As the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team tackles rounds 13 and 14 of the 2021/22 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the team can expect to have to deal with a slightly modified circuit, changes in track surface plus variable lighting conditions and differences in elevation.
- Stoffel Vandoorne: “A few changes have been made to the track, but overtaking will still be very difficult, so doing really well in qualifying will be crucial.”
- Nyck de Vries: “Last year we were very competitive at this track, so we hope to build on that and have a great weekend before heading to Seoul for the final two races of the season.”
- Ian James: “At this stage in the season, there is still 25% of the total points to fight for – so it’s likely to go down to the wire. However, this is what we all do it for: the chance to get out on top at the very end. Our next challenge on the way to achieve that goal will be these two races in London, and we can’t wait to make our fans, friends, family and partners proud.”
- Further information, statistics and facts about the upcoming E-Prix can be found in the Race Facts on our media site
The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team is heading to London this weekend (July 30/31 2022) to contest the penultimate race weekend of the 2021/22 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The UK capital’s ExCel Circuit is set to host the all-electric racing series for a second time; Formula E races were previously contested on a circuit at Battersea Park in the first two seasons.
The circuit that runs along the River Thames and through a section of the exhibition halls that form part of the Exhibition Centre London (ExCeL for short) has been slightly altered for Season 8, and the 2.141-km track is around 100 metres shorter for this season as compared to last year when it premiered.
Turns 10 and 11 used to be two hairpin bends following in succession but have been altered and replaced by a chicane, followed by another chicane after a short straight leading to Turns 12 and 13 which remain unchanged. The number of corners in total remains the same at 22, but the track now flows more following the changes.
Drivers are expected to cover a race distance of around 37 laps in both races and be at full throttle for some 18 seconds of the time. Cars should reach a top speed of 194 km/h as they head for Turn 1 which is also seen to be the best place to overtake. The activation zone for Attack Mode is on the outside of Turn 16.
A lap begins inside the exhibition hall on super smooth tarmac that affords plenty of grip. After a number of turns in quick succession, drivers then leave the hall to be met with extremely abrasive tarmac on the outside. A number of challenges lie in store for drivers at the ExCeL Circuit due to the different track surfaces, the differences in elevation and the constant switching from floodlighting to daylight and back again.
The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team is competing in London for a second time. Nyck de Vries finished runner-up in both races last year while Stoffel Vandoorne was on pole for Race 2 in Season 7.
As was the case last time out in New York, the penultimate race weekend of this current season is another double header with races taking place on Saturday and Sunday (race start at 15:04 BST on both days). As we head into the weekend, Stoffel has an eleven-point lead over Edoardo Mortara in the Drivers’ Standings while Nyck is eighth. In the Team Standings, the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team leads Venturi Racing by ten points.
Comments ahead of the London E-Prix 2022
Stoffel Vandoorne:
“It’s going to be great to be back in London. There are four races to go and the fight for the championship is really hotting up, but that’s not about to change my attitude towards the weekend. We just have to keep doing what we’ve been doing since the start of the year, which is to perform well in every session while trying to secure as many points as possible. I have mixed feelings about last year’s race weekend in London. I had a pretty strong Sunday with pole position and the race lead, but then unfortunately, I hit a low spot when my race was ended for me. Things should be a bit different this year, as a few changes have been made to the track, but overtaking will still be very difficult, so doing really well in qualifying will be crucial. Let’s wait and see how it all turns out! We just need two strong qualifying sessions and should then be able to deliver two decent races.”
Nyck de Vries:
“The London E-Prix is the last race weekend in Europe of the season and we are really looking forward to it, as it is also kind of a home race for the team. Many friends, colleagues and family members will surely cheer us on in London. Last year we were very competitive at this track, so we hope to build on that and have a great weekend before heading to Seoul for the final two races of the season. The excitement is building and we feel ready and prepared for London where hopefully we can get a good points haul for the whole team.”
Ian James, Team Principal:
“As we come closer to the end of this season, the competition gets even more fierce and the stakes are getting higher. So far this season, we’ve managed well to perform under pressure and difficult circumstances; New York was a great example of each and every member of the team pulling together to put us in a position to maximise our potential.
Aside from the logical end-of-season excitement – which, to be clear, is part of the game and only motivates us to deliver to the best of our capabilities – the race weekend in London will be the team’s 2nd “home race”, after Berlin. Our operational team is based in the UK, just over an hour’s drive away from the track, and we will see team members’ family and friends join us at the races on Saturday and Sunday.
On one hand, it’s strange to think that we only have four more races in two locations to go this season! On the other, there are still 25% of the total points to fight for – so it’s likely to go down to the wire. However, this is what we all do it for: the chance to get out on top at the very end. Our next challenge on the way to achieve that goal will be these two races in London, and we can’t wait to make our fans, friends, family and partners proud.”
Where to watch
Don’t miss any of the action this weekend, and follow the team on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Or, head here to find out how to watch all sessions live in your region.
| Round 13 | ||
| Session | Date | Time (BST) |
| Practice 1 | 29 July 2022 | 17:15-17:45 |
| Practice 2 | 30 July 2022 | 09:00-09:30 |
| Qualifying | 30 July 2022 | 10:40-11:55 |
| E-Prix | 30 July 2022 | 15:04-16:00 |
| Round 14 | ||
| Session | Date | Time (BST) |
| Practice 3 | 31 July 2022 | 08:30-09:00 |
| Qualifying | 31 July 2022 | 10:40-11:55 |
| E-Prix | 31 July 2022 | 15:04-16:00 |
