New FIA Formula E Safety Car from BMW Group made its debut at Rome E-Prix: the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW

14.04.21

Since the Rome E-Prix (ITA) at the weekend, a new FIA Formula E safety car leads the field in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship: the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW. The fully electric car was designed by BMW Motorsport such that racing technology makes it perfectly suited to the special requirements of an FIA Formula E safety car.

“The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the top electric racing series as well as an efficient way to promote urban sustainable mobility,” said FIA President Jean Todt. “The new Official Safety Car - the MINI Electric Pacesetter - is a case in point. As safety is one of the FIA's top priorities, we’ve collaborated with BMW Group and Formula E to develop a car model to play this key role. I have had the pleasure to test it in Rome last weekend and its first outing has met the expectations. It has reminded me of nice memories as I started to compete in Rally in a Mini Cooper.“

In light of adverse weather conditions and races with some incidents, the new FIA Formula E safety car was called into action four times on its debut in Rome. “It is fantastic to have a fully electric car leading the Formula E field,” said the official FIA Formula E safety car driver Bruno Correia. “The MINI Electric Pacesetter is perfect for the narrow street circuits of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The handling of the car is fantastic. And thanks to the modifications for use on the racetrack – for example, to the suspension and the brakes – the MINI is extremely fast and agile.”

The positive verdict of former racing driver Correia is a great description of the unique character of the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW. In this instance, BMW Motorsport did not convert an existing road vehicle into the FIA Formula E Safety Car. Instead, the engineers used the new MINI Cooper SE as a basis to design a totally new safety car.

“We approached the project both in terms of safety and handling as if we were building a racing car, and started with the body in white of the MINI Cooper SE,” described Rudolf Dittrich, head of vehicle development at BMW Motorsport. “The result is a car that sets standards in braking power, cornering performance and agility. And it is precisely these areas that are crucial on the narrow street circuits in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.”