Por que mexer com uma obra-prima? Essa foi a pergunta feita pela maioria do paddock da Fórmula E quando ficou aparente no ano passado que o circuito de rua de Roma, localizado no distrito EUR da cidade eterna, não sediaria mais o campeonato mundial totalmente elétrico após cinco anos. O circuito era arquitetonicamente impressionante, com estruturas extravagantes espalhadas pelas ruas historicamente questionáveis da criação de Benito Mussolini. Apesar disso, a pista em si era excepcional, serpenteando por um parque e pelas ruas ao redor. Os pilotos adoravam o desafio que ela apresentava, com suas lombadas e ondulações tornando-a quase a pista perfeita para a Fórmula E. Além disso, estava situada em uma das cidades mais icônicas do mundo. No entanto, seu alto custo e um grande acidente multi-carros que ocorreu durante uma corrida levaram à decisão de explorar outras opções.
O aspecto financeiro dos eventos da Fórmula E é envolto em segredo, mas acredita-se que as despesas associadas ao fechamento de estradas, instalação de barreiras e montagem da infraestrutura necessária em Roma tenham chegado a aproximadamente €5 milhões. Esse valor não inclui custos adicionais, como a instalação dos boxes. O caótico acidente multi-carros que ocorreu durante uma das corridas forneceu uma desculpa conveniente para reavaliar a situação. Também havia fatores políticos em jogo, já que a apoiadora da Fórmula E, Virginia Raggi, renunciou ao cargo de prefeita de Roma em 2021. Independentemente dos motivos exatos, Roma foi substituída por Misano na temporada de 2024.
Misano, located in the Emilia-Romagna region, is a picturesque destination, especially in the spring. The owners and staff of the circuit have been incredibly welcoming and helpful to the Formula E paddock. Although the track is primarily designed for two-wheeled motor sports, adjustments have been made to deal with track limit violations. Race director Scot Elkins consulted drivers like Lucas di Grassi to implement changes, including the addition of “banana curbs” at the exits of corners. Although there were still several violations, especially during qualifying, they did not significantly impact the race results due to the nature of Formula E races. While not perfect, the modifications helped minimize controversies related to track limits.
Opinions among the drivers regarding races in Misano varied. Mitch Evans expressed his skepticism about the venue, questioning the need to race in certain places and suggesting that better locations could be found. Jake Hughes, on the other hand, acknowledged that while drivers may not enjoy the races, fans seem to appreciate them. He called for a balance between the perspectives of the drivers and the fans. The nature of races in Misano, with an emphasis on filling gaps and navigating wide sections, diverges from the traditional aspects of motorsport that drivers typically enjoy.
The race at Misano often feels like the cars are operating outside of their natural environment. However, seeing the Formula E cars up close on the track reveals their true speed, which may not be fully appreciated when watching on TV. This became evident when the writer witnessed Nick Cassidy’s dramatic crash during a practice session. Some drivers, like Evans, criticized the racing style, while others, like Hughes, acknowledged the enthusiasm of the fans. The accordion effect created by the high-speed corners leading to long straights contributed to the race’s pack nature. The difference in race distances between Saturday and Sunday also played a role in the race dynamics. While the first race required energy-saving strategies for most of the event, the second race had a more balanced approach. Drivers felt that the simulations conducted by the FIA accurately predicted the race distance for Sunday’s event.
Overall, opinions on the races at Misano were polarized. Some drivers strongly disliked it, while others accepted it as part of the sport. It may be beneficial for Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds and FIA representative Marek Nawarecki to address the drivers and explain the technical, sporting, and marketing reasons behind the racing style. This could help drivers understand the broader goals of Formula E and how the race format attracts existing fans and wins over new ones, especially from younger generations and those unfamiliar with traditional motorsport. Formula E has always sought to be different, and it may be necessary to help drivers see the benefits of this approach beyond their own perspectives.
Races in Misano are fast-paced and unpredictable, which can be captivating depending on individual preferences. Formula E highlights overtaking maneuvers in its post-race calculations and marketing efforts, although many of these maneuvers are not genuine overtakes. However, spectators, who may view the races as an exciting simulation of artificial intelligence, likely do not mind. Although this style of racing may not appeal to purists, the upcoming Monaco E-Prix offers a more traditional racing experience, condensed into a shorter period of time, unlike Formula 1 races, which can be long and tedious. Therefore, embracing diversity and mixing things up in Formula E is positive, but it may be necessary to find a balance and avoid going to extremes.
© 2024
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