Mercedes quit DTM Frocuses on F1 and new Formula E entry

Now, THAT's racing!

 

I know. I want to bring back refueling. To me that exciting but it won't happen in F1 because of the danger I guess. But we could bring it to FE. Instead of gasoline hoses, they could pit and the crew would run out with big batteries.

 

They'd be timing the pit stops with sundials, the charging process is sloooooowwwwwww...... hehehe

 

That's a bit what Panoz proposes to do next year at Le Mans with its electric car.

The car would pull in the pits, where its battery pack would be removed from the car and replaced by a new one. The packs would slide out from the side of the car like drawers and be handled by a mechanical device.

Panoz says the time spent would be the same as for a conventional car refuelling.

I can't wait to see it. The idea could really catch on and be applied to Formula E perhaps.

 

switching batteries is far from being a new idea:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Place

frankly, I find switching cars comes across rather pathetic. what the hell does that show. I suppose their goal was reliability initially and switching batteries may have some challenges?? I don't know.

 

The way the Formula E cars have been built (remember this is a specs series) switching batteries would have been difficult and laborious.
The Formula E chassis have not been built with that in mind, but maybe in future ?

The Panoz solution (in endurance) proposes for the batteries to be contained in a drawer inside the chassis. The complete pack slides out, and is removed like a pallet and a new pack ready on another pallet is quickly inserted in the chassis. One supposes the connection is done that way too.
So, a "refuelling" lasts only the time for the crew to operate the trolley. Panoz said that changing a battery pack takes a few seconds, and is quite comparable with refuelling from a rig.

 

Porsche quits WEC LMP1 class for Formula E programme - WEC - Autosport

F1 has its work cut out now LOL. This is an even more powerful change than Mercedes. Thanks 'Halo'

 

LMP1 dead... very interesting. Only once a year I watch that stuff when they get to Le Mans. LMP1 was so hugely applauded around here for getting stuff right. Yet, F1 stands, LMP1 has fallen (not that this means F1 is getting things right).

 

+1. LMP1 has folded rather quickly....