The relative lack of place-swapping action in the opening races of 2024 contrasts with events last year. But will a return of peloton racing be the way to address the issue?
STEFAN MACKLEY P44 DIRIYAH E-PRIX REPORT
While “that was a better race than Mexico,” as someone told this writer, was probably subjectively true, it was hardly a ringing endorsement given the lack of action in the Diriyah E-Prix double-header last weekend. Yes, the opening Formula E race in Saudi Arabia featured a three-way battle for the win, at least until half distance, while in the sequel new championship leader Nick Cassidy had to climb from third to take victory, but they were hardly classic contests that will go down in people’s memories. Away from the top positions, it was very much a case of line-astern racing, where positions remained unchanged for large portions of the race, nor were there any safety cars to throw in an unexpected twist.
Processional races in motorsport are nothing new – there were certainly enough of them in Formula 1 last season – and are more common than many enthusiasts would probably care to admit. Let’s not forget, though, that without the dull races, we’d have less to appreciate when a really good one comes along and has us glued to the action.
The conundrum with Formula E is that at various points last year there were plenty of races where drivers changed positions every lap and quite literally hundreds of overtakes took place, a stark contrast to the three races of 2024 so far.
Before we go any further, let’s be clear that a ‘change of position’ is a more apt description for what took place at many points last year, rather than what motorsport fans would consider an ‘overtaking move’. With drivers moving off the racing line to activate Attack Mode – a process that’s mandatory twice in every race and which gives drivers an extra boost of energy for eight minutes – losing spots to drivers behind is inevitable. The 403 ‘overtakes’ for example in Portland last year, as blazoned across social media by the championship, is a case in point.
Motorsport fans could rightly argue that it’s manufactured drama, which to a certain extent it is, but on the other hand it’s a strategic tool that has become a crucial element of any race – something similar to a pitstop, for example. On that last point, fast-charging pitstops are currently lined up to be used at the Misano E-Prix double-header in April, and could be what the championship needs to spice up races again.
