Season 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship continues on the streets of Santiago (CHI) this weekend, with the Santiago E-Prix on 3rd February. The fourth round of the season will be the first Formula E event to be held in Chile. BMW works drivers António Félix da Costa (POR) and Tom Blomqvist (GBR) will race at the South American venue for MS&AD Andretti Formula E. The highlight ahead of the racing action will be the unveiling of the new Qualcomm Safety Car BMW i8.
The Situation
MS&AD Andretti Formula E will be looking to once again reach the points in Chile, having already done so in Hong Kong (CHN) and Marrakech (MAR) this season. After Félix da Costa scored in Asia, it was the turn of series debutant Blomqvist to earn points in Africa, at his first ever Formula E event.
BMW i will unveil the new Qualcomm Safety Car BMW i8 on Thursday at a special event ahead of the race weekend, with several new features on show. The car spearheads the BMW i car fleet, which will be on view in season 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship as part of the “Official Vehicle Partner” cooperation programme.
The Team
The MS&AD Andretti Formula E team is in its fourth season of Formula E in 2017/18. So far, Michael Andretti’s (USA) squad has contested 36 races, claimed three pole positions, and scored 214 points. Félix da Costa is again in action at the wheel of the number 28 MS&AD Andretti ATEC-003 in Season 4. Joining the Portuguese driver is Blomqvist, racing car number 27.
The Expectations
Tom Blomqvist, MS&AD Andretti Formula E: “I’m really excited to head to Santiago as I feel a lot more prepared and ready after having scored some points at my debut race in Marrakech. It will be my very first visit in South America and I’m looking forward to it. The track is going to be challenging, but the good thing is that it’s going to be new for everyone. That means I won’t have a disadvantage.“
António Félix da Costa, MS&AD Andretti Formula E: “It will be my first time in Chile and it’s always cool to have a new track in Formula E. I like the challenge as a driver. We are learning so much as a team day by day. I am really encouraged by that. My goal for Santiago is to compensate for the mistake I made in Marrakech and score some good points for the team.”
The Circuit
Since it is a brand new circuit, Chile’s E-Prix will be a challenge for all the competitors. With limited track time available, drivers and teams must work quickly to reach optimum performance. As was the case for New York’s (USA) track, the layout in Santiago will see the start and finish in different parts of the track. The start line is located on the longer back straight, between turns 2 and 3. Cars will cross the river Mapocho twice, with the track running parallel with each bank of the waterway along the front and back straights. The 2.46-kilometre circuit is a tight, technical layout that will provide a severe test of drivers’ concentration and accuracy.
