Exclusive GT Racing News: DS Penske’s Busy Schedule and Formula E’s Tricky Portland Circuit
The last few weeks have been extremely busy for the DS Penske team, one of the powerhouses in the world of GT racing. Fresh off their return from Shanghai, the team has been hard at work, analyzing their recent performances and ensuring their sustainability. This was followed by intensive Gen 3 EVO testing on the Mallorca circuit in Spain, as they prepare for the upcoming season.
For the talented duo of Jean-Éric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne, who are also competing in the prestigious World Endurance Championship with Peugeot, the schedule has been even more packed. In addition to their Formula E commitments, they had to focus on the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours race on June 15-16 before turning their attention back to the world of electric single-seater racing.
Formula E’s Tricky Portland Circuit
As the Formula E calendar resumes, the series is heading to a particularly challenging venue – the Portland circuit in the United States. This permanent racetrack, which previously hosted IndyCar and still sees NASCAR action, is known for its 12 corners and a length of just over 3.3 km. Drivers consider it one of the most demanding tracks in terms of energy strategy.
“It’s the most complicated circuit we’ve come across from an energy point of view,” said DS Penske’s Jean-Éric Vergne. “In the simulator, we’d never worked on a track where you have to stay so far back in the pack to conserve energy.”
With the high aerodynamic drag of the Formula E cars, drivers can save a significant amount of energy, up to 20% per lap, by staying behind the leader. This unusual strategy, where being in the lead can be detrimental, makes Portland a true test of the teams’ ability to manage their energy usage.
The 2023 Formula E calendar features a double-header event in Portland, which is sure to add an extra layer of excitement and challenge. For experienced outfits like DS Penske, this presents a golden opportunity to score valuable championship points and maintain their position at the forefront of the electric racing scene.
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