The second Formula E season is only a few days away, and the teams have already landed in Beijing as we prepare for the first race of the season.

Testing has not given anyone a clear indication of who will be quick going into the race, due to the heavy rain at Donington Park on the final two days of testing.

However, teams and drivers admit that the Leicestershire track is not representative of a Formula E track, which means if you are quick at Donington you may not be quick on a tight and twisty Formula E circuit.

Track Location

The Beijing ePrix is set around the grounds of China’s iconic Olympic Park, the venue for the 2008 Olympic Games and home of the Bird’s Nest stadium.

The temporary Chinese race track is one of the longest at 3.439km in length and featuring 17 turns. The race last year consisted of 25 laps, but as Formula E takes its first step into improving its technology, the race has been extended by one lap, so teams have to focus on being as efficient as possible.

Track Changes

Most Formula E tracks are expected to have a few tweaks made to them this year from the events that took place last year.

There has only been one change to track design compared to last year, as the chicane between turns two and three has been taken out, in order to create an overtaking opportunity going into turn three.

This change will allow drivers to drive flat out along the straight, which should allow drivers to dive down the inside to overtake.

Overtaking Opportunities

The track has a number of possible overtaking spots. Turn one may be the best chance to see overtaking, as cars that get a good exit from the final corner should be able to find themselves alongside the driver in front going into turn one.

As already discussed turn three should become an overtaking opportunity thanks to the removal of the chicane, and the final place where drivers may overtake is turn 16.

Drivers that get a good run out of the final chicane on the circuit could have a run at the driver in front going into turn 16. However, we did see drivers last year trying to position their car correctly through 16 to get a move completed going into the tight turn 17 left-hander.

Let’s hope if Nick Heidfeld tries it this season it works for him.

Last Season’s Race

Last year’s race was won by Lucas Di Grassi after the dramatic final corner crash between Heidfeld and Nicolas Prost.

Due to the tight nature of the circuit there were only a few overtakes, compared to the amount of overtakes we got accustomed to over the course of the season.

Takuma Sato in his only Formula E race took the fastest lap of the race last year, but his time should be beaten this season as the cars are allowed to run up 170kW this year compared to the 150kW last year.

Predictions

This race should be just as fascinating as last year’s race but for different reasons. Last year the fact that the racing was exciting and the cars worked was an achievement in itself.

However, this year it will be exciting for the fact that we don’t know who will win this race. Audi Sport ABT looked the strongest team through testing, but you cannot discount last years constructors champions E.Dams

Mahindra, Dragon Racing, and Venturi could all be the hunt for a podium position, and we can’t forget NEXTEV.

The Chinese team did not have the best pre-season test, but it is believed that they only ran at 150kW at Donington Park, which means we haven’t seen a competitive lap time from Oliver Turvey or Champion Nelson Piquet Jr.

So it’s set to be a fantastic race in Beijing, and hopefully a lot of questions will be answered from the first race of the season.