CBMM Niobium Puebla ePrix preview - stats and facts 18.06.2021: CBMM NIOBIUM PUEBLA E-PRIX PREVIEW: THE ABB FIA FORMULA E WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS TO PUEBLA, MEXICO FOR ROUNDS 8 & 9 OF THE SEASON ON JUNE 19 & 20

CBMM NIOBIUM PUEBLA E-PRIX PREVIEW: THE ABB FIA FORMULA E WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS TO PUEBLA, MEXICO FOR ROUNDS 8 & 9 OF THE SEASON ON JUNE 19 & 20



- Everything you need to know as the all-electric racing series returns to Mexico for its sixth visit, and Rounds 8 & 9 of the 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship


- Formula E’s 12 teams and 24 drivers will take to the Autodromo Miguel E. Abed circuit on the outskirts of Puebla – a new challenge for the field to contend with


- Find out where to watch the CBMM Niobium Puebla E-Prix this weekend




Season 7 so far
 


Seven rounds have brought six different race winners in one of the closest-fought Formula E seasons to-date, in a championship notorious for its high level of competition.
 


Just 16 points - less than is on offer for a single victory - split Drivers' standings leader Robin Frijns (Envision Virgin Racing) and double champion Jean-Eric Vergne (DS TECHEETAH) in seventh spot.
 


There are also only seven points between Mercedes-EQ at the top of the Teams' World Championship and reigning champions DS TECHEETAH in third - with German and Sino-French squad sandwiching British outfit Jaguar Racing.
 


Audi customer team Envision Virgin Racing aren't far back in fourth, and with Frijns' form, as well as teammate Nick Cassidy scoring in two of his last three outings, there's plenty of scope for them to stake their claim among the manufacturers.
 





As it stands


 
Frijns has grasped the advantage so far in 2020/21 with second place in Diriyah and again last time around in Monaco his highlights.
 


Mercedes-EQ’s Nyck de Vries topped the pile heading into Round 7 in Monaco after a measured victory in the DHL Valencia E-Prix Round 5 and a storming opening-round drive in Diriyah.
 


Zero points and a retirement last time out in Monte Carlo for the Dutchman means he now finds himself second in the table, five points shy of his compatriot.
 


Mitch Evans (Jaguar Racing) is in third, a further three points back. The Kiwi will fancy his chances of a repeat victory on Mexican soil having won on Formula E’s last visit at the 2020 Mexico City E-Prix.
 


Reigning champion Antonio Felix da Costa (DS TECHEETAH) heads to Puebla fourth in the standings, fresh off the back of victory in one of the most memorable E-Prix of all time in Monaco - the Portuguese taking the lead from Evans on the final lap to take to the top step of the podium. He's been a runner-up in the last two outings in Mexico and it was at this point in the 2019/20 campaign where he really ignited his championship charge.
 




Puebla’s Autodromo Miguel E. Abed

 
New to Formula E, the 2.98km, 15-turn permanent Autodromo Miguel E. Abed race-track is situated on a plateau in the shadow of the imposing Popocatepetl volcano, some 2,175 metres above sea level.
 


The track comprises a technical infield section housed within a high-speed oval. The string of 15 corners that make up that infield has been tweaked by the local ASN OMDAI, the FIA and Formula E’s sporting team porting team most notably in the shape of an extended Turn 8 ATTACK MODE activation zone.
 


It’s been a joint effort between the local ASN OMDAI, the FIA and Formula E, and we’ve really managed to instil Formula E’s spirit into the layout, with bespoke walls which make it look like a traditional street circuit as much as possible,” said Formula E Sporting Director Fred Espinos. “It’ll be very interesting to see how teams and drivers deal with the ATTACK MODE loop which makes for a longer lap here.”
 




Fans’ return
 


Formula E’s drivers are looking forward to welcoming thousands of passionate, knowledgeable Mexican fans back into the grandstands in Puebla. They're "special", says double champion Jean-Eric Vergne (DS TECHEETAH).
 


"I love Mexico and I hope we have as much fun as we have had in previous years," says the Frenchman. "The Mexican crowd make it special.”
 


"We’ve honestly missed the fans," adds Nyck de Vries (Mercedes-EQ). "We really need them for the ambience and the atmosphere; they give the punch to the event. Any sport in the end is about showing fans the action and we look forward to sharing it with them again."
 





Puebla’s sustainability drive
 

Mexico's climate legislation has targeted greenhouse gas emissions cuts of 50 per cent by 2050 and 35 per cent renewables by 2024, with the country's vulnerability to the effects of climate change like extreme weather driving its action to cut emissions alongside strong public opinion. Some 89 per cent of respondents said in 2020 they expect the government to make environmental protection a priority in the COVID-19 recovery.
 


Mexican scientists in Puebla have devised an innovative solution to urban pollution by using specially developed micro-algae to clean atmospheric contaminants.


BiomiTech's BioUrban 2.0 is a match for 368 real ones, and was installed in the city with local government sponsorship.
 

- Formula E also photos