NIO Formula E Team: Paris E-Prix Report

Track: Circuit Des Invalides, Paris, France

Turns: 14

Track length: 1.9 kilometres

28 April 2018: The 2018 Paris E-Prix, round eight of the 2017/18 ABB FIA Formula E Championship, was an event of mixed emotions for the NIO Formula E Team. After Qualifying in P9, narrowly missing out on the Super Pole shoot out by only a tenth of a second, #16 NIO 003 driver Oliver Turvey maintained position when he crossed the line at the end of the hard-fought race.

NIO Formula E Team Reserve Driver, Qing Hua Ma, was behind the wheel of the #68 NIO 003 in the City of Light. After finishing in nineteenth position from Group 4 in Qualifying this afternoon, Ma went on the endure an inverter issue at the start of the race which put him on the back foot for the duration of the 49-lap contest around Les Invalides. The Chinese driver took the chequered flag in P17.

Oliver Turvey (#16 NIO 003)

“The car felt good in practice and we were quite competitive, so I was confident going in to Qualifying. It was another good lap, but the level is so high now in Formula E that it was so close - I was only one tenth away from Super Pole, which was frustrating.

We started the race in ninth and had a great start. The launch was really good and I managed to overtake one car in to Turn 1 and then got past Da Costa after a few laps as well. We pitted in eighth and the mechanics did a great job in the stop, so many thanks to them. We came out in eighth and it was tough to keep the other guys behind me as they had a lot of pace as well, but I felt that I was managing my energy and able hold off the pressure and maintain position until the end. Based on the pace today, ninth was probably the best result we could have achieved and to score more points for the team was good. We just need to learn and keep improving for the next race in Berlin.”

Qing Hua Ma (#68 NIO 003)

“I had a big problem at the start of the race, which wasn’t great, but what is more important is that we completed it and collected more data. This was very important because today we couldn’t do a lot during the practice sessions due to the red flag and other incidents, so I think that the race gave me more in terms of getting a better understanding of the car. On the positive side we can analyse the data, make comparisons with my team mate and overall, I very much enjoyed my weekend with the team.”

Gérry Hughes, Team Principal, NIO Formula E Team

“Another tough race at the Paris E-Prix for the NIO Formula E Team, where a number of factors throughout the day have affected our overall performance potential. Although we are certainly not content with the two points earnt here today, there are a number of positives that we, as a team, can take away from this event and we must now focus forward and centre our attention on the Berlin E-Prix in May.

I would just like to thank Qing Hua Ma for jumping in to car #68 at short notice and, whilst the outcome of his race today was not what we were all hoping for, he has equipped himself well and gained more valuable experience in this increasingly competitive motorsport series.”

Round nine of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship returns to Tempelhof Airport in Berlin on 19^th May, 2018.