Formula E-Prix - At Cape Town South Africa

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Formula E-Prix - Cape Town South Africa

Report and Photography by: 

Darren Nieuwoudt (Stance Auto Media Team)

Instagram: @incogmedia

It has been years in the making but it finally arrived. This was the first time Cape Town, South Africa has had such an enormous event of this calibre. With beautiful views as a backdrop such as Table Mountain and Lion's Head. We couldn't have asked for a better location. Season 9 of Formula E saw the new Gen 3 cars come into play which happened at the first event in Mexico in 2023. The previous season they were racing the Gen 2 formula E cars. 

The specs between the Gen 2 and Gen 3 cars have a noticeable difference. 

Gen 2 Specs: 

• Length:5160mm
• Height: 1050mm
• Width: 1770mm
• Wheelbase: 3100mm
• Weight including driver: 900kg
• Battery weight: 385kg
• Maximum power: 250kw
• Top speed: 174mph
• Powertrain: rear

Gen 3 Specs:

• Length: 5016.2mm
• Height: 1023.4mm
• Width: 1700mm
• Wheelbase:2970.5mm
• Weight: 840 kg
• Maximum power: 350kw
• Top speed: 200mph
• Powertrain: Front and rear

The Gen 3 formula E race car is 60 kg lighter and has 40% more power. It has stylish looks with fresh team branding. It also has a lighter battery. What is interesting is that fans can vote for their favourite drivers before the event and the driver that gets the most votes receives an extra boost for race day. On race day the drivers have to go through two mandatory boost zones but the choice is theirs when they want to use the boost. 

The event started Friday with conferences, safety briefings for the media and interviews with the drivers. Late Friday afternoon the first practice happened so the drivers could get used to the track and the surface. It was a bit of getting used to for the drivers because the surface wasn't smooth and had some bumps here and there around the track. It has been said that South Africa's track might be the fastest track of the season as well and doesn't have a lot of overtaking opportunities. 

Saturday was race day. Gates opened at 8 am. We made our way to the media centre in the Cape Town stadium where all photographers, journalists and videographers came together to set up their gear and get the day started. The fans that arrived early went to the fan zone where they could relax and enjoy the free practice while ordering food from various food trucks.

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There was also a live performance from local artists and all different kinds of entertainment for the crowds to enjoy. Some local celebrities also joined to watch the race such as Siya Kolisi, Francois Pienaar, DJ Black Coffee and more. Local hero Kelvin van Der Linda stepped in place of Robin Frijn for the ABT Cupra team. Kelvin is also a professional DTM race car driver and had a lot of support from the locals.

Free practice started at 9:05 am when the formula E cars were running at only 70%. It took the drivers a couple of laps to familiarize themselves with the track again before the qualifying session. Even though it was practising the drivers were still pushing the cars nicely and quickly around the track. Once practice was over they all headed to the pits where the technicians were hard at work to get the cars ready. In between practice and qualifying, the media had the chance of going into the pits when the pits were non-live. Once qualifying started it was all down to business for the race car drivers to get the best times and to see who would get Pole position. Qualifying was fast and furious.

Unfortunately, Mahindra and ABT Cupra had to withdraw from the race due to rear suspension issues. The top 4 qualifiers were Sacha Fenestraz (Nissan) in Pole, 2nd place was Maximilian Gunther (Maserati) and 3rd place was Nick Cassidy (Envision). Overall points leader Pascal Wehrlein(Porsche) qualified in 6th position. Sacha Fenestraz set the fastest lap in Formula E history during qualifying. Between qualifying and the race, the fans were able to go into the pit area and get autographs and photos of the race car drivers. 

Finally, the main race started with Nissan in Pole position. Leader in standings Pascal Wehrlein who drives for Porsche had to retire early after running into the rear end of Buemi's Envision Racing car on lap one. Despite the early retirement of Pascal Wehrlein, he still leads the Formula E championships by a marginal amount of points. The Jaguar TCS racing team also had a bit of a problem when Sam Bird's car was damaged during qualifying and was unfit to race.

Antonio Félix da Costa, although starting in 11th made his way up the pack to win the race with an astonishing overtake on lap 24 on turns 7 and 8 which were the turns where 3 crashes were earlier the weekend. He passed on the outside of turn 7 and kept the inside lane on turn 8 to keep his position. Da Costa had to take a second attack mode but missed the opportunity and lost the lead to Hyderabad Vergne. A few laps later da Costa did the same overtake on Vergne to take Pole position. It was a real fight between the top 4 drivers but da Costa kept his cool to take his first win for the Tag Heuer Porsche team.

The final standings were:

1. Antonio Félix da Costa (Porsche Team) 
2. Jean-Éric Vergne (DS Penske) 
3. Nick Cassidy (Envision Racing) 
4. Rene Rast (McLaren) 
5. Sébastien buemi (Envision Racing) 
6. Dan Ticktum (N10 formula E team) 
7. Stoffel Vandoorne (DS Penske) 
8. Norman Nato (Nissan e.dams) 
9. Andre Lotterer (Andretti Autosport) 
10. Jake Hughes (McLaren) 
11. Mitch Evans (Jaguar) 
12. Sergio Setters Camara (N10 formula) 
13. Jake Dennis (Andretti Autosport) 

• Dnf: Sacha Fenestraz (Nissan e.dams) 
• Dnf: Maximilian Gunther (Maserati Racing) 
• Dnf: Edoardo Mortara (Maserati Racing) 
• Dnf: Pascal Wehrlein ( Porsche) 

This was a very well-organized event. All conferences, briefings and racing were on time on the day. The FIA and the western Cape government did a phenomenal job. I would like to give a massive shout-out to Paul Doherty from Stance Auto Magazine for applying for media accreditation for me and the FIA Formula E for approving the application and making it a reality. It will be an experience that will never be forgotten.

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