Formula E is making additional preparations for a potential storm hitting the Sanya circuit this weekend during track sessions or the race, specifically tightening the red flag procedure should a race suspension be needed in the event of adverse weather conditions.
Enhanced evacuation processes applicable to all sessions were communicated to teams earlier today because Sanya is susceptible to extreme storms and has heavy rainfall almost daily due to its tropical climate. Storms are forecast in the area across the next week according to local meteorological data, which Formula E is receiving hourly.
Formula E Operations, as part of the organisation and promotion of the world championship with the FIA, works to stringent health and safety protocols that include strict evacuation order throughout its paddock.
Once an evacuation order is given by the authorities, including local agencies, the Race Direction department will issue a Red Flag. All cars must then ‘return to the pitlane and to the garages (in Parc Ferme conditions during Qualifying Session)’ according to official notices that were sent to teams on Friday morning at Sanya.
The directives then state that ‘Cars MUST remain on wheels, with the safety rope attached, in P1 and with the umbilical cables connected. The track will be declared “cold” and all team personnel must leave the paddock and follow the evacuation instructions. Evacuation processes applicable to a Race session.’
Once the Race Suspension signal is given, all cars must return to the pitlane and directly into the garages under Parc Ferme conditions. No repairs are allowed to the carried out on the car.
One specific area of concern for race organisers will be lightening due to the large amount of metal structures on site at the track. The official bulletin on evacuation also states that “once the lighting hazard is cleared, the teams will be allowed to return to the garages with the cars remaining under Parc Ferme conditions.
‘The Race Director will post on the timing screens a time for all the cars to enter the pitlane and be placed in the working lane position. No work or repair is allowed up until that specific moment. The reorder of cars according to Article 40.3 will be followed for those cars undergoing repairs.’
Temperature a major concern at Sanya
Thermal management will be key in managing in particular the front-powertrain and traction battery during the 27 lap race at Sanya tomorrow. During the shakedown session, held at a similar time to tomorrows race the track temperature was 64 degrees celsius and the ambient 33.1.
Temperature critical races have already taken place this season with Sao Paulo and Berlin particularly affected. However, Sanya could see drivers having to manage the spec provided battery and FPK much more in the humid conditions of Sanya.
Discharging massive amounts of power (e.g., 300 kW to 350 kW) during qualifying and ATTACK MODE, combined with high ambient track temperatures, causes the battery cells to heat up rapidly. The battery pack is designed to operate safely and efficiently up to a maximum temperature (often around 57°C). If the temperature approaches the critical limit, the BMS automatically limits power output (derating) or shuts down the car to prevent battery degradation or a thermal runaway event.
Drivers are concerned about their races being compromised by derating and necessary thermal management techniques but are prepared.
“I think there’ll be some management, but its bit hard to say,” Mitch Evans told FEN at Sanya.
“It also depends how the race goes and how fast the race is and when you do your attacks, etc. So, there’s a few factors that could make it swing either way, but I think out of the whole calendar this is probably the one that it’s quite obvious on paper that there should be some management.”
Nissan’s Oliver Rowland added that attacking a more traditional Formula E street track will be a differentiator too among the field too.
“There’s going to be battery temp issues, FPK issues, tyre issues, a bit of an unknown in terms of how much management will be needed and how much overtaking capacity there’ll be, because the track’s quite narrow,” said the defending champion.
“So, lots to learn in FP1 today, and then lots to analyse tonight, so I’m just looking forward to getting out there. It’s a little bit more of a traditional form of the track with walls, where a driver can maybe make slightly more of a difference.”
Additional reporting by Stewart Bell
