The Drive Goes Behind the Scenes at Formula E Long Beach
Pulling back the curtain on the electric car racing series.
If you're a follower of Formula E, you probably know the results of the 2016 Formula E Long Beach ePrix on April 2 already: ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport's Lucas di Grassi took first place, his teammate Daniel Abt claimed third, and Venturi's Stéphane Sarrazin split the difference, crossing the finish line less than a second behind di Grassi. But you might not have seen all the madness and magic happening off the race track. The drivers interacting with fans big and small. The electricity being pumped into the cars' batteries while dry ice cools the vehicles down. The anxious moments before the race, and the triumphant moments that come after it.
So to give you a chance to peek inside this world, The Drive sent photographer Tomas Muscionico down to Long Beach to capture what it's like behind the scenes of the world's preeminent electric car racing series. Click on through the gallery and check it out.
Daniel Abt of Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler prepares for the race.
A close-up of Jerome D'Ambrosio of Team Dragon Racing.
Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro of Team Andretti takes a quick break.
Nicolas Prost of Team Renault e.dams signs autographs for fans.
Nelson Piquet of Team NEXTEV TCR poses with a pint-sized fan.
The Formula E steering wheel may not be as busy as an F1 car's, but it's still complex.
Nick Heidfeld of Team Mahindra, tucked in and ready to roll.
Nick Heidfeld's car cops a charge while cooling down with some dry ice during qualifying.
Lucas di Grassi of Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler has it made in the shade moments before the race.
Nicolas Prost's car chills out, thanks to a ventilator and a little solid carbon dioxide.
Nelson Piquet preps for qualifying.
Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro suits up.
Simona de Silvestro's car is pushed from the paddock to the pits ahead of qualifying.
The cars of Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler.
Lucas di Grassi and Robin Frijns crash into one another during the fifth lap.
Two cars rip around the final curve.
A triumphant Lucas di Grassi plants a victory smooch on girlfriend Bianca Caloi.
The assembled crew of Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler.