Bethonie WaringNIO driver Oliver Turvey expects the move to a single car per driver will maximise his strengths this season.
During Formula E’s first four seasons, battery life has forced drivers to switch cars mid-race. Many drivers have taken advantage of having two cars to use to jump into the second car after accidents in free practice sessions while mechanics repair the first.
But development in battery technology means one battery – and one car – will last an entire race this season.
Many drivers have taken advantage of having two cars to use to jump into the second car after accidents in free practice sessions while mechanics repair the first. But the move to one car will leave drivers without a ‘backup’ car should they crash in practice.
Turvey believes the move to one car will work in his advantage.
“On the race weekend, only having one car for practice, if you have any issues it will be magnified,” he told Just Electric.
“You really have to build your weekend, make sure you don’t have any crashes.
“I think that’s been one of my strengths throughout my seasons in Formula E. It will suit me well.”
Team boss Gerry Hughes is also looking forward to the move down to one car, saying the more traditional layout will simplify the race weekend, but added the teams will face new challenges this season.
“In many respects, it’s made it a lot more simple, returning to a more conventional layout in terms of the garage and the engineers just having to focus on one car as appose to two,” he said.
“It is great to be able to return to one car per driver. They don’t have to do the ubiquitous car swap in the middle of the race.
“But there are other challenges that we have with the sporting regulation changes for season five.”
