Monaco ePrix 2017: A High-Speed Event to Kick Start the Riviera Racing Season

The popular ePrix fixture in Monaco is returning on 13th May 2017. Officially known as the FIA Formula E Championship, Formula E is the environmentally-friendly answer to Formula One. The participating cars are electric-powered. The series was conceived in 2012 and the first ever Monaco ePrix took place in May 2015. It’s a wonderful opportunity to indulge in luxury car hire in France.

Monaco ePrix 2017
Monaco ePrix 2017

Monaco’s ePrix race circuit has been a huge success, not least because this picturesque city-state is already closely associated with high-level motor racing. The bi-annual race has now become the highlight of the Formula E calendar with many people choosing to rent a luxury car and visit Monaco to watch the event. The streets come alive and it’s a great warm-up to the Grand Prix for all ages.

The event entails twenty drivers racing their all-electric racing cars around a slightly shortened version of the famous Monaco F1 circuit. The day begins with two practice sessions in the morning, an opening 45-minute session followed by a further 30-minute session. Drivers each have two cars at their disposal with 200 kW available.That’s followed by an hour-long midday qualifying session where drivers are divided into four groups of five, with each group having six minutes to set their best lap. The five fastest drivers then individually go out again to determine the top five grid positions.

The actual race lasts 50 minutes with each driver being restricted to 170 kW and allowed one pit stop. In a kind of video game come to life, fans can vote for their favorite driver on social media to give them an extra power boost. The three winning “Fanboost” drivers each receive an extra 100 kJ of energy to be used in a power window between 180 kW and 200 kW.

Formula C
Formula C

The Formula E cars will race around a modified version of the F1 circuit, focused on the Port of Monaco, and including the infamous Piscine, the tight 135-degree right-hander La Rascasse, Sainte Devote and Tabac Corner. The circuit is a total of 2 km long but despite its shorter length, it will exude the same amount of excitement and challenge as the complete circuit. The cars are limited to an FIA maximum speed of 225 kilometers per hour but would be able to do more if allowed.

Prominent marques include Renault, Hyundai and Mazda. While electric power has played a role in Formula 1 cars in recent years, perhaps it is only a matter of time before the most important series in motor racing turns to fully electric cars. Renault is working harder than most to persuade car enthusiasts that electric motors are every bit as exciting as internal combustion engines. Its electric Zoe car now has a range of 250 miles and the stunning 2-seater electric coupé, Renault Trezor Concept is exploring just what is possible with future electric cars.

Other hosts of the FIA (FederacionInternationale de l’Automobile) Formula E Championship include the cosmopolitan cities of Berlin, New York and Buenos Aires. However, strategically scheduled just before the famous Grand Prix and at the start of the summer holiday season on the Riviera, the Monaco ePrix promises to be a very exciting event! Make the most of it by indulging a fabulous luxury car rental, whether it’s electric or standard.

Monaco ePrix 2017
Monaco ePrix 2017

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