With the release of the provisional race calendar for the first Gen3 season, Formula E has also announced the date and location of this year’s pre-season testing. From December 11th to 14th, 2022, the (expected) twelve teams of the electric series will meet again in Valencia for the collective preparation of the 2023 Formula E World Championship.
Since the very first season, Formula E has been conducting joint test drives for all teams and drivers before the start of the season. While these were still held at the British race track of Donington Park in the early years, Formula E switched to Valencia for the first time in 2017. Formula E will also once again conduct joint preparations for the Gen3 era at the Circuit Ricardo Tomo. The date announced is December 11th to 14th, 2022 – so we will see Maserati, McLaren and the returnees ABT Sportsline together on the track this year.
Different track configurations have been used in Valencia in the past. The course’s long start-finish straight was always shortened in the early years by the use of one or two temporary chicanes. However, since these also pose an accident risk, it is likely that a chicane will not be built again this year. Instead, the track layout that was already used at the Valencia E-Prix in 2021 should be used again.
Probably again 3 days with “Track-Time”
It can be assumed that the test drives will again take place on three days on the track. In the past, the test drives lasted a total of four days, the penultimate of which was only ever used for media events. For example, recordings of the drivers were made for the TV world view, which were later shown in the broadcasts.
In the past, the first two days of testing consisted of two sessions of three hours each, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. On the last day, a six-hour session was held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to enable the team members to travel home the same evening. In addition, the TV employees had already left on the last day of the test, so the vehicles were traveling without onboard cameras.
As part of the test drives, a first test run of the new racing format that Formula E is planning for its Gen3 era will probably take place. For the first time, this could also include pit stops with fast charging, the length of which could possibly also determine the duration of the attack mode in the future. In all likelihood, e-Formel.de will be in Valencia again and, as usual, will provide you with everything you need to know, photos and voices from Spain.
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