The quartet affected by the clash planned to prioritize the 6-hour race at Spa in the World Endurance Championship on May 11. Sebastien Buemi, Robin Frijns, Nyck de Vries, and Nico Mueller were hoping to take part in the Spa and Berlin races of the Formula E doubleheader event on May 12.
Unanimous approval from all 11 teams was required to change the regulations, but the deadline for the electronic vote had already passed.
The group of drivers wanted to compete in both races but needed a change in the rule of Article 5.5 of the current sporting regulations, which states that driver changes are not allowed after administrative checks, except in cases of force majeure with authorization from the stewards.
According to Article 19.1 and 24.15, each team must specify which drivers will be driving their cars before the end of the initial inspection.
The result of the electronic vote meant that no special authorization for driver changes would be granted, and the original rules would remain in effect.
“We all knew about the calendar clash about 10 months ago and were talking to the drivers – and we [Andretti] let go of some of them because they already had commitments that prevented them from dedicating 100% to this championship. You have to decide which championship you are competing in. For us, we are not competing in WEC and are fully focused on Formula E. Why would we want a driver to step out of the car and compromise their own chances of winning a driver’s title and also the team’s chances of winning a team title? It’s bizarre, in my opinion,” Griffiths said.
Teams cannot appeal the electronic vote, so Frijns, Buemi, de Vries, and Mueller will miss two Formula E races this season.
Envision Racing, which is most affected by the conflict over employing Frijns and Buemi, will likely replace them with Joel Eriksson and Tom Dillmann, who are respectively Jaguar’s test and reserve drivers.
Abt Cupra is expected to replace Mueller with Kelvin van der Linde or Red Bull junior Tim Tramnitz.
The clash between the Formula E and World Endurance Championship calendars has caused much frustration among the affected teams and drivers. The supposed commission formed in 2017 to deal with these clashes does not seem to have worked effectively this time.
The promoters of both championships need to be more flexible with their schedules to avoid conflicts. There are plenty of weekends available for both championships to coexist without conflicts.
The difficulty this year was that a fixed date for the Shanghai race in May made it impossible to adjust the date of the Berlin race. The Monaco weekend also plays a significant role in determining the Berlin race schedule.
In 2024, Berlin will always be scheduled between the Monaco and Shanghai races, in mid-May.
The World Endurance Championship accommodated a change in the Spa race date for 2020, but due to announcing its 2024 calendar before the Formula E calendar, similar flexibility could not be considered this time.
Griffiths’ views on the matter are strong, but they highlight the importance of making lineup decisions based on commitment to one championship and avoiding situations where drivers have conflicting priorities.
On the other hand, drivers participating in both championships are facing career commitments due to logistical challenges. Both sides of the issue have valid points and it would be beneficial for the FIA to facilitate more dialogue between the two championships to avoid conflicts.
The future may favor pilots who prioritize their commitments to Formula E or the World Endurance Championship. This could lead to significant changes in the Formula E driver lineup and the introduction of new talents.
© 2024
The world of sports is full of emotions and twists, and 2024 will be no different. With the sports competition season in full swing, fans are eager to see their favorite teams and athletes in action. Expectations are high and bets are being placed. Who will be the big winner this year?
In football, teams are gearing up for national and international championships. Players are training hard and giving their all to ensure the success of their teams. Fans are eagerly waiting to see exciting games and cheer for every goal scored.
In basketball, the stars are ready to shine on the courts. The competitions promise to be fierce and the games exciting. Fans are getting ready to watch incredible plays and root for their favorite teams.
In tennis, the world’s best players are preparing for the most important tournaments of the season. Fans are eager to see the clashes between the giants of the sport and witness spectacular plays.
In addition, motorsports are also in full swing. Car and motorcycle races are thrilling fans around the world. Speed, adrenaline, and excitement are present in every curve and straight of the tracks.
Meanwhile, in combat sports, fighters are preparing for the big showdowns. The rings and octagons will be the stage for epic battles, where strength, technique, and determination will be tested to the maximum.
In summary, 2024 promises to be an incredible year for sports lovers. With exciting competitions and high-level athletes, there will be no shortage of moments of pure emotion and excitement. Fans are ready to cheer, celebrate, and be surprised by everything that is to come. Get ready for an unforgettable sports year!
