Formula E’s first-ever double-header in the principality brought rain, controversy, paddock rumour and continuing contention about calendar clashes. Motorsport Week was on the ground in Monaco with all the big topics.
Believe it or not, FE is now at approximately the half-way point in Season 11, with Nissan’s Oliver Rowland threatening to open-up a significant gap as the Japanese marque prepares for its second home race weekend in Tokyo next week.
Rowland’s title lead increase was, however, just one of the things that got people talking in Monaco.
HSH Prince Albert II Trophy given to accumulative ‘King of Monaco’
For the first time in the history of the all-electric championship, Monaco closed its streets for two days, rather than one.
The ability for FE to do this was, of course, a big win for FE’s CEO Jeff Dodds, whose ability to sell the championship left Prince Albert II agreeing to a second race.
However, all was not harmonious, as many drivers felt that a race as prestigious as Monaco should only be afforded once race.
This was remedied, to some extent, by the creation of the HSH Prince Albert II Trophy, awarded to the driver who accumulated the most points over the weekend.
Rowland was therefore the first recipient of the awards, which he collected at the post-race gala on Sunday evening.
After Race 2, Rowland said to Motorsport Week that despite Nissan’s limitations in the rainy conditions, he was able to maximise what he had.
“We know we’re not always the strongest, but actually in the race the car felt really good,” he said. “I think we understood some good stuff. We know where we need to improve, both dry and wet.
“I think there’s a key area that we need to improve to be slightly better, but I think we’re getting there.
“It was a very hectic race, of course, and we expected it to be in the wet, particularly with the tyres, and I guess some of the little incidents occasionally, you know, people running, having to get off the runoff and things like that.”
Rowland also said he was surprised that the rain, mixed with the pack race, did not produce more incident.
“I expected lots of focus yellows and lots of Safety Cars. In the end it was quite clean, but I think you kind of respect the track when it’s like that, and it’s a bit what I always say to my F2 driver [Arvid Lindblad, who he mentors]. When we went to Jeddah, I was like, don’t expect too many red flags because the track requires respect.
“And I think in those conditions people give it respect, and it’s good to see that we had relatively clean race.”
Ticktum’s Instagram infamy sparks new Marmite opinions
It was a memorable weekend in many ways for Cupra Kiro’s Dan Ticktum.
After topping both free practice sessions on Saturday morning, the Brit was agonisingly close to a finals appearance in qualifying, settling for third.
The race did not go his way, having to accept seventh place.
Another strong showing on Sunday was thwarted by a power error in qualifying, taking to his flying lap against Nyck de Vries without the 350kw energy, and therefore aborted the run.
A tussle with eventual podium-finisher Nick Cassidy saw him spin at Mirabeau, and despite an applause-garnering spin-turn in the narrow escape road to continue, he finished out of the points.
Ticktum took to his Instagram account after both races with an impromptu debrief in which he displayed his usual no-holds-barred opinions on what happened.
He followed this up on Monday morning with now-deleted videos of him telling his haters: “F**k you, how about that?”
A quick scour of social media will tell you that a huge number of people find him intolerable, others feel he’s a breath of fresh air.
Ticktum is, quite simply, a polarising character, but Motorsport Week observed on the ground that, even in Monaco, he has plenty of fans.
A feature on Ticktum will be published on MotorsportWeek.com in the coming days.
Outgoing McLaren team looking to keep the band together amid changing profile in Season 12
NEOM McLaren might be pulling out of Formula E at the end of the season, but a sense of optimism around the team was certainly felt.
Motorsport Week has learned that the team, as per its original statement upon announcing the withdrawal, that it is looking to stay together, albeit under a different guise with different owners.
It is believed that the title sponsor might look to complete a full takeover of the team, with other organisations also looking to make a bid.
Jeff Dodds spoke exclusively to Motorsport Week about the potential buyout, which will be published on MotorsportWeek.com later this week.
Calendar changes afoot with Spain rumoured to be making Formula E comeback
Many whispers and murmurs throughout the paddock over the Monaco weekend were all about the Season 12 calendar.
Whilst it appears that Jeff Dodds is looking to make good on his conversations with the people of Cape Town about a potential return, it seems that it will not be for at least another year.
The big takeaway were several outlets already reporting that a Spanish race will be on the calendar, with many suggesting it would be at its pre-season location – Jarama.
The 1970s and 80s F1 track hosted testing after the devastating floods in Valencia – its usual location and race venue in Season 7 – and a strong relationship was immediately forged.
It is now speculated that the race will be a bridge towards a future race at another retro F1 location – Montjuic Park, just over three miles from the centre of Barcelona.
A full feature on why this would be a tremendous benefit for Formula E will be available on MotorsportWeek.com soon.
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