Formula Ehas given the main preponderance to the addition of new drivers who can demonstrate their talent in a competition that in less than a decade has managed to set a sporting and technological benchmark with a sustainable vision.
Racers with Formula 1 experience such as Antonio Giovinazzi suffered the complexity of the electric series, demonstrating the high competitive level that has nothing to envy to the “Grand Circus”.
After the successful season 8, Formula E offered a balance of the performance of the rookie drivers who despite the difficulties remained at the height of the demanding tournament.
Read also: Formula E and FIA Approve Regulations to Drive in Gen3 Era
Askew Led the Legion
Representing Avalanche Andretti, Oliver Askew finished sixteenth with 24 points. He made headlines with a points-scoring result in his Saudi Arabian debut, finishing ninth after starting the race in 17th place.
Admitting that the move to Formula E had been one of the most challenging moments of his career, Askew took most of the season to level the steep learning curve and find his footing.
Despite that, the American driver suddenly found his form in London, overcoming qualifying duels to start the race in fifth place before returning to the points with a fourth-place finish in the first round in the UK capital, three places behind teammate and home race winner Jake Dennis.
Tough Start for Ticktum
For Dan Ticktum things proved more complicated. The one point he managed to accumulate over the course of the season could be seen as a disastrous result. But, compared to his teammate Oliver Turvey‘s total of six units, it’s a fairly respectable achievement for a rookie competing with a team that is not without its challenges.
Ticktum’s brief moment in the top ten came in Rome, when both NIO 333 cars entered points-scoring territory on the demanding streets of the Eternal City’s EUR district.
Giovinazzi’s Drama
Fresh from Formula One, Antonio Giovinazzi faced a considerable learning curve when he entered the Formula E arena, just like any rookie. For the Italian, however, beginner’s luck did not appear, not only at the start of the season but for the rest of it. Despite not scoring a point in the 16 races, there were highlights in the Dragon driver’s performance.
In the second race in Berlin, he was a fraction faster than his more experienced Formula E teammate, Sergio Sette Camara, although Giovinazzi had the advantage of having better track conditions being in Group B.
After Berlin, his best performance came on a familiar track for him, as he managed to finish 16th in Monaco, his highest performance of the season, but still three places behind his teammate Sette Camara.
Miraculously, Giovinazzi seemed to find his form in Round 14 Qualifying, London, where he made his first appearance in the Duels, defeating then champion Nyck de Vries (Mercedes-EQ) in the quarter-finals. Despite a performance that resulted in a third-place finish, the Italian lost his lead and was unable to finish the race.
Formula E hopes to continue to be an important showcase for new talent after approving among its regulations a series of exhibitions prior to the campaign that will feature the Gen3 car.
