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Esteban Gutiérrez will make his Formula E debut in front of his home fans at this weekend's Mexico City ePrix. Techeetah confirmed earlier this month that the former-F1 driver will replace Ma Qing Hua for the rest of the season. Ma failed to make much of an impact in the series, failing to pick up any points over seven races. His best result came in London last year, when he finished eleventh. Gutiérrez raced for Haas until he was replaced by Kevin Magnussen in November last year. The Mexican has had limited experience behind the wheel of the electric car, with his first drive at a demonstration event in Mexico City last week. Road circuit This will be the second ePrix to take place around the Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome. The Formula E circuit is based around the oval track, but follows the grand prix layout within these confines. This includes a number of corners that wind through the baseball stadium and give fans in the grandstands a fantastic view of t...

A new single-seater electric car that aims to become a support series to Formula E or Electric GT has been unveiled this week. Based on a modified Formula 3 car, the new racer is still at the prototype stage, but has already had a shakedown session at the Zolder circuit in Belgium. The design of the "Formulino E" currently features a 15kWh battery, which would provide far less range than a Formula E car, even at lower speeds. However, there is potential to allow rapid battery swapping, which could allow a single car to complete the full race distance. It's also about a third lighter, at around 550kg (without the driver). The car's top speed is in excess of 190km/h. The chassis is provided by Italian supplier Dallara, and with the powertrain developed by the Belgium-based company, Punch. The project has been developed to date without the involvement of the FIA or Formula E. However, as electric motorsport continues to grow, Formulino's backers believe there w...

Sébastien Buemi secured his third win in three races with victory at the Buenos Aires ePrix. Starting from third on the grid, the Renault e-Dams driver now has a commanding lead in the drivers' championship. The Puerto Madero street circuit is a favourite amongst the drivers because it provides excellent overtaking opportunities as well as high-speed racing. Once out in front, this was of little consequence to Buemi, but it provided good entertainment throughout the rest of the field. A clean start for everyone initially saw pole-sitter Lucas di Grassi open a lead of several car-lengths. But Adam Carroll was forced to stop on the start/finish straight, resulting in a full course yellow. This prevented di Grassi from increasing his lead while he had the advantage, and shortly after racing resumed he was overtaken by both Jean-Eric Vergne and Buemi within half a lap. On paper, there's little to separate Vergne and Buemi's cars, and throughout the race it was clear that...

A slippery qualifying session for the Buenos Aires, beset with accidents and delays, saw Lucas di Grassi claim his first-ever Formula E pole. Sam Bird was first out of the blocks, but it was a frustrating lap for the DS Virgin driver. He struggled to keep the rear of the car in check, and clipping the wall took it's toll on his lap time. Robin Frijns took a typically aggressive approach to the session, but could only set the third-fastest time. Provisional pole went to Mitch Evans, who set the fastest time thanks to a competent lap from the New Zealander. Evans was unlikely to hold on to pole for long, especially with a highly competitive second qualifying group featuring Buemi, di Grassi and Vergne. Buemi also complained that there was very little grip in the car, but briefly set the fastest time. Jean-Eric Vergne, who we know has a fast car underneath him, quickly replaced him at the top of the timing screens. Local boy Lopez was first to try and set a time in the third gro...

Formula E racing returns this Saturday after a mammoth 14-week break. Round three of the third season will take place around the Puerto Madero street circuit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It will become the first track to have hosted three ePrix. A revised FanBoost system is in place from this round. The voting window has been reduced to one week, and Instagram posts no longer count towards a driver's total. Current championship leader Sébastien Buemi has taken the chequered flag in this season's opening two races, but has yet to win in Buenos Aires. In last year's race, he battled with Sam Bird over the final few laps, but couldn't catch the British driver in time. Buemi will hope the third time's the charm, and continue his 100% record. But his (and Renault's) dominance could be challenged by any number of the other drivers. We've still to really see how well the other teams have developed their cars since last season and during the mid-season break....

How the final stages of the current Formula E calendar will look is still unclear, after a series of interventions from local politicians in the planned host cities. The "traditional" season closer in London's Battersea Park was scrapped last summer after complaints from a local residents group. They successfully lobbied councillors to cancel the event citing concerns about the removal of green space in favour of tarmac, despite Formula E paying for new roads and other improvements to the park. Several rounds marked as "to be confirmed" on the initial schedule never came to fruition, leaving a massive 12-week gap between November's Marrakesh ePrix and the next round in Buenos Aires on 18 February. Politics Late last month, it was revealed that the location of the Berlin ePrix would have to change after local politicians objected. It looks likely to return to the Templehof airfield track used in season one, rather than the inner-city street circuit ...

Felipe Massa will test-drive a Formula E car next week for Jaguar, at the request of Formula E management. The Brazilian driver announced his retirement from Formula 1 racing at the end of last season, and expressed an interest in joining a Formula E team. However, Williams offered him the seat vacated by Valtteri Bottas' move to Mercedes. Massa will take part in testing for the British-based team at an undisclosed location in the coming days. At the end of February he will travel to Barcelona for F1 testing. His involvement will be a welcome boost for organisers of the all-electric series. Increasing uncertainty over venues and the viability of several races this season has become apparent during the winter break, so news of the tie-up will help bolster their profile around the negotiating table. Williams Advanced Engineering have a technical alliance with Panasonic Jaguar Racing, as well as with the championship more widely through its contract to supply the cars' ...

The third season of the Formula E championship is currently taking an early mid-season break, and fans are looking forward to racing resuming next month. When it does, 2017 looks set to provide plenty of excitement and action, with the potential for a thrilling championship battle. Here's why now is the perfect time to start paying close attention to the all-electric race series... The rivalries Although the series is only a couple of years old, there are already some fantastic rivalries between the drivers. Top of the list are last year's title contenders, Lucas di Grassi and Sébastien Buemi. Tensions had been building between the two throughout the season, culminating in a first-corner crash in the final race. There's no love lost between them, apparent from incidents away from the track , too... Elsewhere in the field, there are plenty of drivers who have a point to prove, including season 1 champion Nelson Piquet Jr, and the fiercely-competitive Jean-Éric Vergne....

Sébastien Buemi made it two wins from two races after taking the chequered flag in Marrakesh. The Renault driver is quickly establishing himself as the man to beat, in a field of many challengers, and once again demonstrated just how formidable a combination he and his car can be. Most of the race was led by pole-sitter Felix Rosenqvist until he was eventually overtaken by Buemi in the closing stages. A fantastic qualifying performance from the rookie, competing in only his second ePrix, was followed by an extremely competent performance in the race. With a great start from the line, he quickly built up a commanding lead over Sam Bird. The gap allowed him to drive his own race, but by choosing to push hard early-on and run the shorter stint of the race first, he was unable to put up any defence in the last few laps. Buemi, demoted five places from his qualifying position due to a defective fire extinguisher, quickly put pressure on the drivers ahead of him. A b...

Jean-Éric Vergne sat waiting at the pit lane exit, primed and ready to set a Super Pole session time that could see him start the first ever African ePrix from first on the grid. Next to him, a timer began counting down. He watched every single number, from 30 to zero. Then two red lights illuminated and his session was over. Initially, it looked as though there may have been a problem with the car but, in fact, a “procedural error” (i.e. a disastrous mix-up in the garage) was to blame. Techeetah have been plagued by technical problems already this season -- avoidable blunders like this will do nothing to reassure Vergne that they could still be title contenders. His frustration will also be fuelled by the fact that he set the quickest time in the regular qualifying sessions, with a masterful drive free from errors and showing great promise for the race. He will now start from fifth; by no means a disaster, but costly. Felix Rosenqvist will be the man to start ...

After a lengthy break, Formula E returns next Saturday with the second race of season three. The Marrakesh ePrix will be the first to be held in Africa, and the last race for a staggering 98 days – the same length of time that separated the end of season two and the opening round in Hong Kong. The scheduling issues don't end there for the series. It was confirmed this week that the WEC will not be moving their Nürburgring race weekend, so it will clash with the New York ePrix double-header. Sébastien Buemi has already confirmed that he is contractually obligated to give the WEC precedence, so he will be unable to race in America. It's likely, but not yet confirmed, that other drivers will find themselves in the same position. In Marrakesh next week, there will be  another clash , with the race taking place at the same time as qualifying for the Formula 1 Brazilian grand prix. On the track, there are several teams who will feel they have something to prove...

The next round of the 2016/17 Formula E championship season will take place around the Moulay El Hassan circuit in Marrakesh. The race on November 12 will be the first time the series has visited Africa, and has been scheduled to coincide with the international climate change conference, COP22 . The track, which has recently been remodeled, hosted two races in the  World Touring Car Championship earlier this year. It runs along public streets for much of its length, before entering a section of purpose-built track around the old paddock. At almost 3km (1.8 miles), it is also significantly longer than the likes of Paris, London and Hong Kong. Indeed, it is currently the longest track on the calendar, so drivers will need to think carefully when planning race strategies. Sébastien Buemi tops the drivers' standings after the opening race in Hong Kong.

Sébastien Buemi took the first race victory of the new Formula E season in Hong Kong. In a breathless race that saw virtually every driver suffer from a crash or a technical issue, championship rival Lucas di Grassi finished second. But the results don't tell the full story, which saw the lead change hands several times, and high drama throughout the field. Following an unusual qualifying session, Nelson Piquet Jr started on pole, flanked by his NextEV team-mate, Oliver Turvey. The front of the field made it through the start safely, but behind them the concertina-effect at the second corner saw Ma Qing Hua, António Félix da Costa, Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi (who started on the back row) all sustaining damage to their cars and forcing early pit-stops. Fortunately for di Grassi, a front wing swap was all that was required, and he was able to quickly rejoin the race. Away from the drama, Piquet was able to build up a comfortable lead in the...

The decision by race directors to change the kerbs on the Harbourfront circuit's chicane – but without informing any of the drivers – was the story that dominated a bizarre qualifying session in Hong Kong. The reason for an unannounced five-minute delay to the start of the session suddenly became clear to drivers in the first qualifying group when they realised a secondary kerb – which most drivers were using as a marker for their racing line – had been removed. The result was that anyone who missed the line would be catapulted into the barriers. Initially, the change resulted in far slower times than would have been expected after the free practice sessions. However, in the second qualifying group, di Grassi and Ma took damage when their cars went airborne and into the barriers, only to be followed by Frinjs in group three. Ma escaped with only minor damage, but the other two shunts caused their sessions to be red-flagged. Frinj's Andretti car came off wors...

The Formula E season gets underway on Sunday with the inaugural Hong Kong ePrix. New to to the calendar, all track records will be up for grabs this weekend. In today's "shakedown" session, Techeetah's Ma Qing Hua set the fastest time, but it won't be until the completion of the practice sessions first-thing tomorrow that a true picture of the teams' standings becomes clear. One thing that is certain is that the harbour-front circuit is tight, narrow and challenging. There are two hairpin bends that will be tricky to manoeuvre, particularly in the opening laps when the 20-strong field will be tightly bunched up. The long, sweeping straight that immediately follows turn 1 will show us very quickly which cars have the best straight-line speed, whilst sector 2 will play into the hands of those teams with better cornering. What to look out for Formula E drivers need to swap cars at the mid-point of the race. In previous seasons, this usually comes after e...

Mercedes-Benz Motorsport  signed an agreement this week that gives the German manufacturer an option to enter a Formula E team in season 5 (2018/19). The team are the incumbent Formula 1 champions, and their interest in electric racing has been seen as a huge vote of confidence in the series. "Racing has always been a technology R&D platform for the motor industry, and this will make Formula E very relevant in the future” , said Toto Wolff, executive director of Mercedes' F1 team. This line of thinking is clearly shared by many of the major car manufacturers, as evidenced by the involvement of Renualt, Audi and BMW. Both on and off the racetrack, electric and hybrid-electric engines are becoming mainstream technology, and the pace of development has been blistering. Which brings us to 2018... Why are all eyes on Formula E season 5? BMW and now Mercedes have (all but) confirmed that they will enter Formula E teams in the 2018/19 season. Several ...

The third season of Formula E gets underway on Sunday in Hong Kong. Here's a look at the runners and riders for the 2016/17 championship.

News in brief from a busy 48 hours for the all-electric series: ➤ Earlier this week, Formula E chief executive Alejando Agag revealed that cities are now being asked to make a financial contribution towards running costs if they want to host an ePrix. "We could go to 300 cities in the world. Everyone would welcome us." But, he added, "If you want to race, you have to pay for it". The first indications that the message is being received loud-and-clear surfaced today, following a meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council. The season three calendar has been approved by the sport's governing body, but with just 12 rounds instead of the anticipated 14. Two placeholder slots, including one at the start of the European leg that many assumed would be a re-located London race, have been removed altogether. ➤ How the season will end has also changed. Race weekends for Montreal and New York have been switched, meaning Canada will now host the final double-...

An announcement is expected on Wednesday that the BBC is to take over funding for Welsh-language channel S4C. BBC News The BBC licence fee is to be frozen at the current level of £145.50 for the next six years, a 16% cut in real terms... Among the extra commitments the BBC has signed up to are to fund the World Service and Welsh-language broadcaster S4C out of the licence fee from 2015. The Guardian Background The UK's new Government is carrying out one of the most significant "funding review" in modern times. Faced with debts that are projected to run into the hundreds of billions b the end of their first term (2014-15), it is cutting budgets left, right and centre to reduce our national dependence on money we simply don't have. Areas seen as politically-sensitive -- hospitals and schools specifically -- have been ring-fenced, but the scope of the Government's cuts should not be underestimated: the armed forces, prison service, and justice system all face...

Election 2010 I have absolutely no right to tell you what to do. I have no right to tell you what to think. I certainly have no right to tell you what to believe . Nothing – not the place where you were born, or to whom; nor where you live and what colour your skin is (or your eyes are); not whether you are a man or a woman, an atheist or a Christian (or a Buddhist or a Nazi) nor whether you prefer coffee to tea or stripes to spots – nothing on this Earth gives me the right to force my own personal views onto anyone else. Which is why I beg this of you: please, please, please , if you are eligible to vote in Thursday's General Election, go and vote . The decision you make will be yours , your voice will be heard, and it will make a difference. Sadly, previous elections have been dominated by the phrase "it won't make a difference". Well this time around, things are different. Never before have our ballot papers been so important. Never before has the power ...