In its fifth season, Formula E is more thrilling than ever before. The six races held to date in 2018/2019 have seen six different winners, so the battle for the top spots in the drivers’ and teams’ classifications is particularly close. The seventh of the season’s 13 races this Saturday (April 13) in Rome again promises suspense galore – with best chances for Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt, the two drivers of the reigning teams’ champion, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler.

Lucas di Grassi experienced ups and downs in the first half of the season: In Mexico, the 34-year-old Brazilian spectacularly clinched his first victory this season on the final lap. In Hong Kong, he finished runner-up. Most recently, in Sanya (China), he was just about to take the lead of the standings, but then retired shortly before the end of the race due to a collision not of his own doing and went home without points. His teammate, Daniel Abt, in the first half of the season primarily impressed with his consistency: the German finished each of the six races held so far and scored points.

In the drivers’ classification, di Grassi and Abt are currently ranked in positions five and seven. In the intermediate classification of the teams, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler is currently in second position. “With the competition being so extremely close at the moment, we should still have every chance of success up until the season’s finale in July,” says Lucas di Grassi with unwavering optimism. Following events in the Middle East, Africa, South and Central America, and Asia, the E-Prix in Rome will kick off the European season of the fully electric racing series. Formula E is visiting Italy’s capital for the second time after 2018. The race will be held on a challenging circuit in the southwestern part of the “Eternal City” that’s very popular with all the drivers.

This is Formula E

Formula E is an FIA-sanctioned motor racing series for fully electric cars. In 2018/2019, Formula E season five, eleven teams and 22 drivers are on the grid. Formula E races worldwide on temporary circuits in the hearts of metropolises such as Hong Kong, Berlin and New York City. From December 15, 2018 until July 14, 2019, the ABB FIA Formula E Championship is holding 13 rounds at twelve venues. Each race lasts 45 minutes, plus one lap.

Schaeffler in Formula E

Schaeffler is one of the co-founders and one of the most notable and successful players in Formula E, which was established in 2014. In 2016/2017, Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler won the drivers’ title (Lucas di Grassi) and in 2017/2018, the teams’ title (Lucas di Grassi/Daniel Abt). Schaeffler has been contributing its know-how to the development of the powertrain of Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler’s race cars since 2015. In doing so, the company demonstrates its expertise in forward-thinking technologies and presents ideas for sustainable mobility for tomorrow in the innovative electric racing series as well.

The new Formula E technology

In season five, Formula E is entering its second era. The most conspicuous innovation for 2018/2019 going forward: Every driver has only one race car anymore. The reason is that the second-generation cars mark the end of the mid-race car swaps previously required at each Formula E event because the battery capacity is now sufficient for the entire race distance. New as well starting this season is the cars’ futuristic design without a rear wing, plus the Halo protection system above the cockpit.

The new Audi e-tron FE05 was meticulously developed by Audi Sport and Schaeffler with the new technical and strategic challenges in mind. The motor-generator unit named Audi Schaeffler MGU03, the centerpiece of the Audi e-tron FE05, was jointly developed by the two technology partners. 95 percent of all powertrain components are new, having resulted in weight savings of ten percent. Two Audi e-tron FE05 cars are fielded by the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler factory team for Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt.