eRacing Magazine Vol 2. Issue 7 | Page 69

The FIA has revealed (below) the 10 teams which have been validated to enter the registration process for the second season of the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship.

As with the inaugural season, 10 teams – each with two drivers – will compete in the 2015-2016 season. The 10 teams will now submit their registration to the FIA to be verified after July 24 2015.

Virgin Racing will now become DS Virgin Racing following its partnership with DS Automobiles, whilst Audi Sport ABT will be known as ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport after their tie-up with the leading technology manufacturer.

The 10 Formula E teams are:

ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport

Andretti Formula E Team

Dragon Racing

DS Virgin Racing

e.dams-Renault

Mahindra Racing

NEXTEV TCR

Team Aguri

Trulli Formula E

Venturi Formula E

Mahindra have of course yet to decide on an engineering partner – having ceased their association with Carlin - while Team Aguri will continue without previous

naming rights sponsor Amlin (who are rumoured to be partnering with another squad in season two).

Amlin Aguri team boss Mark Preston has confirmed to Current E that the team will stick with the existing powertrain package next season.

“We’re going to stay with the current car. Because the battery is not changing (it’s going to be refreshed), that means that we’ve only got the same amount of power in the race and therefore there is no real difference in the race mode.”

With software remaining open for the second season, calculating energy usage and mapping will still remain a major

factor in race strategy, however there’s no guarantee whether season one’s Renault eSpark will have an advantage (or disadvantage) in its cooling capacity; with overheating being a major contributor to performance loss this season.

But Preston remains optimistic that the Aguri squad can punch above their weight by capitalizing on the technology lessons learned during their debut year.

“At McLaren myself and Peter actually carried over one of the cars one year and came second in the championship by one point from Ferrari”, he said. “so we know it’s possible.”

10 teams Sign on for season two