Before All Hell broke loose at Daytona
International Speedway!
Purely by happenstance, I stumbled into the
Mexico City ePrix being shown on CBS, Sunday, January 10th at 1:30PM. (Pacific)
With my Zap-2-It TV Guide telling me it was 1.5hrs duration. Further learning
it was a truncated 90mins “Highlights” package of the day’s outing. Including a
pre-race preamble, discussing Andretti’s new arrival Felipe Drugavich – who
they interviewed. Then Qualie’ result and the entire race, albeit cut up into
numerous, annoying 9mins “chunks” before the next commercial break, Spew!
As I hadn’t paid any Attenzione to Formula e at
all since last scribbling in “earnest” about Portland’s ePrix Wayback’ in the
summer of 2023…
Whilst I’ve got zero clue when the last time I
sat and “watched”, Err listened to an ePrix race was? Other than many, many
years ago…
Being Blind Y’all, have I mentioned that lately?
Although my ears pricked up over several items. But I must confess, Formula e’s
the most difficult racing series to follow for Mwah, due to its lack of any
relevant racecar noise.
The first thing that caught my Attenzione was
Hey! That voice sounds familiar! As it was indeed IndyCar Pit Reporter and IMSA
“colour” Commentator Ryan Marin as the lead Announcer. Whilst I swear that had
to be Karun “Cowboy” Chandok reporting from Pitlane and hosting the post-race
podium interview, Ole!
The other bit that caught my No. 4 wire, was
the mention of Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez only being 1.6 mile lengths.
(1.619m) Or as Professor Steve Matchett would say is 2.606Km in “New Money”. As
the Formula E circuit is some 1.5 miles shorter and features 16 turns vs. the
Gran Premio cicuito’s 17 turn layout.
And without going thru everything, albeit a la
Formula 1. This year’s 12th season of Formula E is the longest, with a record
17 races. With Mexico City being Round 2.
There’s a total of 10 teams. With Nissan’s
Oliver Rowland sporting the No. 1 plate as the series defending Drivers
Champion.
The other nine teams are: Cutra Kiro, DS
Penske, Jaguar, Lola Yamaha, Envision Racing, Mahindra Racing, Citroen Racing,
Andretti Formula E, and Porsche Formula E Team.
There’s a total of three American “flagged” entries,
with Andretti Formula E and DS Penske
being familiar. As the latter is owned by Jay Penske, son of El Capitano’, nee
Roger Penske.
Yet I’ll admit that this mystery Cutra Kiro
name is totally foreign to Mwah, which I’ll scribble about a different day, as
this No Fenders yarn is starting to unravel…
And although I know very little about Formula
E, I must admit I was pulling for Pascal Wehrlein and Edoardo Mortara for
different reasons. Mortara having won Formula E’s 50th and 100th races, with
Mexico City being the series 150th ePrix. Which obviously would have been a
great symmetry.
Whilst Wehrlein was for sentimental reasons.
Including being a former formula 1 driver who never got His due with a proper
F1 team. Having driven for the struggling, Minnowesqe Manor alongside Esteban
Ocon Wayback’ in 2016.
As both drivers were Mercedes Werks’ Pilotes,
both winning DTM titles before being elevated to Formula 1. With Ocon still
racing F1 a decade later…
Although there was typically no sound emitted
from these impressive Gen 3’ Evo racecars, other than the associated whine of
mechanical parts and tyre noises. It was interesting hearing Wehrlein breathing
heavily when conversing on His In-car radio due to the track’s high elevation.
With Mexico City being at some 7,350 feet above Sea level, Aye Karumba!
The other bit to get used to and understand was
the required usage of two separate maximum Overtake modes, Err Attack Mode.
Which we’ll All be learning about in Formula 1 this season.
As Formula E’s Attack Mode boosts car
performance by 50 KW, to a maximum 350 kW. (Kilowatts) Including All Wheel
Drive! (4WD)
Which if I understand correctly, Ci? Drivers
can choose how to utilize the two Attack mode sessions. Either in a 2+6, 4+4 or
6+2 minutes duration during the race.
And whilst both Wehrlein and Mortara took there
turns in the lead. It was an uber impressive victory by Nick Cassidy for
Citroen Racing, storming from 13th place. As look Ma, No David Cassidy jokes
Thar, Hya!
Fittingly, although planned ahead of time.
Porsche ran a special tribute livery at the Mexico City ePrix. As both Wehrlein
and teammate Nico Muller’s Porsche’s were running an all silver throwback
livery. Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Porsche’s involvement in
Motorsports.
As the special livery tribute was most Apropos,
with legendous’ Porsche driver Hans Herrman having died the day prior at the
remarkable age of 97, Ja Volt!
Having just learned that Herrmann finished
third overall, and first in the under 1.5-litre Class in the grueling Carrera
Panamericana in 1954 behind the wheel of an iconic silver Porsche 550 Spyder.
Whilst I love the story about Herrmann, a Baker
by trade’s racing instincts during the 1954 Mille Miglia.
Approaching a railroad crossing’ lowering gate
, and deciding it was too late to brake! Hans simply knocked on the back of
navigator Herbert Linge’s helmet to make Him duck! As the pair barely made it
underneath the lowering gate, And the Porsche 550 Spyder rocketed past the
train to the stunned crowd’s approval! With Herrman and Linge winning the
race’s 1.5-litre Class.
Although I did know from my extensive five part
Triple Crown Winners story, that Herrmann was the first of nine drivers who’ve
won le 24 Heurs du Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring overall.
Which Y’all can read in the following No Fenders link below.
LE MANS 100C: Celebrating Drivers who’ve Claimed the Triple Crown of Endurance Races
