onsemi is proud to be an Official Supplier to the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team. As a market leader in innovative power management solutions for vehicle electrification, our experts help accelerate the development of best-in-class, energy-efficient products for the highly competitive racing world stage of Formula E (FE).
Like so many others, Formula E has gone virtual. Formula E has launched the “Race at Home Challenge” in partnership with UNICEF; The United Nations Children's Fund is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
The Race at Home Challenge is a nine-week series, which will feature the entire driver line-up from the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, including Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team Drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries.
However, the drivers will not be the only ones racing. Joining them will be selected individuals, also called gamers, who will compete in parallel with the seasoned Formula E drivers. Viewers will be able to watch both races at the same time as screens will be separated into two grids – one grid for professional drivers and one for gamers. Drivers and gamers will compete using simulation software providing a high resolution and intense experience for drivers and viewers alike. While races are scheduled every Saturday, the first test run took place on April 18th. During the first race, Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team Driver, Stoffel Vandoorne took the second place podium as well as claiming the fastest lap. This is the only non-scoring heat as the race for points will start Saturday, April 25th on the simulated Hong Kong track.
The races will follow the traditional Formula E scoring system with added points for pole position and fastest lap. In the perfect marriage between two genres of racing, these simulated competitions will also incorporate a Race Royal format unique to eSports. Drivers will be allowed a single lap to determine their starting grid position. To add to the drama and suspense, the process of elimination will continue until only 10 drivers remain, leaving a single lap sprint to the finish line to decide the final positions.
Photo credit: FIA Formula E
The ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge can be viewed globally via streaming services. Race fans can tune in by going to the official YouTube channel, Twitch, Twitter and Facebook.
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