When most people think of motorsport they automatically head straight to Formula One, where British drivers have a long history of dominating the sport and winning world championships, especially in recent years with Lewis Hamilton’s achievements.
It is a completely different story in Formula E.
Since the inaugural season of Formula E there has been a total of ten British Drivers who have competed in the series, no other nationality has had this many drivers compete. Despite this fact there is still yet to be one who has won the championship.
With Formula E returning to London for a double header season finale and five Brits in the series this season, there is a surprisingly strong possibility of one of these drivers being crowned champion in the capital.
Previous Hope
Alexander Sims, Sam Bird, Oliver Turvey, Oliver Rowland and James Calado are the five British drivers who will be competing in their home race this year.
2016 was the last time London held a Formula E race, with Bird and Turvey being the only two drivers who also competed then and neither managed to find their way onto the podium.
Drama on the track the last time Formula E raced in the capital:
Although the series has never seen a British champion, one driver has come close – Sam Bird. The 33 year old finished season four in third, which is still his highest championship finish to date.
Tenth is the furthest Rowland and Turvey have ended a season and 13th the best for Sims.
Season Six Hopes
When looking at race wins Bird has clocked up nine victories across six seasons. In season six he has already looked strong and motivated to make this year his year, securing victory in the season opener and making two appearances in Super Pole.
Unfortunately two retirements have impeded his current championship position leaving him in sixth, but he is only 19 points from current championship leader Mitch Evans, and in Formula E with the close and unpredictable racing, one race can alter the top of the championship significantly.
Bird is strong in the European leg of the season, so those races will be crucial for his hopes to stay in the running for the title.
Highlights of Bird securing a win at the opening race of season six last year:
This season, however, has seen Sims show he also has potential to put in a title fight. After his rookie season last year, he managed to secure his first podium finish claiming second in the final race of the season in New York.
Since then he has continued to show his strength and improvement in the series. The second race of this season saw him claim his maiden victory in the series in Diriyah. He also finished in the points in Mexico and in race one in Diriyah too. Currently sat second in the championship only a point behind Evans, means Sims is the most successful British driver this season so far.
Sims secured his maiden victory in the series:
Another driver competing in his second full season is Rowland. Two second place podium finishes last year and three pole positions helped the Nissan driver finish tenth in the championship.
Although he is still without his elusive first victory in the series, season six has shown his consistency, managing to score points in all races bar one. In reward for his consistent performances he finds himself seventh in the championship level on points with Bird.
The 27 year old is also a strong contender in the European rounds after picking up his best results in them last year, so if his trend in results continues and possibly starts to improve further he could be in a battle with Bird to reach the top of the standings.
Rowland made it onto the podium in Monaco last season:
Turvey and Calado are probably the least likely drivers to be in contention for a championship title this year. Not down to their talent as racers but due to past results and experience in the series.
Turvey has been in Formula E since the end of season one and the highest championship finish he has secured was tenth in season four. In his time in the series he has had one pole position and one podium in Mexico 2018.
His luck in the series last year was far from ideal, when he finished 20th with only four points. This year he is still looking to pick up a single point, although Santiago saw him make his first superpole appearance of the season.
There are still ten races of season six left, however that would be a lot of ground to catch up on in terms of points, and a massive turn around needed in the cars performance to achieve a position near the top of the standings.
Season six is Calado’s rookie season in Formula E, also being the first time he has raced electric cars, which unquestionably is a lot different to the other cars he has raced.
Finding himself in a competitive team this season with Panasonic Jaguar has helped to get some solid points on the board, even though he ended up being disqualified from the race in Mexico.
With the tempo of racing and competitiveness out on track it might prove hard for him to keep his consistency up for the whole season, especially with more experienced Formula E drivers being on the ball and putting in dominant performances.
Who Is The Favourite?
So, with these stats in mind, out of all the British drivers racing this season Bird would automatically be, and for fans normally is, the go to driver to pin hope on for winning the title due to the length he’s been in the series, mixed with the amount of victories he has secured.
However, Sims has shown a consistency he did not have last year and if he manages to continue this form into the remaining races there is a good chance he, alongside Bird, could find himself in a tight battle to possibly take the championship in London.
Could The Title Be Decided In London?
Formula E is one of the most competitive racing series in the world of motorsport at the moment, this was proved last season when ten different winners were produced across 13 races. Lucas Di Grassi and Jean-Eric Vergne were the only two drivers to secure more than one victory.
A similar trend is happening this season with there already being four different winners across the four races which have happened. This aligns to there being a high probability that the deciding races for the title will be in London as Vergne did not win the championship until the final race of the season in New York last year.
If last season is anything to go by then the London E-Prix could have a dream ending to the season for British fans, if any of the drivers are still in contention for the title, to be able to watch the first British driver crowned Formula E champion in London.
