Credit: Carl Bingham courtesy of FIA Formula E
Sacha Fenestraz has labelled the unique ExCeL Centre circuit as “one of the toughest tracks of the season”, ahead of this weekend’s 2023 Formula E season finale in London.
Fenestraz’s rookie campaign in the all-electric series will conclude this weekend at the London E-Prix double-header, which is an event which could suit the Nissan Formula E Team.
Overtaking is traditionally incredibly difficult at the special indoor/outdoor venue, increasing the importance of qualifying towards the front. Of the four races to have taken place at the ExCeL Centre, three of them have been won by a driver who started on the front row.
The lowest a driver has won at the venue from is third on the grid, which was accomplished by Alex Lynn in 2021. Qualifying is perhaps even more important in London than it was in Rome, which was another E-Prix where overtaking was risky.
With Nissan tending to be very strong in qualifying, Fenestraz could be set for a strong couple of days in East London, where he could claim a second pole position of his Formula E career.
Fenestraz is “extremely excited” for the season finale and is keen to end the campaign on a “positive note”, at one of the hardest circuits on the calendar.
“I’m extremely excited for the final race weekend of the year, it’s been a long season and now we’re looking to head into the break on a positive note,” said Fenestraz.
“It will be my first time racing at the London E-Prix, it’s set to be one of the toughest tracks of the season. We’ve been strong in qualifying recently, we’re just missing a little bit in the races in terms of energy management. We’ll keep working hard and look to finish the season in style.”
The Frenchman has enjoyed a very solid rookie season in the all-electric series, with him having adjusted to the championship superbly.
His highlight of the season is arguably his stunning pole position at the inaugural Cape Town E-Prix, where he broke the record for the fastest lap in the history of Formula E.
Fenestraz’s pole lap in South Africa boasted an average speed of 154.987km/h, to break the previous record. He went on to break the record again during his semi-final at the Portland E-Prix.
Whilst his qualifying performances this year have been sublime, he’s tended to fall backwards during the races. This isn’t necessarily his fault, with Nissan’s powertrain having often struggled with efficiency.
His best results this season are a pair of fourth-place finishes, which he achieved in Monaco and Jakarta. He would’ve started on pole in Monaco but his time was deleted because of a power overuse.
A maiden Formula E podium would mark a memorable end to the 24-year-old’s rookie campaign, as his attention will soon switch to his sophomore season with the Japanese manufacturer in 2024.
Keyword: ExCeL Centre ‘one of the toughest tracks of the season’ – Fenestraz