New challenges for the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team on the return of the series to Rome

At the end of a six-week break since the season opener in Diriyah, the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team returns to the track this weekend for the Rome E-Prix

• As with the season opener, the second race weekend of Season 7 will consist of two races (10 and 11 April).
• The 3.380 km Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR is one of the longest tracks in Formula E and has been specially modified for this season
• Ian James: “We must ensure we don’t lose our focus and that we optimise every opportunity throughout the weekend to score as many points as possible”

  

  

• Nyck de Vries: “It looks like a real city centre Formula E track – the varying surface quality and the elevation changes are going to make it a bumpy ride, so it promises to be a very intense and challenging race”
• Stoffel Vandoorne: “I have great memories from Rome where I scored my first podium in Formula E, and it is one of my favourite tracks”

The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team will be in Rome this weekend (9 – 11 April) for the second event of the 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season. This will be the first time that the team has contested a race in the Italian capital. The Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR is one of the longest tracks on the itinerary of the all-electric racing series.

The Rome E-Prix will be held for the third time this year, the first two having taken place in 2018 and 2019, and will be staged on a modified 3.380 km street circuit with 19 corners running through the campus of the Esposizione Universale di Roma (EUR) World Expo.

In Season 7, the Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR will retain its characteristics as a mini-rollercoaster with a number of elevation changes and an exceptionally bumpy surface. At the same time, the new track layout has longer and faster straights, which should offer more overtaking opportunities.

There are a couple of differences in the programme for Saturday and Sunday this time. After the usual 15-minute shakedown on Friday evening, there will be two free practice sessions on Saturday morning before qualifying and the first of the two races (start time 16:04 CEST). On Sunday, there will be only one free practice session before qualifying, with the race starting at 13:04 CEST.