Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team 2021 Puebla E-Prix preview 16.06.2021: Puebla race premiere: high-altitude, banked turn and extended Attack Mode zone The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team is returning to the track after a six-week break from racing, facing the unknown at the Puebla E-Prix in Mexico

Puebla race premiere: high-altitude, banked turn and extended Attack Mode zone

 
The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team is returning to the track after a six-week break from racing, facing the unknown at the Puebla E-Prix in Mexico



•    The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is set to debut at the Autodromo Miguel E. Abed in Puebla this weekend (June 19/20)


•    The track will use the infield of the oval circuit with a banked turn and an extended Attack Mode activation zone


•    Ian James: "I can't wait to get racing again this weekend. As a double-header event, Puebla offers us two opportunities to show what we are made of. We have a great team. A group of people always looking to optimise the situation and improving in every area we can"


•    Nyck de Vries: "The first half of the season was marked by many ups and downs. We're well placed all things considered, and hopefully, can capitalize and build on that to be even more consistent during the second half of the year"


•    Stoffel Vandoorne: "The track is new to everyone, which I think is to our advantage. We're good at preparing and adapting to face the new and unknown, but let's wait and see how it goes! Still, I feel very positive about the upcoming race weekend"



The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team is in Mexico this weekend for Rounds 8 and 9 of the 2020-2021 season (June 19/20). The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is being contested in Mexico for the sixth time since the series' inception. The previous five races all took place at Mexico City's Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
 


This season, though, the all-electric racing series will be competing for the first time at Puebla, some 100 kilometres east of Mexico's capital, the reason being that parts of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez are still being used as a hospital for COVID19 patients during the current pandemic.
 


After the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, the 2.982 km Autodromo Miguel E. Abed is the second permanent racetrack to host Formula E races this season. The track has 15 turns taken in a counter-clockwise direction. A large part of the circuit is situated in the infield of an oval normally used by, most noticeably, the Mexican NASCAR series. Leading back to the main straight, Turn 15 is a banked corner which Formula E will also use.



Turn 1 at the end of this section is one of the best spots for overtaking on the whole circuit and Turn 11 at the end of the second sector is another good place.
 


The Attack Mode activation zone is on the outside of Turn 8, so cars will have to deviate from the racing line a little more than usual as a result. The loss in time is expected to be over 2.5 seconds which will be the greatest amount ever seen till date in Formula E history.
 


Drivers and cars will have another challenge to face in that Puebla is situated 2,200 metres above sea level and at an even higher altitude than Mexico City.
 


The Puebla E-Prix will be the fourth double header of the season, with one race taking place on Saturday and another on Sunday. Race start is at 4.04pm local time (10:04pm BST).
 
 



Comments in the run-up to the 2021 Puebla E-Prix
 


Ian James (Team Principal):

"It's been a while since we last raced. We hit the streets of Monaco in early May, and came back home empty handed that time around. Coming back without scoring any points, we had a slight bitter taste in our mouths; we knew we could have achieved more. We now want to rectify that in Mexico. A lot of work has gone into making sure we are prepared as well as possible, and we don't leave any stone unturned.
 


Having said that, it's difficult to know what exactly to expect from the upcoming two rounds in Puebla. It is the first time Formula E will be paying a visit to the circuit. And it's not an ordinary track for the series. But we like a good challenge.
 


I can't wait to get racing again this weekend. As a double-header event, Puebla offers us two opportunities to show what we are made of. We have a great team. A group of people always looking to optimise the situation and improving in any area possible. That's an immensely important and valuable strength. If we keep getting the best out of ourselves, optimising our performance every single round, we are going to have a great end to the season."
 


Where to watch


Don't miss any of the action this weekend, and follow the team on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Or, head here to find out how to watch all sessions live in your region.
 
 


Sjoerd van Wijk - photos Mercedes