Return to Marrakesh for second race in Season 5 of ABB FIA Formula E Championship

In January 2018, at the second race of Season 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, ABB launched its pioneering collaboration with the all-electric racing series.
With ABB as title partner, Formula E has gone from strength to strength and this year boasts the all-new Gen2 car, nine global car manufacturers, a new team, two new drivers and races in three new venues.

After a successful debut race at the Ad Diriyah circuit on the outskirts of Saudi capital Riyadh, the championship moves to Marrakesh in early January for round two, at a semi-permanent racing facility: the Circuit Automobile International Moulay El Hassan.

This 2.99 kilometre track, named after the Crown Prince of Morocco, is unusual for being constructed partly of permanent racetrack and partly of roads around the Marrakesh hotel district.

The combination presents a varied challenge to teams and drivers, as the circuit’s 12 turns offer a wide mix of corner style, from the fast swoop of Turn 1 – a great overtaking opportunity – to the hairpin of Turn 10.

ABB ambassador Sébastien Buemi, who this year races for the Nissan e.dams team, will be looking to defend his strong record in Marrakesh. He won the inaugural race in Season 3 of the championship and last year finished second, having led early on. “The Marrakesh circuit for me is a good track because I have had success there – I won two years ago, I finished second last year, so I’m looking forward to going back. I think it’s one of the biggest tracks of the season. The asphalt is very smooth so the way we set up the car is very similar to what we do on a normal track.”

Round two of the championship will offer drivers another chance to refine their use of new-for-this-season ‘Attack Mode’. This feature allows drivers to increase the amount of power they have available – increasing their speed, but shortening the life of their battery.