Formula Ennui.

By Peter M. De Lorenzo

Detroit. Well, here we go again. In a world of oversaturation in all forms of motorsport and declining interest in the sport in general worldwide - except for the major events that still matter - those geniuses at the FIA have decided that what the world needs right now at this very moment is a manufactured racing series for people who don't like racing. Formula E, or Formula Ennui as I like to refer to it, is upon us, and officially it is described as "the FIA’s new fully-electric single-seater championship designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans, while accelerating the interest in electric vehicles and promoting sustainability."

In other words this is the FIA's cynical play - does the FIA ever do anything that isn't cynical? - to promote and project electric racing cars as a way to extract more money from guilt-ridden manufacturers and unsuspecting cities who think this "benign" form of racing will somehow be okay. Note that the entire series is to be conducted in urban centers because the FIA has convinced the participating cities that it won't be messy, or loud, or anything even remotely resembling racing, but instead a warped facsimile of it that will be acceptable for an idyllic green future.

That the opener is in Beijing is no accident, as the Chinese government is convinced that the electrification of its motor fleet is essential, even though its coal-burning energy plants - the majority source of its electricity - have resulted in the most polluted country on earth. Thus, the FIA has packaged Formula E as a form of motorsport for those cities that have either gone on record as either openly hating everything to do with the automobile, or have taken steps to reduce motor vehicle access to them altogether (the finale for the series is in London, no less).

Now the opposing view to take is that this idea is brilliant, that it will provide a path to sustainability for the sport into the future, and that it will sync with car companies' aggressive new electric vehicle programs going forward. Except for a couple of things: 1. Consumers aren't embracing electric vehicles, at least not enough to matter, and that's a global phenomenon, not just here in the U.S. (Look beyond the gushing coverage that the media gives to Tesla and peruse the hard sales numbers, it's not pretty.)  And 2. There's one significant piece missing in all of this, and that is that the noise, or lack thereof, or specifically the type of noise that these machines generate - think of the slot car sets you played with as a kid and amp up the sound considerably - and frankly, it's going to leave people cold.

What about the racing? Well, since the cars can't run a full race on a single charge, the drivers will switch cars at half distance, so there's that. And it has been interesting to hear the comments from the drivers themselves, who are straining to find the words to convey what the experience is actually like without sounding like they don't care for it. The only thing that I can discern from their comments is that it's "different." Not exactly a rousing endorsement, is it? Again, I'm sure those taking the opposing view would say that if it weren't interesting drivers wouldn't be lining up for a seat. Au contraire, my friends. The High-Octane Truth about racing drivers? They'll race for Twinkies through a shit storm if it means having a ride, so please spare me that argument.

Is this what racing has come down to? The FIA manufactures a series designed to goad governments and corporations (and TV networks) into participation because it is presented as being a benign facsimile of the real thing and points to a sustainable future? And that by participating they can all get green stars and feel good about themselves? Really? That's what they're going with?

I'm sorry but it's not racing at all. It's unmitigated political bullshit packaged by the FIA and being presented as The Next Big Thing. And it stinks.

Formula Ennui indeed.


Publisher's Note: As part of our continuing series celebrating the "Glory Days" of racing, we're proud to present another noteworthy image from the Ford Racing Archives. - PMD

(Photo by Dave Friedman courtesy of the Ford Racing Archives)
Indianapolis, Indiana, 1965. Jim Clark and Colin Chapman discuss things with a Goodyear tire engineer during practice for the Indianapolis 500 that year, a race Clark would dominate.

Publisher's Note: Like these Ford racing photos? Check out www.fordimages.com. Be forewarned, however, because you won't be able to go there and not order something. - PMD