Formula E

Paddock Whispers: News ticker on all the important Formula E topics in Monaco

Tobias Wirtz

Tobias Wirtz

FIA Formula E

For the first time in its history, Formula E will hold two races in Monaco this weekend. As always, you can find out what else is going on in the paddock in the Principality besides the action on the track in the latest edition of our popular series "Paddock Whispers". We will update this news ticker regularly throughout the weekend.

>>> Rossiter demonstrates regen potential of the Genbeta prototype

[02.05. | 14:22] The British ex-racing driver and former team boss of Maserati MSG Racing, James Rossiter, has demonstrated the recuperation potential of the Formula E Genbeta prototype: Rossiter drove around 1,000 metres in altitude down to Monaco. The highlight: the car's battery was almost empty at the start of the descent.

Rossiter used the car's energy recovery system as well as cloud and AI tools from Google to recharge the battery so that he was able to complete a full lap of the 3.337-kilometre race track.

>>> Celebrity crowd in Monaco

[03.05. | 11:49] As usual, various celebrities paid a visit to the Monaco E-Prix again this year: In addition to former Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, cyclist Chris Froome, actor Tom Felton, who also took part in the Evo sessions, and his colleagues Dave Harewood and Idris Elba are also on site. Elba is one of a group of investors who joined Kiro some time ago.

>>> Alexander Sims advises FIA race stewards

[02.05. | 17:49] At the Monaco E-Prix, ex-Formula E driver Alexander Sims will advise the race stewards from a driver's perspective for the third time after Tokyo 2024 and the Mexico City E-Prix in January. A task that the Brit only enjoys to a limited extent, as he admitted in an short chat with e-Formula.news: "I know most of the guys. And imposing penalties on them is anything but fun. But I hope that my work has a positive influence on the work of the race stewards."

>>> Formula E awards trophy for the most successful driver

[02.05. | 16:18] A new trophy is awarded in Monaco: One of the two race winners of the Monaco E-Prix will be honoured with the somewhat unwieldily named Prince Albert II of Monaco Trophy. This goes to the driver who scores the most points over the weekend in Monaco. If the two drivers are tied on points, the trophy goes to the driver who set the faster lap time in qualifying. The trophy will be presented at the gala dinner on Sunday evening.

>>> Norman Nato shows new helmet for Monaco

[02.05. | 15:01] No race without a special helmet: Norman Nato will be competing in Monaco with specially painted head protection. The helmet features several images of his friend Jules Bianchi, who crashed at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix and died of his injuries the following year. Nato is therefore driving with the number 17 in memory of Bianchi, who scored his first and only points in Formula 1 at the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix. He only drove with the number 71 in the 2021 season with Venturi, as the 17 was already being used by Nyck de Vries.

>>> Swearing ban: Drivers not convinced by FIA announcement

[02.05. | 14:37] Following this week's announcement by FIA President Mohamed bin Sulayem of changes to the world governing body's procedures, particularly with regard to the use of inappropriate language in official interviews, the drivers have so far reacted cautiously.

"Let's see what those changes are", said Mitch Evans in the press conference before the Monaco E-Prix. "But I think that there need to be changes. I don't know what I'm allowed to say, what I'm not allowed to say."

"I say that some drivers may end up broke at the end of the year", said Jean-Eric Vergne about the current regulation. Evans replied: "Maybe me."

>>> Porsche drivers choose halo slogans

[02.05. | 13:41] In Monaco, Porsche is once again on the road with new lettering on the HALO system of its two Porsche 99x Electric cars. This time, however, the fans were allowed to submit suggestions and the two drivers were then able to choose the best slogan. "All on Purple!" is emblazoned on Pascal Wehrlein's Halo system in a nod to the casino and the colour of the car, while Antonio Felix da Costa opted for "We've been expecting you, Mr. da Costa" in a nod to James Bond.

>>> Opel entry becomes more concrete

[02.05. | 12:03] We already published the news last week that Opel might enter Formula E as a new brand. Now a possible involvement in the electric series is becoming more concrete: Florian Huettl, CEO of Opel Automobile, will attend Saturday's race in the Principality of Monaco and get an impression of Formula E on site. However, a possible announcement of entry is not expected for the time being.

>>> Maserati parade in Monaco

[01.05. | 18:21] Maserati MSG Racing is celebrating its home race this year with a parade of Maserati cars on the track ahead of the two races on Saturday and Sunday. A total of nine cars are to take part, driven by Emma Walsh and Pascal Wehrlein, among others.

Ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat is to drive a Formula E racing car: The "Tipo Folgore Proto" is just marketing, however. In reality, it is the development car from DS Automobiles, which will be used for the manufacturer's test drives with the Stellantis powertrain and will be customised with Maserati stickers especially for this parade.

>>> Mortara drives GT World Challenge Asia

[01.05. | 17:03] Mahindra driver Edo Mortara will now also compete in the GT World Challenge Asia in a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 for Team Absolute Corse and will be on the grid for the first time in the week after the Monaco E-Prix in Mandalika (Indonesia). However, Mortara cancelled speculation that he might miss the Shanghai E-Prix, which takes place at the same time as the following event in the racing series, due to his commitment.

"No, I will not miss Shanghai", Mortara replied to speculation to that effect on X.

>>> Switch to McLaren: James Barclay leaves Jaguar

[01.05. | 15:03] A bang for the buck at Jaguar: Just over a year after the departure of Head of Engineering Phil Charles, Team Principal James Barclay will now also be leaving the Formula E team at the end of the season. Barclay has led the team since joining in Season 3, with the biggest success during this time being winning the 2024 Team World Championship.

To the full article

His successor is not yet known. In contrast, it has already leaked out where Barclay is heading: He will lead the LMDh programme at McLaren for the entry into the World Endurance Championship in 2027. In order to concentrate on this project, McLaren is even withdrawing from Formula E at the end of the season.

Read the full story here

>>> DS shows technology transfer from Formula E

[01.05. | 14:19] DS Automobiles has demonstrated the transfer of technology from Formula E to the road in its new electric flagship "DS N°8" ahead of the Monaco E-Prix. The SUV features a recuperation system that can be configured with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The intelligent all-wheel drive was also inspired by Formula E's Attack Mode: When accelerating from a standstill and during kick-down, the vehicle's traction is increased by activating all wheels for drive.

>>> VIP tickets for the London E-Prix up for auction

[01.05. | 13:26] United Charity, Europe's largest auction portal, is offering interested parties the opportunity to be part of the first round of the Formula E season finale on Saturday 26 July in London. A VIP package with two tickets for the E-Motion Club can be purchased at auction here. This gives you access to the exclusive hospitality areas, from where you have an exclusive view of the race track. In addition, the winners will receive a guided tour of the pit lane in the ExCeL exhibition hall, where they can experience the teams and the Gen3 Evo cars up close and take a unique look behind the scenes. The proceeds from this auction will go to "Österreichische Sporthilfe", the Austrian sports aid.

To the auction

>>> Pascal Wehrlein injures team-mate & will drive WEC at Spa

[01.05. | 12:16] Between the race in Miami and the double-header in Monaco, Porsche driver Pascal Wehrlein had an unplanned encounter with a team-mate: The Formula E world champion injured Porsche WEC driver Kevin Estre in an intra-team football match, as was revealed during the TV broadcast of the 6 Hours of Imola. Estre was still able to drive, but had to wear a knee brace.

The two will compete together for the Porsche Penske Motorsport team at the 6 Hours of Spa in a week's time: Wehrlein will drive the #6 Porsche 963 together with Estre and Laurens Vanthoor. However, Wehrlein will not be the only Formula E guest entrant for Porsche: Andretti driver Nico Müller will also be competing there. The Swiss driver will join Julien Andlauer and Michael Christensen in the number 5 Porsche 963, and Müller will also be on site at Le Mans as Porsche's official reserve driver.

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