The Race Formula E Podcast

A typically action-packed Formula E weekend at the energy-bonkers Misano circuit in Italy is debated in this episode with special guest Maserati MSG’s Maximilian Guenther. Oliver Rowland and Pascal Wehrlein were the victors but the biggest story of the weekend was Antonio Felix da Costa’s bizarre and petty disqualification and the furious exchanges between Porsche and the FIA That is forensically analysed, as is the why Oliver Rowland ran out of energy while starting the last lap handing Wehrlein the win and the championship points lead. Gunther details his races which involved a strong run to third on Saturday, a dust up with Mitch Evans, getting airborne via kerbs and then seeing another points finish on Sunday being taken away for an incident with Jean-Eric Vergne. Hosts Andrew Van de Burgt and Sam Smith also take a wry-eye look at various other flashpoints, decipher the latest paddock news and indulge, for no particular reason at all, in reminiscing randomly about 1980s boxers and the long-forgotten Cagliari F3000 street race. Join The Race Members Club. Click here to sign up or join in Apple Podcast app Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Race Formula E podcast goes big in Japan as the inaugural Tokyo EPrix is reviewed by Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt. How did Maximilian Guenther spring a surprise for Maserati MSG? Why did Oliver Rowland relinquish the lead? What happened to Edoardo Mortara after his qualifying heroics and why did Norman Nato’s sixth place get reinstated? All this and much more is covered, including an interview with the new Lola-Yamaha programme manager Mark Preston, as he outlines Lola’s ambition for 2025 and beyond. There is also a major breaking news story covered in which sensationally one of the Tokyo EPrixs points finishers is revealed as testing for a rival team! Join The Race Members Club. Click here to sign up Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of The Race Formula E podcast Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt report from the Tokyo EPrix paddock with special guests Tommaso Volpe and Tadashi Nishikawa from the Nissan Formula team. An in-depth look in to Nissan’s electric programme is discussed, as is the recent announcement of the Japanese giant’s commitment to the Gen4 rules set which will ensure it remains racing in the world championship until 2030. Additionally, Volpe and Nishikawa, outline Nissan’s technical prowess and how it dovetails with its automotive messaging around all-electric engineering. Oliver Rowland also joins the conversation, looking ahead to the Tokyo EPrix and what excites him about the new circuit. Join The Race Members Club. Click here to sign up Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A dramatic pot-boiling Sao Paulo EPrix is reviewed by Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt as they analyse the thrilling final lap win for Sam Bird, the first for the NEOM McLaren team. The duo are joined by Jaguar TCS Racing team principal James Barclay who talks over both Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy’s contrasting races and how the team ae reflecting on its generally positive start to the 2024 season. Also dissected are Oliver Rowland’s outrageous 5th to 3rd last corner mugging of Jake Dennis and Pascal Wehrlein, Maximilian Guenther’s blast through from last to 9th despite grid and stop/go penalties and disastrous races for hometown heroes Lucas di Grassi and Sergio Sette Camara. There is also time for a look ahead to the forthcoming inaugural Tokyo ePrix, the latest news from the paddock and even the moment Smith almost inadvertently wiped out Bernie Ecclestone in the paddock! Click here to take our quick survey about your podcast habits and you could win £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers Join The Race Members Club. Click here to sign up Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After an enforced and agonising seven-week gap in the 2024 calendar Formula E is back this weekend with the second Sao Paulo EPrix. Andrew van de Burgt is on feisty form as he questions some of the ‘noise’ generated in the intervening period since the Diriyah races in January, while Sam Smith reports from a visit to NEOM McLaren where he chats to team principal Ian James. The recent episode of The Apprentice is mulled over by Van de Burgt who is unflinching in his assessment of what he believed was a major lost opportunity for Formula E. The pair also discuss if Sao Paulo will see the first true energy saving race of the season and how both Mitch Evans and Antonio Felix da Costa can properly kick-start their tough seasons so far. Join The Race Members Club and have a free month on us! Click here to sign up Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The two Diriyah EPrixs through up vastly different protagonists last week with only Nick Cassidy managing to achieve anything bordering on consistency. In this week’s Formula E podcast Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt are joined by Envision Racing’s Robin Frijns who put behind him a disappointing Friday race in Riyadh to lead but ultimately finish second to Cassidy in the second race. The trio discuss what made the event so difficult and what could be done in the future to make track conditions more conducive to racing. Topics such as Mitch Evans’ eventful Friday race, Pascal Wehrlein’s damage limitation exercises, surprises from Sergio Sette Camara and Jehan Daruvala, and the worrying form from Antonio Felix da Costa, are also covered off. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The opening 2023 ABB FIA Formula E world championship race at the 2024 Mexico City EPrix was no classic but it still offered up some points of interest and one big controversial flashpoint. That was the investigation in to Porsche's starts, and while they were cleared of any wrongdoing, The Race’s Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt delve in to the backstory of the investigations. Wehrlein’s conclusive win is also contextualised, as is the fine performances of Sebastien Buemi, Nick Cassidy and Maximilian Guenther. The Antonio Felix da Costa and Nico Mueller incident is analysed, and the podcast is joined by Mahindra boss Frederic Bertrand who talks about his teams start to the season and the return to the championship of Nyck de Vries. The latest news is also discussed, including a major announcement that will hit the newsstands on Monday 22nd January! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the 10th season of Formula E approaches The Race previews what is being billed as the closest yet battle for the all-electric world title. Giving Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt a run for their money on the jibber-jabber in this episode is new lead Formula E commentator Tom Brooks. He gives his opinions and predictions on the season ahead including who might take the title, who will win EPrixs, who might struggle and how the hotly anticipated ‘attack charge’ boosting pit-stops might fair. 2021 champion Nyck de Vries’ return to Formula E is discussed after a bruising F1 experience, and the prospects for Nick Cassidy’s debut season with Jaguar is also analysed. As well as the look ahead to the season, all the latest news is covered including the late cancellation of the third event on the calendar in Hyderabad. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The final episode of The Race Formula E podcast features an interview with new lead presenter for the all-electric World Championship Jermaine Jenas. The former Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and England midfielder joins Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt to talk about his new challenger for 2024. The broadcasting of Formula E comes under scrutiny as Sam and Andrew answer readers’ questions, several of which ask about Formula E’s new deal with the TNT subscription broadcaster. There is a lighter hearted section as our hosts reminisce about other footballers that tuned their hands to motorsport with varying degrees of success. The year is rounded out with a special seasons greeting from occasional The Race contributor Alice Holloway who showcases her own take on a classic Christmas carol! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maserati MSG co-owner Scott Swid joins Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt to discuss the teams turbulent 2023 and look ahead to the 2024 season. Swid also discusses the overall picture in Formula E with interesting insights and opinion in to how it can leverage its position further in the sporting world, including how TV and streaming could be exploited more. Formula E’s up and down relationship in the U.S is also mulled over as the American business leader lays out why racing stateside is so important for the all-electric world championship. Sam and Andrew look in to the latest news stories too, with emphasis given to Jaguar’s impressive new HQ, DS Penske’s recent recruitment drive and the winning tenders for the Gen4 era. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of The Race Formula E podcast Andretti Formula E team principal Roger Griffiths joins Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt to talk about how the team that took Jake Dennis to the 2023 title will set out to defend the crown this coming season. Griffiths gives intriguing insights in to the challenges that Formula E faces in the second season of Gen3 racing, including the anticipated introduction of fast charging pit stops. Also discussed is the recent test in Mallorca that put some new Hankook tyres through its paces and ran the Gen3 car with an active front powertrain kit for the first time ever. Griffiths also gives insight in to the choice of Norman Nato as Dennis’ teammate for the new season and how an often fractious relationship with manufacturer mothership Porsche has been soothed in the off-season. Smith and van de Burgt also mull over the second Formula E silly season centred around senior technical staff, and as ever, stew and procrastinate over the ever-shifting 2024.calendar. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest episode of The Race Formula E podcast reports from Valencia after a dramatic pre-season test last week. The spectacular pit fire is discussed in detail by regular hosts Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt, with Smith also gauging the opinions of Porsche boss Florian Modlinger, who also talks about Porsche’s 2024 title ambitions. The incoming advent of the fast charging pit stops is also debated, as is the latest tweaks to the calendar that are expected in the coming weeks. Mitch Evans and Gary Paffett are interviewed about their opinions and hopes about the fast charging addition for 2024, while Smith and VDB consider who can take the fight to the pre-eminent Jaguar and Porsche powered cars. The latest news is also delved into, including the departure of Maserati MSG team principal James Rossiter and a possible surprise return of the Mercedes name to Formula E. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his first interview since becoming a Jaguar TCS Racing driver, Nick Cassidy joins hosts Andrew van de Burgt and Sam Smith to look ahead to his new career chapter as he joins old friend Mitch Evans at ‘The Big Cat’. The challenge of racing for a major manufacturer is touched on, as is the prospect of racing with fellow Kiwi, Mitch Evans in the modern equivalent of the Bruce and Denny show! Cassidy also has a rueful and engaging look back on a dramatic 2023 season, especially the London EPrix in which he looked to be nailed on to take the title battle against Jake Dennis to the final day before a complex failed team orchestration with Sebastien Buemi played out. A look ahead to the upcoming Valencia test is also discussed, as well as all the latest news including anticipating the 2024 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar which is expected to have several twists when the final draft of it is issued this week. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oliver Rowland joins Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt in the latest episode of The Race Formula E podcast, as he settles in to life back at his former team Nissan. The trio discuss Rowland’s turbulent final half season at Mahindra and dig down in to how the switch back to Nissan panned out. The prospects for the 2024 at Nissan are covered, as is Rowland’s new position as the elder statesman in a team for the first time in Formula E. The upcoming move in to mandatory pit stops is also debated with Rowland ruminating on how the fast-charging stops will affect the structure of races. Additionally, Smith and Van de Burgt cover off the latest news including another driver returning to an old team as Lucas di Grassi switches from Mahindra to the Abt Cupra squad. The inevitable calendar update concludes the episode as the possibility of racing in Shanghai comes on to the horizon and doubts about the Cape Town start to circulate. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Maserati MSG Formula E driver Jehan Daruvala joins Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt to talk about his new challenge as the 2024 grid is completed. Smith journeyed to Monaco to meet the Indian and his new team boss and the trio talk about Maserati’s aspirations for the new season and about their new facility they moved in to last month. James Rosister also chips in about where the team is presently at and if it can reprise its occasional heroics this coming season. Also discussed on the podcast is the other recent signings including Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara at Mahindra, as well as the chances of Lucas di Grassi’s homecoming at Abt Cupra. In the second half of this episode we also look back on some of the more memorable and off-beat moments of the 2023 campaign including Jake Hughes head-butting some debris fencing and Smith being escorted by a herd of goats to the Hyderabad EPrix entrance. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special feature length 2023 season review episode Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt are joined by Envision Racing boss Sylvain Filippi to talk through the teams’ most successful campaign to date. Filippi details key moments in Envision’s title winning season, looking at the key successes, tricky team orchestration at the London EPrix and how Nick Cassidy’s switch from the team to Jaguar played out amid the triumph. Smith and van de Burgt complete a team by team appraisal of the season and also look at what might be next for teams as Gen3 matures for next season. The inevitable calendar updates are mulled over as are Sam Bird, Norman Nato and Oliver Rowland’s recent team switches. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2023 ABB FIA Formula E world champion Jake Dennis joins Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt for a lookback at the crucial London EPrix event at ExCeL Arena last weekend that saw him crowned as champion. Dennis describes the tense and chaotic end of the season on his home patch and how he repelled multiple attempts from Envision, Jaguar and Porsche to knock him off his stride. The UK’s first all-electric single-seater world champion also goes over his season and how consistency, his own brilliance and his teams backing got him over the line. Smith and van de Burgt also cover off Envision’s incredible rise to be teams’ world champions, Porsche’s capitulation and also how some of the most baffling officiating decisions seen in recent years played out. The occasional giant killing properties of NIO 333 and Nico Mueller are also explored, and the latest intelligence from a febrile driver Magic Roundabout for 2024 seats is mulled over. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A bonus edition of The Race’s Formula E podcast lands to look ahead to the third ever London EPrix meeting as the curtain gets ready to come down on the 2023 season. NEOM McLaren team principal Ian James joins Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt to talk about the team’s home event and the status of the unique indoors and outdoors venue as it gets set to host the season finale. Sam and Andrew quiz Ian on NEOM McLaren’s first season after metamorphosing from the 2022 title winning Mercedes EQ operation and what the future might hold for Formula E’s newest entry. Also covered is the title battle which will see Jake Dennis heading to his home event with a comfortable 24-point margin over Nick Cassidy. The trio also talk generally on the first Gen3 season which saw teams challenged by initial difficulties, and we ask if the racing has lived up to the pre-season hype. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt are joined by Nissan’s Sacha Fenestraz to review a spectacular Rome EPrix that saw several twists in the hitherto close 2023 title battle. Jake Dennis emerged as the clear favourite after winning the second race on Sunday, with his joy accelerated by the fact his two most direct championship competitors collided on the second lap. Also discussed is the catastrophic accident triggered by Sam Bird losing control of his Jaguar and the near misses that ensued, particularly for Antonio Felix da Costa, Edoardo Mortara and Bird himself. The knock-on effect of that shunt also included some remarkable stories on how new monocoques were allocated throughout the paddock. Fenestraz describes his pride in Nissan achieving its best result in almost two years, while the Franco-Argentinian also mulls over a promising yet ultimately difficult weekend in which his excellent Saturday qualifying essentially counted for nothing come the race. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mitch Evans joins Sam Smith and Andrew van de Burgt on the latest episode of The Race Formula E podcast looking back at the first ever Portland EPrix. Evans goes over his incredible run from 20th to fourth position as he kept himself in the title frame with just four races of the 2023 season remaining. He also describes what’s it like in the white heat of the 22 car peloton after Formula E’s most extreme energy-management race yet. Nick Cassidy, who could become Evans’ teammate at Jaguar next season, clinched his third victory of the season, and his techniques of accomplishing perfectly executed victories is discussed. Also on the discussion table is whether or not the style of this racing is attractive to fans, is Jake Dennis now the title favourite, were DS Penske cheating, Maserati and Nissan drivers colliding together and Nico Mueller’s huge car destroying shunt. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices