Formula E returns this weekend at Monaco, and as always, there are a number of topics to discuss with race day[s] approaching. Motorsport Week has everything you need to know.
After a confusing and chaotic Miami E-Prix three weeks ago, attention turns to one of FE’s more archetypical venues.
As ever, the championship is still wide open, and with the sport facing two big name departures, attention turns to what might happen looking forward.
Can Rowland maintain his title challenge?
Oliver Rowland had an uncharacteristic weekend in Miami last time out. Far behind team-mate Norman Nato on pace, Rowland qualified poorly, and his race did not fare much better.
However, due to the chaotic end of the race with several drivers penalised for Attack Mode infringements, Rowland was able to leave the Sunshine State with one point.
Antonio Felix da Costa, his chief title rival, picked-up third place to now sit just 15 points behind.
Whilst the Porsche powertrain looked the strongest in Miami, Rowland’s Nissan package has been competitive all season round so far, and leaving this weekend as Mr Monaco would give him an enormous platform to go on and win the title.
The first-ever ‘double dose’ for Formula E in Monaco
It’s what all the advertising posters are saying around Monaco this week.
For the first time in FE’s history, the principality is playing host to a double-header, which says a lot about its growth as a sport, given that the whole country will effectively close down for two days, rather than one.
However, it isn’t to everyone’s liking.
Many FE drivers opined in Miami that there should be only one definitive Monaco winner, but that just means they’ll have to go and win twice!
Will Pit Boost create a bit of Formula E chaos?
Pit Boost, which made its long-awaited debut in Jeddah, will return this weekend, as it is used in the first race of all double-headers.
The system seemed to work reasonably well in its debut, and there are some drivers who might be able to benefit via experience.
Taylor Barnard and Zane Maloney both raced in Monaco last year in Formula 2, which requires a mandatory pitstop.
The experience should hold them in good stead for the race, and any slip-ups or Safety Car deployments could see some much-anticipated chaos.
End of an era for Barclay and McLaren
This weekend will see the final Monaco E-Prix in which James Barclay will lead Jaguar TCS Racing before he departs to head-up McLaren’s Hypercar programme.
Having been at the coalface of Jaguar’s rice from back-of-the-pack no-hopers to Teams’ Champions, Barclay will surely be hopeful of leading his team to another 1-2 finish, as it did last year.
McLaren’s Hypercar programme is responsible for the decision to pull its Formula E team after the end of the current season.
After three seasons, it has failed to enjoy consistent runs of success in the sport, with currently just one win and three pole positions.
Motorsport Week understands that Sam Bird’s future will not be in FE, and is hopeful of landing a seat in the Hypercar, which would reunite him with Barclay, who was his boss when he raced for Jaguar.
One of McLaren’s pole positions was at Monaco, back in its first season, and with Taylor Barnard looking to bounce back from a disappointing outing in Miami, it, along with Barclay, will be hoping for a decent showing in the principality.
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