On April 1, 2016, I was behind the scenes in the Andretti Formula E Paddock in Long Beach, CA, broadcasting a live, in-depth panel discussion that dove into the the world of Formula E, the international fully-electric car racing series.
The races began with two practice sessions, an opening 45-minute session followed by another 30-minute session. Drivers were divided into four groups of five, with each group having six minutes to set their best lap. Drivers had 200 kW of power available to them throughout the race and were only able to use one car. The five fastest drivers then went around again, one-by-one, in the Super Pole shoot-out to determine the top five grid positions. The race itself lasted approximately 50 minutes with drivers making one mandatory pit stop to change cars.
In its second season, the FIA Formula E series cars looked the same as they did in season one. Looks can be deceiving, however, as major changes have happened under the hood. This season, teams had the option to develop their own electric powertrains, whereas previously a standard McLaren-built motor was mandatory. Seven out of 10 opted to change it up, with only three choosing to stick with the original set-up.
During the panel discussion, I talked to notable drivers, engineers, and C-level executives, who revealed how TE Connectivity’s partnership with Andretti Technologies is helping the team reach new levels of speed, while also serving as a harsh environment development test bed for TE’s new products and solutions.