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Mitch Evans, Jaguar Racing, Jaguar I-TYPE 5

How Formula E stood up to F1 comparisons in Monaco

OPINION: It was no surprise to anybody that the laptimes achieved by Formula E cars on the full Monaco circuit were much slower than Formula 1. But perhaps the more relevant comparison was in the racing spectacle, where FE delivered in spades.

FIA president Jean Todt led the push for Formula E to use its own version of the full Monaco circuit to avoid lap time comparisons with Formula 1 and, by extension, its support series. But late track changes put paid to that wish, with only a tightening of the Nouvelle Chicane to notably separate the two layouts. That seemingly left the all-electric heavyweights ready to be exposed to nascent mockery.

However, before a wheel had turned in the principality last weekend, those criticisms could have been batted off. For the type of person who cared enough to keep an eagle eye on the stopwatch to poke fun was clearly already a dyed-in-the-wool motorsport fan. They well knew the 330bhp Formula E cars – albeit quick in their own right – would be far slower than the grand prix thoroughbreds. They weren’t going to tread new ground.

Previous article How Monaco dealt Formula E a winning hand to cure its hangover
Next article Four new races set to join Formula E calendar in 2021-22

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