...but is actually pretty cool. The whirr of electric motors can't hold a candle to the wail of an F1 car (even in the V6 hybrid era), but when the cars are driving at 140 mph, very little of the sound that you hear actually comes from the motors. Instead, the sound of wind sweeping over the aerodynamic bodywork and the squeal of tires dominate. Hearing the tires chirp as the cars sped around the circuit was informative, helping me pick out where the cars were struggling to find grip. Furthermore, the combination of noises creates a robotic and futuristic effect, making for a exhilarating experience.
Going into the race weekend, I was skeptical. Not only is the nuanced sound reduced in videos, but the race cars also look lethargic. But from the moment the five red lights went out, I knew that the videos had been deceptive. The instant maximum torque produced by electric motors means the cars jump off the line, and as 20 cars blasted past me on the opening straight, I was blown away. Speeds do decrease deeper into the race as drivers look to conserve energy, but the cars continued to move around the track at a blistering pace.
The Brooklyn circuit is quite narrow and features some pretty tight turns, but it doesn't turn into a Monaco-like parade. Passing was plentiful, and a battle for the lead on Sunday between Sam Bird, Felix Rosenqvist, and Nick Heidfeld produced some fierce moves. Unlike fragile Formula 1 cars, a small touch doesn't result in irreparable damage. Many of the most exciting incidents of the weekend were because of the cars durability under light contact, for example when a defending Antonio Felix da Costa pushed into the side of Loic Duval as Duval attempted a pass around the outside, resulting in da Costa braking too late and spinning.
While watching from the grandstand allowed a better overall view of parts of the track, it was far more electrifying to experience the race from down below, just 15 feet from the action. However, the TV screens were positioned only for those sitting in the two grandstands, making it impossible to follow the rest of the race while viewing from the ground. Furthermore, some of the best spots on the track for passing were inaccessible, such as the first hairpin after the starting line. And only about half of the circuit was open to the general public--the pit entry and exit, finish line, and several turns were all off limits to those without a VIP pass. Formula E should not only provide more screens so that spectators can follow the race from the ground, but the entire circuit should be accessible as well to create a less isolating experience.
The eVillage "fan zone," was advertised as being full of entertainment but resulted in a brief visit. The BMW and Jaguar stands were the most interesting--Jaguar brought its I-Pace Concept while BMW showed off the i8, i3, and 530e-- and the Roborace concept also made an appearance. There were only a few other stands, which featured some uninteresting marketing material and the racing simulators, which were overcrowded throughout the weekend. However, the most disappointing part of the eVillage was the autograph session. The line was completely unsupervised by staff, resulting in many people jumping in at the front, and in the 30 allotted minutes the entire line moved about 20 feet. Hundreds of fans waited on the line for all 30 minutes only to be turned away, and with no explanation of why the line had barely moved. I managed to catch up with Alex Lynn on his walk back to the paddock for an autograph and selfie, but other people continued waiting even after the 30 minutes, since the staff didn't bother telling those at the back of the line that the session was done.
Despite the issues with the eVillage and viewing the race from the sidelines, the ePrix itself was an thrilling experience and I look forward to Formula E returning to Brooklyn in the future.
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