13.3 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions:
49-47 g/km)* in its role as “Medical Car”.