Mexico ePrix: Historical Formula E Set This Weekend; Sebastien Buemi Leads by Four Points
Mexican racing fans are in for a treat as their country is set to host the historical fifth round of the FIA Formula E on Saturday where the Mexico City ePrix is to be launched.
History is set to be written in Mexico City on Saturday, March 12, as the border country hosts its first ever ePrix.
"Formula E is all about making history. People are very, very excited," Team Aguri's Mexican racer Salvador Duran said in an exclusive interview with CNN.
Racers driving electric cars from all over the world will participate in the historical event, a new treat for Mexicans who have yet to understand what the sport is all about.
"The fans here are loving the idea of having electric cars racing on Mexico City's track. They want to understand more about what the cars are capable of doing and what the series is all about," Duran explained.
The Circuit
According to Fox Sports, racers will be driving on a 1.33-mile long circuit at the Autodromo Hermaons Rodriguez where the Formula One Mexican Grand Prix will also be held.
In October 2015, Mexico welcomed British Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton who enjoyed the Latin culture by competing not on a race track but in a wrestling ring.
The Race
Swiss racer Sebastien Buemi is currently holding the lead with 80 points, while Brazilian driver Lucas Di Grassi trailing behind him with 76 points.
According to results posted on the official FIA Formula E website, Buemi's lead was a result of his victory over his competitors in the races held in Beijing, China in October 2015 and in Buenos Aires, Argentina in February 2016.
Di Grassi and the other racers from all over the world have seven more races to try to dethrone Buemi before he is crowned the champion of the FIA Formula E Season 2.
The Mexico City race will be streamed live via the official Formula E YouTube channel on Saturday during these times:
- Free Practice 1: 08:15 Mexico City time
- Free Practice 2: 10:30 Mexico City time
- Qualifying: 12:00 Mexico City time
- RACE: 16:00 Mexico City time
What is Formula E?
Unbeknownst to most, Formula E and Formula 1 are two different races.
According to the Huffington Post, the Formula 1 "represents the pinnacle of conventional motor racing" while the Formula E showcases the best of electric cars via a contest of speed.
While they may seem similar, the outlet emphasized that Formula E is better because of the benefits of electric cars, including the absence of air pollution that is usually the problem with F1 races.
No pollution means more chance of races in the central cities of each of the countries the races are held in.
Another advantage of Formula E is the FanBoost feature that allows fans to support and vote for their favorite racers online. The racer who gets most votes will then receive a time boost during the race.