With the Formula E 2021 season now underway, attention turns back to the championship’s virtual sibling in the form of the ‘Accelerate’ series. Three rounds into the inaugural running of the rFactor 2-based season, there have been plenty of stories to cover.
Jajovski vs. Siggy for Drivers’ glory?
After Hong Kong and New York, the betting man would have placed his house on Macedonia’s Erhan Jajovski storming to the star prize for winning Accelerate’s first running. Two pole positions followed up by two relatively comfortable victories was no mean feat in a grid packed to the brim with talent.
Kevin ‘Siggy’ Rebernak finally improved his consistency into a winning formula come Berlin however and with Jajovski suffering a nightmare qualifying session, it suggested that mistakes could start to creep into his seemingly unstoppable evening performances.
The Riyadh Street Circuit in Ad Diriyah that plays host to tomorrow’s Formula E: Accelerate round is a rather unique venue, with ‘the bobsled run’ a particular element of the track that requires high concentration levels to gain time.
What plays into Siggy’s favour somewhat is that he carries the momentum from Round 3. What plays against him is that his personal schedule of events now matches the load that Jajovski took on himself. It might yet mean that both drivers could find themselves playing catch up to the likes of Frederik Rasmussen, who has been building up his form following a so-so outing in Hong Kong.
With the Grand Final later this month offering double points, it’s most likely that this battle will go down to that final event and the early signs suggest that Round 4 could yet see another twist in the tale.
BMW i Andretti in prime position for the Teams’ title?
At this point in the preview, we’ve only really touched upon three drivers. As we turn our attention to the Teams’ picture, however, we must bring into focus Petar Brljak. Down in 5th some 47 points behind Jajovski in the standings, unless he puts together a miracle run he’s likely not going to be on top by the end of the month.
His team might very well be, however.
Berlin was significant for the Croatian as, albeit with a huge slice of tactical fortune, he claimed his first podium of the season. This massive double points score for BMW i Andretti rocketed them past original leaders RoKit Venturi to lead the charge by 12 points. Jajovski had been bearing the torch alone for his outfit with Austrian teammate Lorenz Hörzing not bringing in a single point to the cause.
In such tightly contested races, the points spread in the midfield tends to be rather volatile in nature. Thus, to get two cars onto the podium was a monumental achievement for the German manufacturer and if Brljak can continue to perform as the convincing support act, Venturi won’t be climbing back to the peak.
Real-world drivers set for action
During the Formula E: Accelerate show tomorrow the studio section will feature Mercedes-EQ Team Principal Ian James and drivers Romain Grosjean and Jade Edwards.
You will also get to watch a race featuring 12 real-world Formula E drivers. Those taking to the virtual grid include the winners at the recent Diriyah season-opener, Nyck de Vries (Mercedes-EQ) and Sam Bird (Jaguar Racing). Will the virtual race be just as eventful as the real-world races? Tune in to find out.
WATCH Round 4 of Formula E: Accelerate live on Traxion
All that is left now is to sit back and watch the racing action as Formula E: Accelerate returns tomorrow! You can catch all of the action live with us on the Traxion YouTube and Twitch channels from 19:00 GMT / 20:00 CET / 14:00 EST / 11:00 PST.
