This coming weekend, the ABB FIA Formula E Championship will be in Bern (SUI) for the first time, for the eleventh race of the season. Our preview provides you with the most importance facts about the circuit and the key factors for a successful Julius Baer Swiss E-Prix.
| TRACK FACTS BERN. | |
| Circuit length | 2.750 km. Anticlockwise. |
| Corners | 8 left and 6 right handers. Slowest corner: under 50 km/h. Fastest corner: approx. 90 km/h. |
| Track surface | Probably very uneven, alternating surfaces. |
| Grip level | Low. Leaves may make the track slippery and be a disadvantage for qualifying group 1. |
| Circuit layout | Very demanding. Relatively high average speed. Therefore, relatively high energy consumption. Great differences in altitude (up to 50 metres). Relatively high top speed on a downhill section (approx. 225 km/h). Several straights, but a very narrow track make overtaking very difficult. |
| Tyre wear | Likely to be high. Narrow chicanes and long straights mean lots of stopping and starting on the track. |
| Attack Zone | ATTACK MODE is activated on a straight. This means there will be hardly any time loss. |
| Pit lane | Very long and narrow. |
| Risk of crashes | Very high due to the narrow, demanding track. |
| Key factors | Good starting position, great efficiency of drive train, good and exact energy management. |
Quotes ahead of the Julius Baer Swiss E-Prix:
Roger Griffiths (Team Principal BMW i Andretti Motorsport):
“Bern as a venue is uncharted territory for every Formula E team. In the first instance, this poses organisational and logistical challenges for us because we need to get to grips with a new environment. From a racing perspective we have some simulation data, but will only really be able to tell what is in store once we get there. This is good news for Alexander Sims, since as a Formula E rookie this time he will be starting the race weekend on exactly the same basis as his experienced rivals. We hope that the track will suit us and that we can end the European season on a high.”
Alexander Sims (#27 BMW iFE.18):
“It feels good to be coming to Bern with a top ten result in Berlin under my belt. The circuit there will be new for everybody, so we are all starting under the same conditions. The goal must be to get used to the conditions as quickly as possible and to have a steep learning curve. At first glance, the track looks very tight and has plenty of climbs and descents. It is very different to the circuit in Berlin. I am excited about the challenge as Formula E provides new surprises from race to race.”
António Félix da Costa (#28 BMW iFE.18):
“Bern is the last race before the grand season finale in New York. Looking at the championship, it is especially important to record a good result there and hopefully be involved in the battle for the win. The circuit looks very exciting but we will only get a real feeling for it when we are there, as none of us have driven in Bern before. Switzerland was a great host last year, so I am really looking forward to the race.”
The FANBOOST vote.
FANBOOST gives Formula E fans the opportunity to vote for their favourite driver and award them an extra boost of power during the race. The five drivers with the most FANBOOST votes are awarded a significant burst of power, which they can deploy in a five-second window during the second half of the race. Fans can vote for their favourite driver in the six days prior to, and leading up to 15 minutes into, each race. Each fan can vote once per day. There are three ways to vote: Online at https://fanboost.fiaformulae.com/, via the official Formula E App or on Twitter using the hashtag #FANBOOST plus the drivers first and last name as a one-word hashtag.
Hashtags of the BMW i Andretti Motorsport drivers:
#AlexanderSims
#AntonioFelixdaCosta
