There is a lot I want to express. Here is my virtual notebook on this first race of the Formula E Championship based on that video earlier in this thread...
* It is very unusual hearing these cars zoom by from the different camera angles. A vicious-sounding car certainly has personality, but they do sort of sound like jet fighters.
* I wish there wasn't as much music playing during this video. I can understand possibly why there was so much music playing during that video, as if you're looking for something more interesting to listen to besides the sound of these cars. Even still, you're really taking away from the appeal by not allowing you to hear the cars in anger.
* The whole battery thing is very interesting. Almost like you can only do so much with only so much battery. It brings a different sort of strategy. You can't help but be fascinated as to how this whole deal is being implemented.
* The changing of cars almost reminds me in motorcycle racing when riders would change from a dry/wet bike to a wet/dry bike. It may sound like pathetic strategy to change machines, but that's what I'm reminded of in trying to change cars.
* Good grief! What a vicious wreck on the final lap! Best news (to me) was a look at how safe these cars are. Had this been the '70s or something, Nick Heidfeld would have been killed in a crash like that. I am never excited or crazy about crashes. I don't go on YouTube looking for crash videos. On the other hand, it does speak to the level of safety of cars in the event of brutal crashes, especially when the driver has mostly minimal injury or none at all.
* All congratulations to (the winner) and all who made the podium.
And that's all.
I think if you focus too much on the sound of the cars, you take away from looking at the series as a competitive racing series. I am looking at Formula E like a next step in the engineering and implementation of newer racing technology. These are purpose-built, proper racing cars utilizing electric energy. The traditional racing fan would find this to be completely stupid because others are used to the classic fury of a devilish race car shrieking at speed and scaring the daylights out people. But just like any industry or arena, there has to be evolution to ensure a peek into the future; and whether you like Formula E or not, this is just the first race that could go a long way into further evolution of racing machines and even the cars we'll be driving in the future. Even if the cars don't sound like they are capable of calamity, you still can't take away from the fact there are great racing talent piloting these cars, and that these talented drivers will push these cars and themselves as hard as possible. Just because they don't sound like furious racing cars doesn't mean they aren't capable racing machines. You can still have great racing even if the cars don't look or sound like the greatest racing machines ever built.
So I'm going to grade this first race as... a B+, or maybe an A-. Formula E is not going to blow peoples' minds right away. It isn't going to win over the respect of most traditional racing fans immediately. I think the ones who'll respect this series are the ones who love racing but also understands and acknowledges the further evolution of technology in racing and in automobiles. This Formula E series has that kind of potential. The development of these cars and such will get better over time. We at least have an idea of what to expect moving forward after seeing the Beijing action.
One thing will concern me about Formula E. How will the racing go in a wet or rainy race? All that electricity and such will mean you'll need to be VERY careful dealing with electrical material even as it's wet or rainy. It can be quite dangerous. That's really my only concern in regards to Formula E.
Those are all or most of my thoughts after one race of this championship.
