Spark SRT05e
 Nico Rosberg driving the Gen2 at a 2018 Berlin ePrix demo | |
| Category | FIA Formula E Championship |
|---|---|
| Constructor | Spark Racing Technology Dallara |
| Predecessor | SRT01-e |
| Successor | Spark Gen3 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Chassis | Carbon fibre and aluminium monocoque |
| Length | 5160mm |
| Width | 1770mm |
| Height | 1050mm |
| Axle track | Front: 1553mm Rear: 1505mm |
| Wheelbase | 3100mm |
| Electric motor | Various mid-mounted |
| Transmission | Various unknown |
| Battery | 54kWh by McLaren Applied Technologies |
| Power | Max: 250kW (335bhp) Race: 200kW (270bhp) |
| Weight | 900kg (FIA minimum) Battery: 385kg |
| Brakes | Front: 278mm Brembo Carbon Disks & Callipers Rear: 263mm Brembo Carbon Disks & Callipers with Brake-By-Wire |
| Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport All-Weather Treaded (18-inch wheel diameter) |
| Competition history | |
| Notable entrants |  Nissan e.dams DS Techeetah Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler HWA Racelab TAG Heuer Porsche BMW i Andretti Motorsport Panasonic Jaguar Racing NIO Formula E Team Envision Virgin Racing GEOX Dragon Venturi Formula E Team Mahindra Racing Mercedes-Benz EQ |
The Spark SRT05E, also known as the Spark Gen2 (or the Spark Gen2EVO for the upgraded chassis set to be introduced in the 2020–21 season) is an electric formula race car designed for use in the FIA Formula E Championship. The car is the successor to the SRT01-e, and is constructed by Spark Racing Technology with assistance from Dallara. It has been used as the base car for all manufacturers and teams since the 2018-2019 FIA Formula E Championship.[1] The car features a new 56 kWh battery from McLaren Applied Technologies, alongside the new Halo cockpit protection system,[2] and is the first Formula E car capable of completing a full-race distance.[3]
Development
Initial development
On September 28 2016, McLaren Applied Technologies was announced to have won the tender to exclusively supply batteries for the Gen2 car.[4][5] Initially, the tender called for the battery to be supplied for two seasons, before it was announced subsequently that battery development would only be opened up for the 3rd Generation car, to reduce development costs for teams.[6]
On 9 January 2017, Spark Racing Technology was announced to have won the tender to supply chassis for the 2nd Generation Formula E Car.[7] On 12 February 2017, concept images of the 2nd Generation Formula E car were released.[8]
In September 2017, the SRT05e had its first shakedown run, held in secret at the Circuit Ecuyers, in Reims, France, with Anthoine Hubert at the wheel. The shakedown was used to evaluate the performance of the new battery, with the car completing over 400km of mileage, but running without the Halo driver protection device, or fully installed bodywork. [9]
In October 2017, the SRT05e successfully completed its first endurance tests held across three days, at the Monteblanco Circuit in Spain, once again, without the halo cockpit protection system, but with the full bodywork of the car installed. Four full-race simulations were also conducted across the three days, with Anthoine Hubert and Frederic Makowiecki at the wheel of the car.[10]
On 1 December 2017, the FIA, as well as Formula E Holdings announced via Press Release, that they would renew their exclusive partnership with Michelin to supply tyres for the Championship until 2021.[11]
On 30 January 2018, the SRT05e was revealed online with a series of computer generated images.[12] The launch date for the car was also set at 6 March, at the Geneva International Motor show.[1]
On 6 March 2018, the SRT05e was launched at the Geneva International Motor show by FIA President Jean Todt, as well as Formula E Holdings CEO Alejandro Agag.[13] The car was also revealed to be the first-ever race car to be fully conceived and project-led by the FIA, with the FIA organising the concept from design, through manufacture.[14]
The first manufacturer group test took place, behind closed doors at the Monteblanco Circuit in Spain from 28 to 30 March 2018. The track was modified to include two specially-inserted temporary chicanes, on the front and back straight, with lap times estimated to be around the 1:01 mark. On the first day of testing alone, 2000km of running was achieved among the teams.[15]
Gen2EVO
It was later confirmed on 18 January 2019, that similar to its predecessor, the SRT01-e, the SRT05e would also undergo a bodywork update ahead of its intended 3rd season of competition, the 2020–21 season, while the car would also see its use extended until the 2021–22 season.[16]
Subsequently, due to the Gen2 car being much stronger than the original SRT01-e car, leading to the drivers becoming more aggressive and increased contact between the cars,[17] it was decided that the newer front of the car would be designed to be more fragile, in a bid to punish drivers for making excessive contact, and to force them into pitting for repairs. [18]
On February 4th, 2020, Formula E unveiled the new design, name Gen2EVO.[19] Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, a raft of emergency technical measures saw the Gen2EVO's debut delayed to the 2021-22 Season. [20]
It was subsequently reported the introduction of the Gen2EVO bodywork update could be entirely scrapped on 11 May 2020.[21] The cancellation of the Gen2EVO bodywork update was confirmed on 19 of August 2020, as Formula E was set to introduce its Gen 3 car for the 2022/2023 season, which meant that the bodywork update would be run for just a single season.[22]
Technology
Electric motors
Teams are able to use their own motor designs homologated with the FIA, or may procure one from an existing manufacturer with an FIA homologated design, at a cost of no more than €250,000.
Charging
Charging is done by the teams before the race.
Tyres
The cars are shod with 18in Michelin Pilot Sport All-Weather tyres, and are expected to last a whole race weekend, with one set of tyres per car.[23] Compared to the tyres on the previous car, the tyres are 2kg lighter at the front and 2.5kg lighter at the rear, allowing for a decrease of 9kg per 4 tyres.[24]
In video games
The car appears in the Real Racing 3 mobile game, and was added alongside the Brooklyn Street Circuit.[25]
Developers of racing simulator rfactor 2 added the car to the game in April 2019.[26]
This vehicle was added in Asphalt 8: Airborne "Formula E Update" as a high-end unknown class car. This marks the first time to be introduced in non-simulation racing game and also appears as the cover car of this update.
Other than that, the car has also been added into Motorsport Manager Online mobile game.[27] The car is available with the show car livery, official team liveries are available through in-app microtransactions.
References
- ^ a b "Introducing: the Gen2 Formula E car". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ Smith, Sam. "Di Grassi Calls for Bespoke Formula E HALO – e-racing365". e-racing365.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ O'Kane, Sean (6 March 2018). "Formula E's wild new racecar makes electric racing look cool". The Verge. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ "Formula E Battery - McLaren Applied Technologies". www.mclaren.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ Mitchell, Scott. "McLaren F1 team's technology arm wins Formula E battery tender". Autosport.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ "Formula E to keep standard battery until at least 2025". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ "Spark Racing Technology to develop Formula E Season 5 car | SPARK Racing Technology". www.sparkracingtechnology.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ "Spark releases next-gen Formula E concept images". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ Smith, Sam. "Revealed: New Generation Car Runs in Secret Test – e-racing365". e-racing365.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ Smith, Sam. "Successful Endurance Test for New Formula E Car – e-racing365". e-racing365.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ "MIchelin Renews Partnership With Formula E As Official Tyre Supplier" (PDF). www.michelinmotorsport.com. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ Smith, Sam. "Formula E 'Gen 2' Car Breaks Cover – e-racing365". e-racing365.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ "Next generation Formula E Car breaks cover in Geneva". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ Smith, Sam. "New-Gen Formula E Car Launched in Geneva – e-racing365". e-racing365.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ Smith, Sam. ""Strong Test" for Radical New Formula E Car – e-racing365". e-racing365.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ Smith, Sam. "Gen 2 Car Update, Extra Season Confirmed – e-racing365". e-racing365.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "Why Formula E's Gen2 cars are 'too strong' now". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
- ^ "Formula E set for new "self-punishing" front end design". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
- ^ "INTRODUCING: The Gen2 EVO World Championship Car". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ "Formula E to delay Gen2 EVO car". The Race. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "Formula E's Gen2 EVO car may never race". The Race. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "Formula E's Gen 2 EVO car Cancelled". Formula E Zone. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ Motorsport, MICHELIN. "ABB FIA Formula E: Michelin reveals the new MICHELIN Pilot Sport". Michelin Motorsports UK. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- ^ "New Michelin Pilot Sport" (PDF). www.michelinmotorsport.com. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- ^ Arts, Electronic (25 June 2018). "Real Racing 3 – Mercedes Update". Electronic Arts Inc. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ "Formula E Gen2 Released!". www.studio-397.com. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
- ^ "Take control of your own Formula E team in Motorsport Manager Online". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 23 August 2020.