Skip to main content

FIA Formula E gets off to a dramatic start in Beijing

By 23/09/2014September 7th, 2016Motorsport, Sporting events

While racing teams competing in the new all-electric FIA Formula E race series analyse their performance after the first event got off to a dramatic start in China, Official Overlay Partner GL Events UK is already looking to the forthcoming rounds in Malaysia, Uruguay and Argentina.

With the next round held in Putrajaya on 22nd November, GL Events UK already has bespoke equipment on the water heading for the races that follow. Because each circuit and the necessary infrastructure required to support the race is designed to adapt to each individual city, the number of structures changes with each event.

Commercial Director James Anderson, who was at the first race, explains: “Whilst Beijing kept us busy, we have to provide more infrastructure at the future rounds simply because of the layout of the various cities and the position of where places such as the pit area and race control need to sit. We have invested in bespoke structures such as race control, which will be a constant need at every event whereas other equipment is added and taken away as required.

“The beauty of the requirements constantly changing is that you learn and evolve the elements supplied to ensure they meet the needs of all involved perfectly. The atmosphere at the first race was amazing and can only build as the series continues.”

The season opener, which turned the streets of Beijing into a temporary circuit, ended after Nicolas Prost and Nick Heidfeld crashed in a last corner battle for the lead. Heidfeld walked away unscathed from a high speed collision with the circuit wall after contact with Prost left him unable to control the car and flipped into the tyre barrier. This gave the victory to Audi Sport ABT’s Lucas di Grassi.