Preview
Formula E Long Beach ePrix
ABT and Formula E race on Hollywood's doorstep
The 2.131 kilometre long circuit of Long Beach is regarded as one of the highlights on the Formula E calendar.
Edited: Mar 28, 2016, 5:01 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The race in Long Beach on Saturday (April 2) is the final port of call overseas, before Formula E arrives at Europe. Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi have fond memories of the track on doorstep of Los Angeles: the German claimed his first pole position here last year; di Grassi celebrated one of his ten podium finishes in the electric racing series.
Long Beach - this name sets the pulse racing for American motorsport fans in particular. The circuit, located south of Los Angeles directly on the Pacific coast, has a long racing tradition stretching back to 1975. Formula E stages its ePrix once again this year amidst the impressive backdrop. It is the only race in the USA. The 2.131 kilometre long circuit along the harbour front and around the congress center is regarded as one of the highlights on the calendar.
Good memories
The two ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport drivers travel with fond memories to California: In April 2015 in Long Beach, Daniel Abt claimed his first pole position in Formula E, his team mate Lucas di Grassi celebrated on the podium after an exciting race. After four podium finishes, including one victory, the South American recently suffered a setback: although he took a convincing win in the race in Mexico City, he was subsequently excluded from the results because one of his cars was underweight. The team accepted responsibility for the mistake.
"An action-packed spell now starts for me, with four races in the WEC and Formula E within five weeks. It kicks off with Formula E in Long Beach - a name synonymous with great tradition in motorsport," says Lucas di Grassi. "The atmosphere with the circuit directly on the waterfront is impressive. The fans can look forward to an exciting race. My goal is clear: I aim to fight for a podium finish and if possible victory " we've achieved this at every race so far this season.
Looking forward
Being disqualified in Mexico was obviously a setback in the fight for the title. My team has dealt precisely with the circumstances and will do everything in its power to prevent this happening ever again. The issue is now closed for me and I'm only looking forward now: six races, a good 150 points - there is plenty to aim for and our ambition remains unbroken. In Mexico we lost together, the next time we'll win together again."
The event is a highlight for the self-confessed America fan Daniel Abt. The racing in the USA also appears to suit him: pole position in Long Beach preceded a third place in the race in Miami. By qualifying for the Super Pole in Mexico two weeks ago, the German is once again in top form. "I simply love the atmosphere in the States, the climate, the cities, the whole way of life," says Daniel Abt, who travelled to California a day earlier than planned. "I'm looking forward to spending some time wandering around Los Angeles before concentrating solely on Formula E from Thursday morning." The youngest driver on the grid has an ambitious goal: "I want to make Super Pole in Long Beach and then fight for the podium in the race."
The sixth race of the season starts on Saturday, April 2 at 16:00 local time (01:00 CEST on Sunday morning). in Germany, Eurosport broadcasts from 00:15 and starts by showing highlights of qualifying before going live for the race. Commentator Oliver Sittler is supported once again by Timo Scheider. The two-time DTM Champion and long-serving ABT driver takes on the role of expert once again. The practice sessions and qualifying can also be viewed on Eurosport's fee based player.
ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Jerome D’Ambrosio beats Sam Bird to clinch second race off title
Next article DS Virgin Racing targets points for both drivers in Long Beach ePrix
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Daniel Abt
Abt to sit out 2021 after turning down Formula E drive
Formula E
Formula E
Abt to sit out 2021 after turning down Formula E drive
Audi used Abt's Esports stunt "to throw him out" - Glock
Formula E
Formula E
Audi used Abt's Esports stunt "to throw him out" - Glock
Rast to test Formula E car as Audi evaluates Abt replacement
Formula E
Formula E
Rast to test Formula E car as Audi evaluates Abt replacement
More from
Team Abt
Title hopes over, Gounon injured: Why did Nicki Thiim lose control?
DTM
DTM
Sachsenring
Title hopes over, Gounon injured: Why did Nicki Thiim lose control?
Penalty storm with consequences: Mapelli loses maiden DTM win, celebrations at McLaren
DTM
DTM
Lausitzring
Penalty storm with consequences: Mapelli loses maiden DTM win, celebrations at McLaren
Not a "handful" after all? How the DTM special waiver helped the Lamborghini
DTM
DTM
Zandvoort
Not a "handful" after all? How the DTM special waiver helped the Lamborghini
Latest news
MotoGP Australian GP: Marc Marquez recovers from crash to take pole at wet Phillip Island
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
MotoGP Australian GP: Marc Marquez recovers from crash to take pole at wet Phillip Island
No factory Honda bikes in Australian GP as Luca Marini withdraws due to virus
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
2 h
No factory Honda bikes in Australian GP as Luca Marini withdraws due to virus
"We're just a step behind" - what McLaren is trying to solve with its final 2026 upgrades
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
3 h
"We're just a step behind" - what McLaren is trying to solve with its final 2026 upgrades
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe