Attention Mario Kart fans: E Prix driver explains 'Attack Mode'
The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is back at the Harbourfront for the 50th Formula E event. Ho Pin Tung of Team Panasonic tells ‘STYLE’ about what to expect on race day
Formula E returns to Hong Kong this weekend, on Sunday, March 10, with 22 drivers from 11 teams competing in the fifth race of the season and marking the sport’s 50th event.
The all-electric race made its global debut in Beijing’s Olympic Park in 2014 and has since gained popularity across the globe, with 13 races in 12 cities across five continents. The last race was held earlier this year, on February 16 in Mexico City.
FIA president Jean Todt and Spanish businessman Alejandro Agag, developed the series as a means to demonstrate the potential of sustainable mobility.
It explains why Formula E is always a street race in city centres, rather than on a purpose-built track. It uses only clean energy, giving leading brands a platform to develop sustainable urban transport technologies. BMW and Nissan joined the likes of Audi and Jaguar this year while Mercedes-Benz and Porsche have signed on for the sixth season.
Sunday marks the third time the 1.86km race has hit the streets of Hong Kong, except on this occasion, it boasts a brand new generation of cars that can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 280km/h – lasting the entire race.
Ahead of race day, Ho Pin Tung of Team Panasonic gave STYLE a cheat sheet on everything you need to know about Formula E, including its Hunger Games-esque “Fan Boost” campaign and the Mario Kart-like ‘“Attack Mode”.
Video By: Bridgette Hall
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