Formula E Valencia E-Prix I
Vergne wants Formula E to “never come back” to Valencia
Two-time Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne has called for the series to “never come back” to the Valencia circuit ahead of the double-header event at the venue this weekend.
Matt Kew
Edited: Apr 24, 2021, 8:23 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Circuit Ricardo Tormo, which will host an inaugural Spanish E-Prix, was added to the calendar for 2021 following the cancellations of the planned Sanya and Santiago rounds.
It marks the first time the series has raced on a permanent track - with the Marrakesh circuit considered only a temporary venue and the Mexico City lap at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez specially adapted for Formula E.
Although an artificial chicane has been added on the final straight at Valencia to increase opportunities for regenerative braking, drivers are expecting to have to recover an additional 10% of energy per race compared to a more typical street circuit.
DS Techeetah driver Vergne, who won the opening race of the previous Rome E-Prix round, has called for Formula E never to use the venue again despite liking the Circuit Ricardo Tormo from racing there during his junior single-seater career.
He told Motorsport.com: “If you ask me about the track, I have this track in the heart. I have done since when I was racing in GP3.
“It's a good track but absolutely not a track for Formula E. But it's what we have with COVID times making it difficult to create a circuit in the cities. We have to consider ourselves happy to be able to race somewhere.
“But quite clearly, I wish never to come back on this circuit. Not because I don't like it, just because it's not right for Formula E.”
Read Also:
- NIO 333 Formula E team fined for COVID-19 rules breach
- Formula E finalises calendar including London double-header
Similarly, Audi driver Lucas di Grassi reckoned that Formula E would do well to avoid using higher-speed tracks similar in nature to the pre-season testing venue otherwise alterations would be required for the Spark Racing Technology-built car.
He told Motorsport.com: “I don't think we should go to many tracks like this, or we have to modify the car.
“The car was not made for this type of tracks.”
Due to the higher cornering loads, the tyre allocation for Valencia has been increased from four back up to the six sets of the all-weather Michelin compound as used in previous seasons.
Additionally, in the absence of walls to define the edge of the circuit, the FIA will enforce track limits and delete lap times for violations at Turns 1, 2, 6 and 12.
After the Monaco E-Prix on 8 May, Formula E will return to another permanent race track with the Autodromo Miguel E. Abed near the Mexican city of Puebla deputising for the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez that is currently housing an emergency COVID centre.
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 NIO 333 Formula E team fined for COVID-19 rules breach
Next article Valencia E-Prix tipped to be Formula E's toughest ever race
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt Kew
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
More from
Jean-Eric Vergne
Why Peugeot swapped Jean-Eric Vergne for Stoffel Vandoorne in WEC 2026
WEC
WEC
Bahrain
Why Peugeot swapped Jean-Eric Vergne for Stoffel Vandoorne in WEC 2026
Stoffel Vandoorne to return to Peugeot in WEC 2026, replace Jean-Eric Vergne
WEC
WEC
Bahrain
Stoffel Vandoorne to return to Peugeot in WEC 2026, replace Jean-Eric Vergne
Vergne slams Berlin's "horrible" style of Formula E racing that "every driver hates"
Formula E
Formula E
Berlin ePrix II
Vergne slams Berlin's "horrible" style of Formula E racing that "every driver hates"
More from
Techeetah
Seoul E-Prix: Da Costa takes last FE pole of 2022, Vandoorne P4
Formula E
Formula E
Seoul ePrix II
Seoul E-Prix: Da Costa takes last FE pole of 2022, Vandoorne P4
Da Costa "loved the struggle" of return to Formula E winning form
Formula E
Formula E
New York City ePrix II
Da Costa "loved the struggle" of return to Formula E winning form
Da Costa cannot "lean" on last year's Monaco result for 2022 win
Formula E
Formula E
Monaco ePrix
Da Costa cannot "lean" on last year's Monaco result for 2022 win
Latest news
Jack Miller explains pitlane outburst: "We look like w***ers"
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
16 min
Jack Miller explains pitlane outburst: "We look like w***ers"
Isack Hadjar summoned to Mexico GP stewards for "misconduct" in F1 paddock
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
29 min
Isack Hadjar summoned to Mexico GP stewards for "misconduct" in F1 paddock
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Pedro Acosta beats Marc Marquez in tense sprint
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
2 h
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Pedro Acosta beats Marc Marquez in tense sprint
Ducati copies swingarm fins and Aprilia responds with upgraded version
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
4 h
Ducati copies swingarm fins and Aprilia responds with upgraded version
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