Formula E to make its debut on slick streets of Sao Paulo
The Independent|March 25, 2023
Drivers Dan Ticktum and Sergio Sette Camara speak to The Independent ahead of another action-packed racing weekend
KARL MATCHETT
Formula E to make its debut on slick streets of Sao Paulo

Five races and five faces on pole. Four different winners. Eight names on the podium so far. And after this weekend in Sao Paulo, three brand new cities hosting an E-Prix on their streets in the opening six rounds of the year.

Formula E (FE) has started its ninth season in exciting, intriguing and exasperating fashion, with the jaw-dropping moments already coming via both the sublime and the surreal: Antonio Felix Da Costa's magnificent manoeuvre to take first place in Cape Town; Sam Bird taking out his own Jaguar teammate in Hyderabad; rookie Jake Hughes's magnificent start to the season and there's last year's title challenger Edoardo Mortara failing to finish three of the five races so far.

It is unpredictable from week to week, let alone season to season, which stands somewhat in contrast to other racing championships, indeed other sports, where repetitive names and results are becoming the norm.

FE has never publicly sought to stand itself above Formula One, now or for the future. Indeed, the official line of it being a championship which can thrive in its own right alongside F1, a different kind of racing for fans to enjoy, is where many hope continued growth will emerge.

But that shouldn't mean it doesn't take the opportunity to showcase where it might hold more value for an audience than any other championship, and right now - with an untouchable dominant team already making F1's season look a long one in terms of the title - Formula E must be pushing the case they have the racing series to watch in 2023. And unpredictability is far from only reason.

"All the drivers are here because we're good. It's all meritbased," NIO 333 driver Dan Ticktum told The Independent.

This story is from the March 25, 2023 edition of The Independent.

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This story is from the March 25, 2023 edition of The Independent.

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