Formula E has revealed the layout for its Monaco ePrix on May 9th, confirming speculation that the series would run on an new variant of the Circuit de Monaco.
This shorter version runs to 2.76km on 12 turns, and is still subject to final FIA homologation. The changes are similar to what Formula E is doing for its race at the also-famous Long Beach, which takes place next weekend on a 2.1km, 7-turn version of the California street track.
The break from the usual Grand Prix circuit, which has remained essentially unchanged since the very first race in 1929, occurs at the first corner Sainte Devote. Instead of beginning the climb up to Casino Square, it becomes a hairpin which leads onto the Avenue du Président Kennedy, previously only used as run-off exiting the tunnel. The cars will rejoin the normal circuit at the point of the chicane, and then the layout is the same as F1s use for the rest of the lap.
No doubt these shorter versions of classic circuits is something necessitated by the early electric technology's current lack of power and range compared to more conventional machinery, but one of Formula E's most interesting features so far has been the new layouts and locations it's produced and visited, such as in Putrajaya and Buenos Aires, most of which have produced dramatic races. We'll see in May if this all-new Monaco layout can do the same.
It has also been announced, like with Long Beach, that there will be free entry to the Monaco ePrix, which is expected to be replaced on Formula E's calendar by Paris for next season due to a date clash with the principality's Historic Grand Prix.
RaceDepartment's preview of next Saturday's Long Beach ePrix is coming soon.
