2016 London ePrix Preview

At the Berlin ePrix five weeks ago, Sebastien Buemi took victory at the event and closed the gap in the Formula E championship lead to one point over Lucas di Grassi as we head into the final two races of the 2016 Formula E Championship.

This weekend's race is in London at the Battersea Sea circuit and it will be a special event as the FIA Formula E Drivers Championship goes down to the wire between Lucas Di Grassi and Sebastien Buemi to finish what has been a season of up and downs for a few drivers this season.

We've seen the fortunes of the reigning Formula E Champion Nelson Piquet Jr change this season which has seen him dominating the previous season to struggling this season, we've also seen Jean-Eric Vergne struggle to get onto the pace of Buenos Aires ePrix winner Sam Bird, Simona de Silvestro become the first woman to score points in the FIA Formula E Championship at her home race in Long Beach, seen former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve leaving the sport after two races, seen Team Aguri part ways with former driver Salvatore Duran and Antonio Felix Da Costa rumoured to be joining another Formula E team for next season.

But this season has seen us enjoying the fight for the championship between Lucas Di Grassi and Sebastien Buemi straight from the off. We've seen Di Grassi putting in some stunning performances for example in Paris where he led from start to finish that has allowed him to lead the Driver's Championship so far; despite his win at the Mexico ePrix being handed to Jerome D'Ambrosio after being deemed to have broken technical regulations.

But we have seen Buemi also putting in some stunning performances in for example at the first event in China where he dominated the weekend but we have also seen Buemi making silly mistakes that has affected his ability to close the gap to his rival Di Grassi as the season progressed. Nevertheless, Buemi over the last few races has shown what a talented driver he is and has closed the gap to a point heading into this weekend.

The big question this weekend for everyone is who will be crowned 2016 Formula E Drivers Champion? Will it be Lucas Di Grassi or will it be Sebastien Buemi that will take over from Nelson Piquet Jr as champion this season?

Let us not forget that this is DS Virgin Racing driver Sam Bird and NEXTEV driver Oliver Turvey's home race and both drivers will be wanting to get a good result in front of their home ground and also to prepare for next season as well in the best shape possible.

In an interview with the media this week, Bird is looking forward to heading back to the Battersea Track in London (which he won fabulously last year) and the challenges it presents to the team. Bird stated the following about the London ePrix as follows:-

London was one of my favourite circuits last year not only because it's sort of my home city, but also Formula E created a spectacular track with many different corners. It was a great venue, a sublime setting at Battersea Park! The track is quite narrow in areas with some big chicanes and a very fast first corner which is very tricky because of the camber of the road. says Bird.

Obviously we get quite a lot of rain in England and we need a cambered road to drain the water but it makes for interesting handling when negotiating a high-speed left hander, trying to go over the crown of the road and back down the other side. It's tricky for a single-seater racing car and something that isn't necessarily normal when you're negotiating turns on normal tracks

Further on in his interview this week with the media, Bird said he believes that even though there are two races in London this weekend and with the shock result he had last year, anything is possible in London and he would love to achieve the same result again this weekend in front of his home crowd who will be supporting him every step of the way. Bird added the following:-

You have to remember that we had two races last year so it's nothing new now. So at least if you don't have a good Saturday, you can have some redemption on a Sunday. Or if you have a good Saturday you're kind of thinking you're going to have a good Sunday because I've got the pace. The only worry is that if you're slow on Saturday, as it's like, 'Oh my god, what am I going to do? We didn't show any pace, what are we going to do tomorrow?' but I'm hoping that won't be the case, added Bird.

Last year's podium was the catalyst to some of the greatest podiums I've ever been a part of. I didn't expect that, I thought it was going to be a more traditional podium in front of a grandstand. When I walked on to that stage I was absolutely amazed, with thousands and thousands of people there standing in front of us. Obviously me being a home winner, I got an extra special welcome and it's something I will remember forever.

I would dearly love to repeat the success from last year – but what we do at Formula E, that started in London last year, is a very special moment for all of us drivers when we get on to that podium. It's become spectacular and it involves the fans more which is exactly what we want to do and what we have been doing as a series.

Here's the facts and figures going into the London ePrix this weekend-

Circuit Guide

•Number of laps – 33
•Fastest corner – Turn 1 (145kph)
•Longest straight – Pit straight (493m)

Past winners –
Sebastien Buemi, e.dams-Renault (2014),
Sam Bird, Virgin Racing (2015)

Qualifying record – 1:23:901 – Stephane Sarrazin, Venturi

Lap record – 1:26:790 – Sam Bird, Virgin Racing

To watch the coverage of the London ePrix this weekend, ITV 1 will be covering the first ePrix on Saturday 2nd July at 3pm, with highlights being shown on ITV on Sunday 3rd July at 11am. ITV 1 will also be covering the second ePrix on Sunday 3rd July at 3pm.

The London ePrix will also be streamed live online in the UK via YouTube, Dailymotion and through the official Formula E App and website –
http://www.fiaformuale.com

Keep checking Driving for Pleasure for our coverage of the 2016 London ePrix with our reports of each session.

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa