Following the news that Attack Charge has been delayed by Formula E until at least the inaugural Misano E-Prix, Mitch Evans has admitted that it’s “a bit risky” to introduce a huge new regulation mid-season, with Nick Cassidy and Jake Dennis also having concerns.
It was revealed last week by e-Formula.news, that the introduction of Attack Charge has been delayed, with the Misano double-header in April now being the expected event for its introduction. Originally, it was going to come into use at the Diriyah E-Prix double-header at the end of January; however, this is no longer the case.
“The teams have been informed that the Attack Charge will be used at the races in Misano, Berlin, Shanghai, Portland and London,” stated the FIA, as reported by e-Formula.news.
It means that if it’s introduced in Misano as now planned, then five races will have already taken place by the time of its arrival. As a result, the mid-season introduction of the fast-charging pit stops could have an impact on both championships. Understandably, this is something the drivers are wary of.
Little testing has been done with the fast-chargers due to a lack of units – only eight were available during pre-season testing – with the technology to be further tested during free practice sessions across the opening rounds. According to The Race, fast-charging will be trialled during free practice in Mexico City this weekend.
Remarkably, reigning World Champion Dennis is yet to even trial the plug-in boosters. The Andretti Formula E driver is in favour of the technology being introduced; however, he stressed that it can only be done “as long as everything works”.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m all for it as long as everything works,” Dennis exclusively told Motorsport Week before the fast-charging delay was announced. “Right now, there’s still a lot of bugs in the systems and I haven’t done one single fast-charge yet, so my first one will be in Saudi if, obviously, it happens,” he said.
“I think the design or the idea is good in terms of creating a pit-stop, pushing the technology forward. It’s important for the manufacturers to have that as long as everything falls into the right place.
The original hopes with Attack Charge were for it to be introduced in Season 9, although it was then delayed until the start of Season 10. With the latest setback, the eventual introduction of the new technology could have a huge say on who wins the championship.
As pointed out on Monday afternoon by Cassidy, it’s not just Formula E who are set to make a huge mid-season change to the regulations, as IndyCar are going to switch to hybrid power units after the 108th Indy 500. The new Jaguar TCS Racing driver and Season 9 Vice-Champion believes what’s happening across the pond is “a lot more extreme”.
Cassidy thinks Attack Charge can “be introduced properly” mid-season if it’s “done correctly”; however, he feels that the sport will receive criticism regardless of how successful the introduction of fast-charging is.
“Yeah, I think, look, there’s always a risk of changing a regulation with a few races to go or having it change the way or the outcome of the championship,” Cassidy said following a question from Motorsport Week during a roundtable to select media.
“I don’t think Formula E should be singled out with this. I mean, if you look at IndyCar, they’re going to run half the season with one package and then go to a hybrid unknown solution for half, which I think is a lot more extreme.
“I think actually just introducing an attack charge or pit-stop if done correctly, and with the testing that we’re going to be doing at the opening few rounds in practice, the simulations that the team and the series are doing, then it can be introduced properly, it can add something to the racing.
“I feel that it’s really tough for the championship to do that because there’s 80 per cent chance they’re going to be criticised for it. No matter what they do, no matter what the outcome is, not everyone’s going to be happy. So I think it’s important to recognise the challenges they’re facing and to kind of give them some leeway with that.”
Evans echoes the views of his new teammate but admits that he’s actually in “two minds”. The 29-year-old is more than aware that fast-charging could alter the outcome of the championship but he does understand why Formula E bosses are motivated to get Attack Charge introduced during Season 10.
Despite this, the Kiwi does think that as fast-charging isn’t ready for the season-opener, then it could be delayed further until Season 11.
“Yeah, pretty much echo what Nick says,” Evans said. “I’m kind of in two minds. I think it’s a bit risky bringing something in mid-season. I think if we can’t start with it, we could probably delay it for another year, but I understand the motivation to try and get it into this season, so I think there’s some better side.
“I’m not sure if the rules have been completely confirmed with how it will work, but the initial kind of things I have heard, I think there could be some improvements that have to be made with how they kind of regulate or how they control it around full-course yellows and Safety Cars and stuff, which I think could have a bigger impact.
“So, yeah, let’s see what happens. But as long as everyone’s in the same boat, it can be great for you, can work against you. You never really know, so we have to wait and see. But, yeah, haven’t really got much else to add on it, to be honest.”
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