The European leg of the season will include further races in France, Monte Carlo, Germany and Switzerland before the teams and drivers attend the season finale in the United States.

After successfully entering the electric racing car stage last year, the Italian capital is hosting its second E-Prix this weekend (Saturday, 13 April). The action will again take place on the specially designed Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR, where the Gen2 cars will compete on the 2.87 km long lap. The start/finish line is located at Via Cristoforo Colombo with the cars racing around the Obelisco di Marconi and past the iconic Colosseo Quadrato.

Last time out

Last year the historic landmarks created a spectacular backdrop for an exciting event. The inaugural race was won by Sam Bird of DS Virgin Racing. He held off a late charge from Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler’s Lucas di Grassi, who finished second, with Andre Lotterer crossing the line third for TECHEETAH. Pole-sitter Felix Rosenqvist was seemingly in control over the first half of the race but had to retire on lap 23 with a rear suspension failure promoting Bird to first place. In the latter stages of the race Mitch Evans from Panasonic Jaguar Racing charged up the order with di Grassi, Lotterer and their respective team-mates Daniel Abt and Jean-Eric Vergne close behind. Evans down on energy on the final laps, was powerless to defend himself from the cars behind and lost his position. The race ended up being a nail-biting run to the flag, with di Grassi crossing the line less than a second behind Bird.

Standings so far

Six races into the 2018/2019 season of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship the title fight is still wide open. So far the top spot on the podium was taken by a different driver from a different team in each round. The six race winners also make up the top six of the drivers’ standings and are only separated by 10 points. The teams’ standings are even closer. Envision Virgin Racing and MAHINDRAH RACING are currently level on points, with Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler in third place just one point behind and DS TEECHEETAH a further point back.

Predicting a winner for Rome might be difficult, but it will most certainly be another close fought battle. Ludi incipient – let the games begin!

New and old faces

Due to racing commitments outside of Formula E, GEOX DRAGON driver Felipe Nasr will miss the race in Italy. The Brazilian with be replaced by Maximilian Günther, who was already behind the wheel of the Penske EV-3 during the first three races of the season. There will also be a new face at Panasonic Jaguar Racing, as Nelson Piquet Jr. has left the squad earlier this month. Formula E returnee Alex Lynn will take his seat and partner Mitch Evans from Rome onwards.  

Away from the track

On Thursday night (11 April) some of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship drivers have been brave enough to challenge the AS Roma Legends in a one-off charity football match. Felipe Massa will captain the Formula E team, while none other than former Italian national player and AS Roma star Francesco Totti will lead the legends side. The broadcast will be live on Formula E channels from 6pm (CEST).

You can find the circuit map here.