Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global

Continued growth: Agag becomes chairman, Formula E seek new CEO

Giving further indication of the growth of the all-electric racing series, Formula E's founder Alejandro Agag has become the sport's chairman, with...

Motorsport Blog

Motorsport Blog

Giving further indication of the growth of the all-electric racing series, Formula E's founder Alejandro Agag has become the sport's chairman, with the series looking to expand their management structure.

Having watched the series grow from initial conversations back in 2011, Agag's new role as chairman means he will now "focus on relationships with commercial partners, host cities and the FIA". He will remain as acting CEO until a new appointment has been made.

Alejandro Agag, Founder & newly-appointed Chairman of Formula E, said: “It’s time to open a new phase in the world’s fastest-growing motorsport. I’m really proud of the job we’ve done, together with the FIA, our management team, shareholders, partners and teams.

"Formula E is in the best moment of its short history. As Chairman, I’ll be better placed to help the new CEO and our strong management team to continue growing the sport that I believe is the future of motor racing.”

Ex-Red Bull junior Da Costa wins season opener

This weekend's Formula E race was the opening round of the 2018-2019 Formula E season, which was the first for the faster, sleeker, Gen2 cars, which are equipped with bigger batteries and will not be required to swap cars half-way through the race.

In the opening race in Saudi Arabia, it was BMW Andretti driver - and former Red Bull junior driver - Antonio Felix da Costa who took the chequered flag from pole position ahead Techeetah's Jean-Eric Vergne, himself a former Red Bull driver.

Having taken the lead part-way through the race after a series of bold overtakes from fifth place, Vergne was handed a drive-through penalty for a technical infringement.

However, the reigning champion fought back and a final-lap showdown between the two drivers ended with da Costa fending off the challenge from Vergne.

One of the series' longest-serving drivers, Mahindra Racing's Jerome D'Ambrosio, took the final podium place on his debut for the team.

Two recent Formula One drivers - Felipe Massa and Stoffel Vandoorne - endured frustrating Formula E debuts.

Massa - driving for Venturi - looked set for points after a series of feisty overtakes, but was penalised for two FanBoost-related offences, whilst HWA's Vandoorne started the race in a remarkable P4 before falling back due to technical problems.

By: Luke Murphy

All images: Motorsport Images

Have your opinions of Formula E changed due to the implementation of the Gen2 cars? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article BMW: Debut win unexpected despite testing sweep
Next article Bird tops post-race Formula E test in Saudi Arabia

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global