Rohan Inteti

Rohan Inteti

Mr. Coussens

English 4

24 April 2020

Formula E and Aerodynamics

State-of-the-art technological masterpieces that can bolt from zero to one-hundred kilometers an hour in under three seconds. Electric racing machines that fly at speeds up to two-hundred and eighty kilometers an hour (Performance). Formula E is a fully-electric motorsport competition with races in the streets of New York City, London, Seoul, and many more cities across the globe (Race Calendar). Ever since I can remember, I was interested in anything related to cars, especially electric cars and the Formula 1 racing competition. I have always been fascinated by how fast these artificial creations can move. Consequently, this led to my interest in Formula E, as it is essentially a mixture of both electric cars and Formula 1. My capstone project is about designing the Gen2 Formula E car using CAD (computer-aided design) software to learn how the aerodynamic technology allows the car to drive faster, accelerate quicker, and have more precise turns. To accomplish my project I needed to learn more about the Formula E competition itself, as well as rudimentary aerodynamic technology in cars. Some basic aerodynamic components of race cars are front wings, diffusers, and fairings. Through my research, I hope to educate others on the design of Formula E cars and how it utilizes aerodynamics to be the extraordinarily quick innovation that it is.

Formula E is an international fully-electric single-seater racing competition that was initiated on September 13, 2014, in Beijing. Formula E and Formula 1 are both represented by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), an international automobile federation that governs racing competitions (Simpson). The idea of Formula E developed in the mind of Alejandro Agag and was written down on napkins. Agag, who would soon be the CEO of Formula E created the competition with the help of the president of the FIA, Jean Todt, and racecar driver Lucas Di Grassi. Their vision soon came to life in 2014, and Formula E is now one of the fastest-growing motorsport competitions (History). The motorsport competition comprises twelve teams, each with two drivers and two cars. The majority of teams in Formula E are well-known car brands such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, while there are some independent and family teams that are relatively unknown such as Techeetah and Andretti. The race itself, known as the “e-Prix” lasts around fifty minutes and occurs on narrow racetracks with many twists and turns. These races take place in populated cities around the world throughout each year (Simpson). Formula E is an electrifying, fast-paced race that is exciting for both drivers and fans.

The first car created for the Formula E competition was not as fast or aerodynamic as the current Gen2 car, but it still was exhilarating for fans to view. This car was known as the Spark-Renault SRT_01E and was created for the 2014-2015 season. The SRT_01E was created by many car companies, as it was designed by Spark Racing Technology, it had a motor supplied by Mclaren based off of the Mclaren P1 supercar that produced two-hundred and seventy brake horsepower, and contained a battery supplied by Williams. All of these systems and components were compiled together to form an incredible racing machine with the help of Renault. Unfortunately, the SRT_01E did have a major problem as it only had a twenty-eight kilowatt battery, so the drivers had to switch to cars half-way between each race because the battery was not sufficient (Fingas). “Fanboost,” an artificial-driver aid was implemented into the competition to make the race more exciting for fans to watch. Fans voted which five drivers could use this extra boost of power during a race within a five-second time frame (Simpson). From 2014 to 2018, the motorsport competition only consisted of ten teams, unlike the twelve teams that are now participating. Before the 2018-2019 season, teams were not allowed to “innovate” the mechanics of the cars, so the races were not adrenaline-rushing as they are today (Fingas). The first car used in the Formula E competition, the SRT_01E was not adequate to the standards that Formula E teams and fans desired, so a new car was created.

After the 2017-2018 season, a new car was introduced to Formula E. This car was a new, more advanced car, and was known as the Spark SRT05 (Gen2). Teams were also allowed to innovate the mechanics of the new car, unlike prior seasons. This allowed a diversity of cars which would then create more exciting races. Formula E fans finally received what they desired, a new car after four similar seasons of racing. The Gen2 car boasted a new fifty-four kilowatt battery supplied by Mclaren Applied Technologies, which could last an entire race, unlike the SRT_01E. The power output of the Gen2 car compared to the SRT_01E increased from two-hundred kilowatts to two-hundred and fifty kilowatts. Conserving and harvesting battery power was an important tactic that drivers used during races (Hanley). Another feature added in the fifth season was “attack mode,” and allowed drivers to use an extra 25 kilowatts of power in certain areas of the racetrack. The amount of these boosts that could be used was decided right before each race so that teams would have to strategize how they would use the boosts. Along with fan boost, in the fifth season attack mode was incorporated into races to make races more exciting for fans (Herrero). A halo above the driver’s seat was implemented in the Gen2 car to protect drivers during crashes. Along with all these changes made in the fifth season of the Formula E competition, the aerodynamic technology of the new Gen2 car was the most noticeable. The Spark SRT05’s new, sleek design stunned the fans of Formula E. The wheel fairings for the front wheels and diffuser charmed all who viewed it (Hanley). According to Ars Technia, “The primary aerodynamic concern is with reducing drag and maximizing efficiency, not chasing downforce.” Along with every electric car, the “slippier” that the Gen2 car is moving through the air, the less energy they expend (Hanley). The new technology of the Gen2 car allows it to zoom from zero to one-hundred kilometers an hour in under three seconds, and even reach speeds up to two-hundred and eighty kilometers an hour, or around one-hundred and seventy-four miles per hour (Performance). The current Gen2 car was a major improvement from the older SRT_01E, and it helped progress and expose the Formula E competition.

Formula E suddenly introduced a new car that would be used in the e-Prix after the current 2019-2020 season. For the 2020-2021 season, Formula E has revealed a new car, the Gen2 EVO. Compared to the current Gen2 car, the Gen2 EVO has “a new front wing, dorsal fin, and distinctive curved rear wing.” These new changes developed a new, more “sleek and agile” looking bodywork (Introducing). The new structural changes and technological advances produce faster speeds and better turns due to its reprofiled aerodynamic technology (Trenaman). Similar to the past two seasons, there will be twelve teams, each with two drivers and two cars. Formula E fans are looking forward to the new season and all the excitement that it brings with a brand new car.

Through my research on Formula E cars and aerodynamics, I have gained an abundance of information on Formula E and the aerodynamic technology within the motorsport competition’s cars. I have learned a lot more about the history of the Formula E competition, and all the cars that were created to race in the e-Prix. This knowledge has given me a greater understanding of aerodynamic technologies used in all types of automobiles, and even other vehicles including aircrafts. I have also learned a plethora of information about the Formula E competition which I am extremely interested in, and how it will grow in the near future. I will design a 3D model of a Formula E car using CAD software for my capstone project as previously mentioned. I will utilize what I learned about aerodynamic technology during my design process to design a 3D model of the Formula E car. My project educates others by presenting information on the aerodynamic technology used in Formula E cars. I am excited to incorporate the information that I have learned to my capstone project, and will perhaps even intrigue others who are interested in automobile design.

Works Cited Page

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5, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW0aCIux9Po. April 22, 2020

Fingas, Jon. “Formula E Details Spark-Renault's SRT_01E Electric Race Car.” Engadget,

September 10, 2013 www.engadget.com/2013-09-10-spark-renault-formula-e-car.html. Accessed April 8, 2020.

Gitlin, Jonathan M. “Formula E's New Electric Car Looks like Nothing Else in Racing.” Ars

Technica, 30 Jan. 2018, https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/01/formula-es-new-electric

-car-looks-like-nothing-else-in-racing/. Accessed April 24, 2020.

Hanley, Steve. “Next-Generation Formula E Racer Is A Huge Step Forward.” CleanTechnica,

January 31, 2018, https://cleantechnica.com/2018/01/31/next-generation-formula

-e-racer-huge-step-forward/. Accessed April 13, 2020.

Herrero, Daniel. “Formula E Confirms Details of Unique Boost Mode.” Speedcafe, June

9, 2018, https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/06/08/formula-e-confirms-details-unique-boost-

mode/.

“History: The Formula E Story.” Formula E | FIA Formula E, https://www.fiaformulae.com

/en/discover/history. Accessed April 8, 2020.

“Introducing: The Gen2 EVO World Championship Car.” Formula E | FIA Formula E,

12 Apr. 2020, https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2020/feb/formula-e-gen2-evo-

revealed. Accessed April 13, 2020.

“Race Calendar.” Formula E | FIA Formula E, 24 Apr. 2020, https://www.fiaformulae.com/

en/championship/race-calendar. Accessed April 22, 2020.

Simpson, Joe. “What Is Formula E? Venues, Races, Teams and Tech Explained.” Pocket-Lint,

December 27, 2018, https://www.pocket-lint.com/cars/news/jaguar/145139-what-is-

formula-e. Accessed April 13, 2020.

“The History of Formula E: How It All Began.” Julius Baer, Bank Julius Baer, 16 July 2018,

https://www.juliusbaer.com/en/insights/formula-e/the-history-of-formula-e-how-it-all-began/. Accessed April 13, 2020.

Trenaman, Calum. “Formula E Reveals New Car Design with Shark-like Fin.” CNN, Cable

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