Formula E: Season Six Preview.
FIA Formula E returns to the track in the form of pre-season testing with teams and drivers eager to test out their new machinery.
Every new livery we have seen so far in beautiful, beautiful motion – which is your favourite? #FETesting pic.twitter.com/zbPos88I57
— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) October 17, 2019
After such an incredible and exciting ending to last season, this year is expected to be on the same level.
There’s been a few changes but every team who competed last season, will return and Season 6 sees the entries of Porsche and Mercedes.
Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team will take-over from affiliated HWA while Porsche will join the grid as a new entry.
Season 6 Calendar
The sixth season of the world-famous electric racing series will start in Saudi Arabia this November.
Ending in style when the series returns to the United Kingdom for the double-header finale in July.
The sport will make it’s debut in Korea aswell as its Indonesian debut with the Jakarta ePrix.
DS Techeetah
The reigning champions DS Techeetah took back-to-back titles last season.
Jean-Eric Vergne, now Formula E’s first and only double champion, teamed up with Andre Lotterer.
The duo claiming 222 points between them to lift the constructors trophy.
For season 6, Vergne stays with Techeetah as Lotterer joins Porsche in their debut season.
It was also revealed that former BMW I Andretti driver, Antonio Felix da Costa will partner the Parisian.
Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler
For the 7th consecutive season, Audi will retain its line-up of Season 3 champion Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt.
The pair have been team-mates since the start of the championship in its inaugural season in 2014/15.
Di Grassi registered two wins and another podium appearance while Abt claimed two podiums to ensure that Audi remained 2nd in the championship.
Envision Virgin Racing
Having finished 3rd last season with three victories and three other podiums.
Virgin will retain Sam Bird and Robin Frijns for their 2019/20 campaign.
Nissan e.Dams
Nissan confirmed on the 5th of September that the team would retain both Season 2 Champion Sebastian Buemi and impressive rookie Oliver Rowland.
The team had a slow start to the season but results picked-up towards the end including Buemi taking the team’s first win in Round 12 in New York City.
The team took a record-breaking 6 Pole Positions out of a possible 13 but sometimes, this pace would disappear come race time.
BMW I Andretti Motorsport
BMW were tipped as early title contenders following their impressive Pre-Season pace but mixed results through-out the season prevented the team from making a serious challenge.
Having parted ways with Da Costa, the team announced on that former GEOX Dragon driver, Maximilian Guenther would drive for them.
His teammate will be Alexander Sims, who finished last season strongly to 13th in the championship.
Mahindra Racing
Despite a strong start to the season with Jerome d’Ambrosio taking a podium and then a win in Saudi Arabia and in Marrakesh, the campaign continued with mixed results.
Newcomer Pascal Wehrlein impressed with the German finishing in 12th behind d’Ambrosio in the final standings.
Wehrlein was in talks about a possible F1 return with Haas F1 but despite this, he will be retained along with d’Ambrosio for the upcoming season.
Panasonic Jaguar Racing
Despite finishing in 7th, one place down on their finishing position from the previous season.
The british outfit had one of their best campaigns in Formula E so far.
After six rounds, Season 1 champion, Nelson Piquet Jr departed from the team.
The Brazilian being replaced by Alex Lynn to partner Mitch Evans and it was Evans who took the team’s first FE win in Rome.
Evans will stay on after signing a multi-year contract and will be partnered by James Calado.
Venturi Racing
Former Ferrari and Williams F1 driver, Felipe Massa, will stay on at the Monaco based outfit having signed a three-year deal when he joined the team in May 2018.
Edoardo Mortara, who claimed his maiden win in the sport after a time penalty for Sam Bird saw the Swiss claim victory, will stay on.
Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team
Mercedes, who are also making their series debut, revealed their Season 6 challenger along with their driver line-up which consists of Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries.
Vandoorne, who raced for HWA last season, finished in 16th with a haul of 35 points and a podium finish in Rome.
Joining Vandoorne will be newly crowned F2 Champion, Nyck de Vries.
This seat alongside Vandoorne was contested by Esteban Gutierrez and Gary Paffett, who drove for HWA alongside Vandoorne last season.
GEOX Dragon
Having enduring one of their most difficult campaigns so far in Formula E.
Dragon have signed former F1 driver and two-time FIA WEC Champion Brendon Hartley for their Season 6 assault.
Joining the New Zealander will be Nico Muller, who for the past two seasons has been Test and Reserve drive for Audi.
NIO 333 Formula E Team
NIO endured a difficult campaign last season, finishing last of the 11 teams with only 7 points scored.
While Tom Dillmann failed to score, Oliver Turvey scored all 7 points for the team to finish in 20th in the standings.
Having being sold to Lisheng Racing but will continue under the NIO brand.
Turvey will stay on and will be partnered by Ma Qing Hua who returns to the sport.
TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team
Porsche joins the series this season and will field two experienced Porsche factory drivers.
The team announcing Andre Lotterer and Neel Jani as their drivers in December last year.
Lotterer left Techeetah to join Porsche after securing 4 podiums during his tenure at the team.
Jani previously raced in Formula E during the 2017/18 season with Dragon Racing but after the opening race weekend.
However, he abruptly quit to focus on his WEC commitments.
The sixth Formula E season will kick off on the 22nd of November for the Diriyah E-Prix.
We hope you stick with us her on Essaar as we bring you all the news & action of this upcoming season. Stay tuned!
