WHO WILL MASTER MEXICO? 2021 PUEBLA E-PRIX PREVIEW

ROKiT Venturi Racing looks ahead to the inaugural Puebla E-Prix

IN NUMBERS Autodromo Miguel E. Abed Length // 2.982km Corners // 15

THE CITY

The FIA Formula E World Championship has been racing in Mexico since 2016, and as the second half of Season 7 gets underway, returns to the country once more this weekend.

Instead of doing battle on the iconic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, we’ll be heading South-East to visit Puebla for the very first time, the 24th city to host a Formula E race since its inception.

With a history that stretches back to 1531, over the course of 500 years, Puebla has grown to become Mexico’s fourth-largest city, with a population of 3.25million.

In 1987, it was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is acclaimed for its wide-ranging architectural styles, cuisine and Talavera ceramics.

Two years earlier, 1985 marked the opening of the Autodromo Miguel E. Abed and this weekend, we’ll be racing on this purpose-built circuit for the first time.

THE TRACK

20 years after its opening, the Autodromo Miguel E. Abed was re-developed in 2005 to become the second racing circuit in Mexico to attain FIA homologation.

The venue hosted the World Touring Car Championship on four occasions until 2009 and since then, has been a regular feature on the NASCAR Mexico series calendar.

This weekend’s Puebla E-Prix will be the circuit’s first international event in 12 years and its 15 corners – including a never before seen banked turn in Formula E – will place increased emphasis on tyre management in the face of high degradation.

With a proven track record in Mexico where Edoardo Mortara holds a 100% points-scoring streak, we can’t wait to get the action underway in front of a passionate crowd in Puebla.

IN THEIR WORDS

Susie Wolff, ROKiT Venturi Racing Team Principal “It’s our first time heading to Puebla and whilst it’s a shame that we can’t be in Mexico City, we’re very happy to be returning to Mexico especially in the current climate. After a short break, we’re looking forward to getting the second half of the season underway - with eight races over the next eight weeks the momentum has returned to the calendar with full force. The technicality of the new track combined with the unpredictable weather should make for a very exciting and challenging weekend of racing and we can’t wait to get back out there.”

Edoardo Mortara “Mexican fans have such a passion for motorsport, they create this incredible energy which in turn makes Mexico a very special place to race. I’ve performed well in Mexico in the past but racing in Puebla will bring a new challenge. Because it’s a new track, no one in the paddock has any data from past races and this means that we’re all starting from the same point. Earlier this season we demonstrated that we have what it takes to fight at the front, I'm hoping that we can bring more of that energy to Mexico.”

Norman Nato “After a short break, I’m excited to get back behind the wheel and can’t wait to get the second half of the season underway. As a rookie, I learned a lot during the first seven races and I’m expecting us to be a lot stronger in the second half. Puebla is a new addition to the calendar which is an advantage to me because it means that the entire field is starting from zero. This means that the practice session will be very critical, and if we can do some consistent running from the outset, we should be in a good position. As always, the aim is to score points and I’m looking forward to the challenge of another new track.”

Information and photos source : ROKiT Venturi Racing