New track, new ambitions. Mainly because DS Penske likes to go to places where no one has ever driven a Formula E. Usually, circuits that have never seen an electric single-seater, where weekend success depends on preparation – and therefore experience – work well for Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne.
Top finishers last year in the race in India and strong leaders in the first races of their kind this season, Vergne and Vandoorne also hold a third of the titles awarded since the series began. They therefore arrive in China with strong and legitimate ambitions. Strong ambitions and also good memories in China, where motorsport is gaining notoriety.
Indeed, the last time Formula E raced there – in 2019 on the ephemeral Sanya circuit – it was Vergne who won. It was March, and it was the first victory of the season for the then reigning champion; his single-seater, prepared by DS Performance, the competition department of DS Automobiles, had surprised the competition with an above-average pace and efficiency.
Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, DS E-Tense FE23
Photo by: DPPI
Energy management will once again be key
The Shanghai circuit, 3.05 km long and with 12 curves, represents a challenge for electric single-seaters. Since it is a permanent track, it does not require the same energy consumption calculations as a city track. The start is particularly interesting, with the first corners closing in on themselves and then giving way to a short straight that ends with a hairpin. The rest of the track is quite fast, with some long corners, while the lap ends with a chicane before the pit straight.
“Since the start of the season, we have seen that our work in the simulator has had a positive impact on the track,” says Vergne. “We are often well placed in both practice and qualifying, where in the last few races we have regularly been above the quarter-finals. We still don’t know anything about the level of each driver on the Shanghai track, but I hope that the plans we have drawn up will allow us to fight in the head.”
Team DS Penske arrives in Shanghai after celebrating its 50th podium (out of 115 starts) in Berlin just two weeks ago. If we add to this the victories (16) and titles (four, including two constructors’ titles), it is worth underlining that it is the team with the highest number of awards in Formula E.
Will these figures increase in the two races in Shanghai? We’ll find out on Saturday evening, after the conclusion of the first race.
Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, DS E-Tense FE23
Photo by: DPPI
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