Current Affairs - Formula E and Extreme E

Matt Kew is back from attending the first two Formula E events to answer the big questions arising from both action-packed races. Friday was dominated by a supreme performance from Nyck der Vries who dominated every session and drove to a commanding win in the first ePRix of the Diriyah double header. On Saturday, Sam Bird would be handed the win after a red flag brought a premature end with 3 minutes left on the clock, which overshadowed a victory he always looked to have under control.

Two major incidents naturally dominated the talking points. Alex Lynn ended his weekend upside down in his Mahindra after a spectacular airborne incident which, somehow, wasn't the scariest moment of the weekend. That honour goes to Edoardo Mortara who accelerated off the track and hit the wall head-on during the Saturday practice session. “To be frank with you I thought that was pretty much the end for me" he said afterwards. On the podcast we explain how a software issue left Mortara with no ability to stop the car, and what the solution was.

In the latest episode of Teammate Wars, DS Techeetah’s Vergne and da Costa wound up in another situation which required a post-race summit to establish the rules of engagement. Again. Matt Kew (Autosport Editorial Assistant) is joined by Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport).

Formula E returns this weekend with track action starting on Friday 26th February in Diriyah. The 2021 season (or Season 7 as Formula E like it to be known) sees 10 manufacturer entries out of the 12 teams on the grid, a high-water mark perhaps before some of them leave at the end of the year. On our first podcast of the season, we run through the teams, the drivers, the battles and the tech you need to know about. Plus we look ahead to the Gen3 cars which Mahindra Racing and DS have already committed to, with others including McLaren expected to join. Matt Kew (Autosport Editorial Assistant) is joined by Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport).

Matt Kew (Autosport Editorial Assistant) is joined by Jake Boxall-Legge (Technical Editor, Autosport) to cast their expert opinion over the final rounds of the 2019/20 Formula E season. Was the plan to run six races in Berlin a success? With a champion crowned, why was it good news to see two maiden winners? And does it mean that Mercedes and Nissan can take the fight to DS Techeetah next year?

Matt Kew is joined by Jake Boxall-Legge to analyse the title battle, as Antonio Felix da Costa closes in on the championship.

On the eve of the return of Formula E in Berlin, Matt Kew checks in with Nicki Shields from her Berlin hotel room. They talk about the return of Formula E, how the sport is coping with the pandemic and their predictions for who will shine over the next 6 races.

On the podcast today, Matt and Alex talk about how Formula E will deliver six races in three double-header events in Berlin. Plus, we ask if the punishment was too harsh for Abt; our verdicts on the Formula E documentary 'And We Go Green' and why the 2020/21 calendar will deliver regular action.

In recent weeks we've brought you interviews with drivers, team principals and series chiefs from Formula E. Whist there is no racing at present until the season starts again, there is still plenty to talk about.

One of the big talking points recently was Alejandro Agag telling this podcast that city racing could be abandoned for three years. So today Matt Kew is joined by Alex Kalinauckas and Kevin Turner (Chief Editor, Autosport) to discuss what our fantasy Formula E calendar would look like if the series moved to permanent circuits. Brands Hatch vs Valencia? Cadwell Park vs Paul Ricard?

How about the idea of event sharing with Formula 1 and MotoGP?

We would love to hear from you too. Did we miss any circuits? Tell us your suggestions by emailing [email protected]

Coming up on this edition of the show is an interview with Alejandro Agag, the founder and chairman of Formula E and also the founder and CEO of Extreme E. The all-electric off road racing series is set to kick off in January where it will visit Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Greenland and Brazil. The championship has also announced that each team will run both a male and female driver. This move immediately drew criticism on social media, so we give Alejandro the opportunity to offer his reply to those sceptics. We also chat through why the unease around social gatherings, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, might fundamentally change the setup of race meetings in the future.

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This week is two for the price of one on a very special episode of Current Affairs. Matt Kew is joined by Jean-Éric Vergne and António Félix da Costa from DS Techeetah. Ahead of JEV's 30th birthday we discuss how both drivers overcame the mental challenges of fighting for a seat in Formula 1, and we ask why their car has been the strongest in race pace this year.

On the podcast today you can hear Formula E Chairman Alejandro Agag speaking with Motorsport Network’s President, James Allen. Speaking exclusively to Autosport for our #thinkingforward series with motorsport leaders, Agag struck an optimistic note about the scale of opportunity that faces the industry, despite the severe challenges caused by the temporary cancellation of all events. They talked about why Formula E needs to reflect on the GEN3 car, the biggest lesson we can learn from the virus crisis, and how some racing series can survive through consolidation