NIO Aiming to Continue Points Momentum on Return to Mexico City
Fresh from NIO’s first points finish of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship season in Chile last month, the whole team is charged for more success in the Americas this coming weekend when the all-electric series makes a welcome return to Mexico City.
Round four of the 2018/2019 campaign on Saturday, 16th February, could indeed prove to be a crucial turning point for NIO and its drivers Oliver Turvey and Tom Dillmann and has the potential for being a genuine springboard for the remainder of Season 5.
During the visit to a scorching hot Santiago in late January, British racer Turvey carved his way through the order from P19 on the grid to secure a fantastic top eight finish – clear proof of what should be possible in Mexico if early-season qualifying challenges can be overcome.
French team-mate Dillmann is still seeking a turn around in fortunes after a trying start to Season 5, which included an unfortunate retirement in Chile, and hopes are high that both he and Turvey will be firmly in the mix during qualifying and the race on Saturday.
This weekend’s Mexico City e-Prix at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, a track which also hosts the FIA Formula One World Championship, marks the fourth time Formula E will have raced in the country’s capital.
Oliver Turvey, Race Driver, NIO Formula E Team:
“After finishing on the podium last year I have fond memories, so it will be special to go back to race in Mexico City! I have spent time with the engineers preparing in the simulator for the technical circuit at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The fans in Mexico are always so passionate, creating a fantastic atmosphere in the unique stadium, so I will aim to put on a strong race and to score more points for NIO.”
Tom Dillmann, Race Driver, NIO Formula E Team:
“Mexico City will be a new track for me so I have been preparing on the simulator to help me gain knowledge of the circuit. We have had some issues in previous events this season, which have compromised our qualifying performances, so the goal will be to show the true pace of both the car and myself. Hopefully, our run of bad luck is now firmly behind us and we can have a strong weekend in Mexico.”
Gérry Hughes, Team Principal, NIO Formula E Team:
“We have had mixed fortunes in Mexico City but, with Oliver’s podium last season firmly in our minds, the NIO Formula E Team returns to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with renewed energy in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive battle in the inaugural season of the Generation 2 era.
“We need to deliver a great car for the drivers in qualifying so that they can demonstrate the full potential of the NIO 004 chassis and then be blessed with a clean race which, as we all know in Formula E, is not guaranteed.”
Coverage of round four of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship season on Saturday, 16th February, will be shown live on the BBC Sport website, the BBC iPlayer, mobile app and through the BBC ‘Red Button’ service. Visit the official championship ‘You Tube’ channel for a wealth of features, highlights and catch-up coverage.
Rd4 Schedule, Saturday, 16th February: Mexico City e-Prix
(all times local)
07.30 – Free Practice 1
10.00 – Free Practice 2
11.45 – Qualifying Group 1
11.55 – Qualifying Group 2
12.05 – Qualifying Group 3
12.15 – Qualifying Group 4
12.30 – Superpole (Top 6)
16.04 – Race (45mins +1 lap)
Listen live to Qualifying and the Race on Formula E Radio
There’s now one more way to keep up with the NIO Formula E team on race day! Formula E radio will be broadcasting live commentary of Qualifying and the race.
Tune in to the live show here from just before qualifying, through to half an hour after the race.
11.45 – Qualifying Begins
16.04 – Race
(All times local)
Connect with the NIO Formula E Team: @NIOFormulaE - Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: #BlueSkyComing #Acronis
