Formula E will be introducing in-race ‘FanBoost’ voting for the first time at the Beijing ePrix next month.
The FanBoost system last year gave three drivers the opportunity to increase their power to 180kw for five seconds, an increase over the race allocation of 150kw. The three drivers were voted for on the lead up to the event on the Formula E website and were announced on the grid in the form of grid girls displaying a sign beside their car.
The new system will see the voting continued for six minutes into the race, assisted by a new voting system. Voting by Twitter. Facebook and Instagram will be introduced thanks to a new partnership with social engagement specialists Telescope. Voting will also still be possible through the website, starting 12 days before the race.
With the engine power increased for the second season, the extra power for the boost has been limited to an extra 100kJ of energy. Instead this can be used within a range of 180-200kW, rather than the previous limit at 180kW. It can also only be used once and not as bursts.
To mix up the strategy of using the boost, it can only be used on the first car before the mid-race split.
Explaining the news on the Formula E website, Director of Media at Formula E Ali Russell, said, “FanBoost is a uniquely fan engaging element of our series and by being able to vote during the race the level of engagement will increase significantly, creating a real-time relationship between drivers, teams and fans.
“We are delighted to partner with Telescope, who have a proven track record in this field, and with their expertise we will evolve the FanBoost concept to become a standard bearer for fan interactivity in sport.”
Voting for the first ePrix of the season in Beijing opens on October 12th.
