Last weekend, we witnessed the great coming-back of Formula E in the Principality. On Saturday the 8th May 2021, the sporting spirit flood through the Grand Prix tribunes, the paddock and pit lane of the most iconic car racing circuit in the world. The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship involved the whole fleet of electric fireballs (24) to face the entire length of the urban circuit up to 3.3 km. Despite the unusual silent noise, the challenge reserved great emotions, considered the non-linear racetrack up to Mirabeau and Monte-Carlo Casino Square, round the Grand Hotel Hairpin and the legendary Monaco tunnel underneath Fairmont Hotel, quickly followed by the Port Hercules’ chicane. What a challenge in this tricky environment! But only the braves, as we used to say. HelloMonaco was in pole position to collect all possible feedbacks.
During the testing week, everyone was wondering which champion would take the crown this year. Monaco in fact represents the pearl of the Season where winning is unique and unforgettable. In this-year edition, drivers could really taste Monaco’s F1 adrenaline on the same track, as happened in Valencia (Spain) last time. That made it possible to make a first comparison between Formulas 1 and E, about 20 second-time per lap in favour of the former, being close to the past GP3 vehicles. But the engine power and weight in Formula E are completely different. However, electric Motor technology is making great strides and we expect much power shortly when regulations will allow it.
In the Super Pole the Portuguese António Felix Da Costa (DS Techeetach), five-time winner at Formula E, made a remarkable performance completing the route in only 1 minute, 31 seconds and something. He got the podium after an exciting race that made him reach the leading position a few steps from the finish line, after well calibrating the energy and knowledge.
“I knew I would win over Mitch (Evans) in the last lap having more energy supply. It was a pleasure racing against Robin (Frijns) and Mitch (Evans) who raced super fairly”, pointed out at the press conference the well-known champion – “I put a lot of pressure on myself to win this race and this weekend I worked a lot to get in the right mind-set to be successful”.
Robin Frijns (Envision Virgin Racing) got a great achievement, despite a minor slowdown that brought him in the second position.
“I think I can be happy with this result after Valencia and Rome. Today I felt strong and confident in the car and this is showed in our team’s performance”, he highlighted. “I am really gutted. Antonio was very strong and I knew he was going to overtake me. I tried to delay it as much as I could but, when Antonio overtook me, I couldn’t fight back”, stated Mitch Evans (Jaguar Racing), third in rank.
The win-win triumphant of the past two editions, Jean-Éric Vergne (DS Techeetah) got within four points from the podium, being thrilled about the newly developed circuit. “We had a fantastic track, I used to drive in Formula 1, so I knew very well how to deal with it and I was very happy. We were expecting to be qualified in the top ten with such a high-tech and pretty sexy race car”.
The Monaco-based ROKiT Venturi Racing, starring the skilled award-winning Norman Nato, reached the 12th position close to the top-ten due to some additional difficulties. The established know-how of both the Team and the driver gives good hope for next challenges. HelloMonaco had the exclusive chance to collect a few comments from him.
“We had a lot of expectations but without too much pressure. Nevertheless, we had to overcome many troubles in the testing races but, thanks to our determination, we achieved a positive result in the Super Pole”, stressed Venturi’s champion – “We are determined to give our best for the rest of Formula E Championship in order to get points – the vehicle is really performant and we just need to manage consistently the challenge”, he concluded.
To sum up, Monaco E-Prix made sport passion beating a great deal in the hearts of both spectators and drivers.
For further information about the ABB FIA Fomula E World Championship please visit the official website.
