The electric single-seater series, Formula E has unveiled the oval base track design, with a unique “Attack Mode”, to be used for the first E-Prix in Puebla and for which 10,000 spectators are expected.
The layout will be 1.85 miles counterclockwise a route that will separate from the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) lap used between 2005 and 2009, before the venue is removed from the 2010 calendar for security reasons.
After Turn 3 of 15, the Formula E lap will follow a tighter hairpin and rejoin the setup at Turn 6 for an on-track loop rather than sticking primarily to the outer oval.
The track will also feature an attack mode activation tailored for Puebla, which means that the cars will have to activate the 35kW power boost by following an alternate World Rallycross-style ‘joker lap’ route rather than traversing a series of offline doors according to the Formula Convention E.
The lap will then follow the remainder of the WTCC race, adopting another section of the frame before an accelerated and steep final corner race at the 1.25-mile oval leading to the main straight.
The manager of the current Formula E champion (Antonio Felix da Costa) and WTCC driver, Tiago Monteiro said that Mexico City is a sector with considerable altitude and that Puebla is even higher that it creates a kind of volcanic plateau.
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“So, every day you can feel that kind of a little bit of lack of air and the tiredness. The track is interesting, and has a low-grip Tarmac surface. Back when I drove it, it felt almost like ice – it was really challenging.”
According to Monteiro the biggest challenge for the driver will be to breathe wisely and keep a cool head when tired.
It should be noted that since 2016, the electric series has been contested every season in Mexico using a custom version of the classic Formula 1 venue at the Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome.
However, with a hospital installed on the premises in response to the global health crisis, by 2021 the Autodromo Miguel E. Abed near the city of Puebla has been recruited as a replacement.
After limited fan attendance for the last Monaco E-Prix last month, 10,000 spectators per day will be allowed for the double title event.
This follows organizers opening talks in April with authorities to create a protocol that will allow a small number of fans to enter the Puebla racetrack.
Written by | Gabriel Sayago
