Felipe Drugovich, driver for the Andretti team, has reopened the debate surrounding the introduction of slick tires in Formula E, arguing that this change would be the final element needed to complete the evolution of the new competition car known as Gen4.
Since its presentation at the end of last year, the fully electric competition has attracted ATTENTION with its new model, which offers a maximum power of 600 kW (805 hp) and all-wheel drive. This new generation of vehicles is expected to be faster than the current ones in Formula 2 and to come closer to the times of Formula 1.
However, despite this significant technical innovation, Formula E will continue to use grooved tires, as it has done since its foundation in 2014. Drugovich, who has experience in F1 testing and endurance racing with Cadillac, highlighted that the Gen4 is a significant advancement, but that the incorporation of slick tires would further increase the series’ appeal.
“I think it’s something that Formula E really needs,” the driver commented. “Qualifying will change a lot. The cars will be faster, and watching them go around the circuit will be a more enjoyable spectacle.” Drugovich believes that the absence of slick tires may affect fans’ perception, who might not see Formula E as a real championship until this change is made.
To reduce its environmental footprint, Formula E has historically used a single tire that works in both dry and wet conditions. With the arrival of the new Gen4 era and the switch to Bridgestone as the official supplier, the competition will introduce two different compounds: a high-performance tire for dry conditions and a dedicated tire for extreme conditions.
Even so, the tire for dry conditions will remain grooved. Drugovich sees this adaptation as an opportunity for the formula to take the final step towards slicks, as the championship is now moving towards a system of more than one tire. “I think everyone would want to use them,” the driver said. “If we are already introducing two types of tires, why not make the dry tire slick?”
Drugovich believes that the transition to a faster car is a significant advancement and that, with slick tires, the impact would be spectacular.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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