Electrifying action down Mexico way

While Formula 1 rested after its season opener, it was time for Formula E to take centre stage in Mexico City on Saturday – and it didn’t disappoint. While you could accuse F1’s on-track product to be struggling at present (although the jury is considering its verdict right now), Formula E served up an off-the-wall classic at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The fans loved it, and the unique podium setup – where drivers run through the fans to celebrate – works amazingly well. Formula E is in a tantalizing place right now. Potentially, it’s huge – and the many manufacturers who view electrification as the future of the automotive industry are flocking to it. Yet, organisationally, it costs a fortune to stage – all without the self-perpetuating commercial footing that F1 takes for granted. And that fluctuating calendar doesn’t help – although having rounds in Hong Kong, Paris and New York certainly does! Its mainstream popularity isn’t quite there yet, as race fans are torn between harking after racing’s noisy past and this it’s-oh-so-quiet future. With the FIA stating this week that the F1 engines of 2021 will remain high power, but cheaper and with better sound, it sounds like F1 is perhaps moving away from its recent turbo-hybrid ‘economy drive’. Is that the future distinction? FE is the road-relevant showcase, as we evolve to an electrified future, while F1 loses its focus on satisfying its manufacturers quite so much to ensure that pure sporting spectacle? That looks a win-win to me. And, don’t forget, you can help have your say on F1’s future development right here: [f1survey.motorsport.com]( – the sport is listening right now. – Charles Bradley, Editor in Chief [Di Grassi went from "hell to heaven" with Mexico win]( Mexico City ePrix race highlights [F1 agrees plan for cheaper and noisier engines]( [Analysis: Are sponsors back in love with F1?]( [F1 is "authentic" again, says Wurz]( Copyright © 2017 Motorsport.com, Inc., All rights reserved. Top news of the week Our mailing address is: Motorsport.com, Inc. 4100 NE 2nd Avenue Miami, FL 33137 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](