The first Formula E ‘race’ of the Gen3 era will take place at Valencia on Wednesday when the pre-season test features a mock simulation of a large part of an FE race weekend.
The Race understands that a practice period, followed by a qualifying and ‘race’ period will take place during the day. Charging periods will be in place with the new ABB rapid chargers.
Each charger can deliver a maximum power of 160kW and is able to charge two vehicles with 80kW of power simultaneously before the race.
Although the simulation is as yet not confirmed, the FIA will enforce a tyre limit over the duration of the running to match the two sets of Hankooks allowed over the entirety of a race day.
Additionally, the full sporting and technical regulations are set to be ‘active’ for the exercise which is carried out to ensure a relatively realistic rehearsal to enable the FIA to check software, processes, procedures and the timing system.
The qualifying session is likely to feature all 22 cars on track together, although still split in two groups within that 12-minute session for ‘knock-out’ purposes.
Tyre changing is set to be allowed within the pit boxes as per the regulations and a pit-in and pit-out minimum of 90 seconds will be applied.
It remains to be seen how many laps the mock race will take place over although this will effectively simulate the new lap rather than time (45-seconds plus one lap) rule that has existed since the start of season six in 2019/20.
Shakedown features McLaren collision
A shakedown session at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo took place yesterday afternoon ahead of the official opening of the test, with all 22 cars completing at least one lap.
Sacha Fenestraz stopped his Nissan during the session with an unspecified issue, while the two McLaren cars of Jake Hughes and Rene Rast were involved in an incident in which they made contact. The 30-minute session was not officially timed.
Speaking to The Race last month McLaren team principal, Ian James, said that the Valencia test days were going to be “of absolutely crucial importance and we’ll do everything within our power to ensure that we’re well set up for that.
“That notwithstanding we’re also acutely aware of the challenge that lies ahead and there’ll be a lot of things that we won’t, at this stage, be able to foresee, curveballs that will be thrown at us and we’ll need to react accordingly,” added James.
“So, on one side, we will be preparing as well as we can. On the other side, we’re ready for a potentially bumpy ride as we head towards the start of the season.”
McLaren shook down its race cars last week at the Bicester Heritage proving ground close to its new headquarters.
