High aspirations: in Mexico City, ABB Formula E flaunts its electric edge

Teams contesting the ABB FIA Formula E Championship arrive in Mexico City for Round 4 of the 13-race series, with almost a quarter of the season already complete. After three races on three continents with their new Gen2 cars, drivers have gained seat-time experience in new cars, while engineers and mechanics have accrued valuable insights from performance data. And while the leading contenders such as BMW I Andretti Motorsport, Mahindra and Envision Virgin Racing are beginning to emerge, the closely competitive nature of ABB Formula E means it is too early to be tipping Season 5 title winners. Expect the unpredictability to continue at the CBMM Niobium Mexico City E-Prix on February 16.

At the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in the Mexican capital, 22 drivers will compete on a 17-turn course specially adapted for ABB Formula E from a historic Formula 1 track. A long straightaway leads to the sweeping Turns 1 and 2 and then to an infield section of tight corners.

Over the course of each lap, the cars’ peak 250 kW (335 horsepower) powertrain will thrust drivers away from low-speed turns with the instant torque that electric motors are known for – and push them to speeds approaching the allowed maximum of 280 kilometers per hour (174 miles per hour).