Senna & D’Ambrosio visit Fangio’s birthplace
Formula E rising stars Bruno Senna (Mahindra) and Jerome D’Ambrosio (Dragon Racing) had the privilege to visit the city of Balcarce, birthplace of the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, a couple of days before the fourth round out of 11 races, of the Formula E competition in Buenos Aires, Argentina that took place on Saturday, February 6, 2016.
Senna and D’Ambrosio had a stopover at El Casco ranch that was once Fangio’s summer residence and is now a hotel and spa, drove four of his classic racing cars around the Autodromo Juan Manuel Fangio circuit that he designed, before having a guided tour of the museum where they met the local media and adoring fans.
Senna said: “It was a fantastic day, I had a great time learning about the man and what he represented to the people – that little town pretty much revolves around the Fangio history and legacy and the places that they’ve built and are trying to make work there are fantastic. The museum was very special. It’s very hard to find a motor racing museum with as much history and as much content as that museum has and that’s a museum almost dedicated to just one person. There was also a bit of Brazilian history there, there was one of Ayrton’s cars and some of his relationship that he had with Fangio, and some of his priceless F1 machines and the cars that he won championships with.”
D’Ambrosio said: “It was something very special. They touched the start of an era there with the beginnings of Formula 1, and we are also at the start of something different, a new era of motor racing – electric racing. So it’s a nice contrast and a nice comparison point between the two. We are now standing where they were at that time. So it was very inspiring, but now Saturday is going to be something else for us and hopefully we’ll enjoy that day as well and get some good points.”
Sam Bird conquered in Buenos Aires & Lucas Di Grassi was back in the podium
The ePrix held in the capital of Argentina was just the second race of its kind after making its debut there in 2015. The spectators lined up the 2.48 km long track and fans worldwide followed the battle on TV.
British driver Sam Bird dominated virtually from start to finish during the Formula E race held Saturday, February 6, in Buenos Aires, in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Puerto Madero circuit. He put on a dominating performance, only briefly conceding first place during a battery recharge pit stop. Bird, who began the race in pole position, recognized it had been a tough race, during which he had to fend off attacks from his rivals Buemi and Di Grassi.
Lucas di Grassi, member of ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport team, continued his impressive run of successes and mounted the podium for the fourth time in as many races, after starting 7th on the grid. As a result, he is closest rival to current championship leader Sébastien Buemi from the Renault factory team. Di Grassi’s delight over the tenth trophy in his 15th Formula E race was correspondingly subdued. “A podium is always a success, about which I’m pleased. But we all noticed clearly today that we must work hard if we want keep our hopes alive in the title battle with Renault.”
Formula E began in 2014 in Beijing after having its prototype tested in 2013. All cars competing are electric, equipped with Renault engines, and powered by 300-kilo lithium batteries. The sport has brought in the sons of past Formula 1 stars, Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, who all currently compete. The ePrix will make its debut in Mexico on March 12, 2016.
Buenos Aires e-Prix Results
- Sam Bird (ING), DS Virgin Racing, 35 laps
- Sébastien Buemi (SUI), Renault e.Dams – a 0s716
- Lucas di Grassi (BRA), ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport – a 7s525
- Stéphane Sarrazin (FRA), Venturi – a 9s415
- Nicolas Prost (FRA), Renault e.Dams – a 11s316
- Loïc Duval (FRA), Dragon Racing – a 15s660
- Nick Heidfeld (ALE), Mahindra Racing – a 16s444
- Robin Frijns (HOL), Andretti – a 18s685
- Oliver Turvey (ING), Nextev TCR – a 22s007
- Bruno Senna (BRA), Mahindra Racing – a 222s456
Championship Standings
- Sébastien BUEMI – 80 points
- Lucas DI GRASSI – 76
- Sam BIRD – 52
- Loïc DUVAL – 32
- Jérôme D’AMBROSIO – 30
- Stéphane SARRAZIN – 28
- Nick HEIDFELD – 23
- Robin FRIJNS – 21
- Nicolas PROST – 21
- Antonio Félix DA COSTA – 16
Formula E Championship in the running for BT Sport Industry Awards
The fully electrical racing series FIA Formula E, launched in 2014, has made the final list in two categories, the Brand of the Year and the Cutting Edge Sport Award, for the prestigious BT Sport Industry Awards. They are in great company opposing Adidas, Eurosport, UFC and the Hawk-Eye technology from the Rugby World Cup, just to name a few.
The official shortlist was selected through an extensive steering process involving more than 70 key industry figures and 40 hours of intensive judging, fully overseen by EY. It will go for forward consideration by the main judging panel who will decide the winners in each category, who will be announced on April 28, 2016.
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