Components E world champion reveals how race vehicles speed up EV tech


António Félix da Costa is an especially quick employee. The motorsport star has barely caught his breath since racing to sixth place at 250 km/h in a race in Sao Paulo, however he is already again behind the wheel on a distinct continent.

The setting for his newest trip is the Stuttgart Car Middle, house of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. However you may by no means expertise these wheels spinning – as a result of they’re completely parked.

The gadget is a stationary cockpit surrounded by screens that recreates the driving of da Costa’s Porsche race automobile. This can be a essential check of actuality.

“After we arrived on the Sao Paulo circuit, the beginning setup and settings have been already outlined right here within the simulator,” da Costa tells TNW. “We consider the simulator is as near the true automobile as potential.”

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It’s considered one of many applied sciences remodeling Components E – the electrical cousin of petrol-powered Components 1 TNW convention On June 14th, da Costa will reveal the secrets and techniques of the digital transformation of sport. Earlier than the lecture, he gave us an perception into the progress.

Da Casta has steered this progress from the start. In 2013, the younger Portuguese was on his method to making his Components 1 debut till his staff made it a controversial choice Rent one other driver. However as that automobile door closed, one other one opened.

Components E was about to launch the first-ever sport with internet zero certification. And one of many groups wished to make da Costa their star driver.

The rise of Components E

Again then the vehicles have been doubtful points of interest. Two of those have been wanted to finish a single race. As well as, they solely provided a fraction of the efficiency of Components 1.

“I assumed I’d drive with 1,000 horsepower,” remembers da Costa. “Then I drive a race with lower than 200 hp – and now we have to swap vehicles in the midst of the race to complete the race as a result of the batteries don’t have sufficient vary.”

Regardless of the preliminary difficulties, da Costa acknowledged the potential. Electrical automobiles (EVs) have been getting into the mainstream and Components E had the possibility to speed up their progress.

“I’ve to maintain desirous about the mind of the automobile.

Da Costa rolled the cube and shortly cashed in cash. The 32-year-old received a world championship in 2020 and has competed in each season of the game. This has given him distinctive expertise with the technology-changing electrical automobiles.

Below the hood

Immediately’s Components E groups solely use a automobile that has 4 instances the ability of the unique racing vehicles. In a time of slowed improvement in Components 1, the progress of electrical racing has solely accelerated.

The fixed seek for extra pace usually results in software program. Drivers commonly obtain digital upgrades for each side of their automobile, from the gearshift and radio to energy and torque.

With potential wins at each flip, the staff welcomes experimentation. When new concepts emerge, they’re shortly examined within the simulator.

“Even the crazier concepts can find yourself within the racing automobile the subsequent day,” says da Costa.

Black and white photo of Formula E driver António Félix da Costa, who is driving the development of electric vehicles (EVs).