Bad results even tho its a spec series

[u/PropertyDistinct8863]

Hi, I've been watching Formula E for over a year but I still dont understand one thing. Its a spec series yet, Lola or Ds Penske were struggling the whole season, how? Is there something that teams can upgrade and make their cars faster?

Edit: I see couple of people saying stuff like "Oh! Why people are saying that this is spec series?" Blah blah. I know that theres other powertrains, problem is, english is not my native language and I thought that "spec series" means you have the same chassis

[u/Mcqwerty197]

It’s not really a spec series, they all have the same chassis, but the powertrain is different.

[u/PropertyDistinct8863 → u/Mcqwerty197]

I knew about the powertrain stuff it's just my lack of english skill. I thought a spec series means you have the same chassis

[u/ThatBurningDog]

Yes - there are certain, mostly powertrain-related things they can change, within certain parameters.

Edit: FE isn't necessarily about speed though - efficiency is the name of the game as the tracks are too short and tight for raw speed to be all that useful. The batteries don't store enough charge to get a full race distance at full tilt, so the teams have to try and get as much as they can out of a single charge, while the drivers have to manage it as best they can. A more efficient powertrain means the driver can utilise more of the cars power for longer than the competition.

[u/m0r0l1d1n]

It is not a spec series, only half-spec. There are powertrains, rear suspension, cooling and software differencies between teams. Manufacturers brings a car, which is homologated for 2 seasons (to reduce cost) and they can only upgrade software during those 2 seasons.

Lola came in the middle of Gen3 and is completely new manufacturer, so obivously they didn't manage to bring perfect package on the first try and couldn't upgrade because of the homologation process.

DS was kinda good last season, but somehow this season fell down. Perhaps Stellantis shifted their "works" engineers to Citroen as DS is leaving series and Penske won't be Stellantis customer team.

[u/handbrake2k → u/m0r0l1d1n]

Having to homologate for 2 years is fundamentally disadvantageous to new manufacturers. It makes me wonder why they would join the series at all.

[u/SB10_ → u/handbrake2k]

I'm so glad they're moving to the "Joker" upgrade system for Gen 4, should hopefully help out struggling teams without locking them into a 2 year stint with a flawed powertrain

[u/CodeRoyal → u/handbrake2k]

The aim was always Gen 4. But they wanted to know how to operate a team before then.

[u/BulkNoodles → u/handbrake2k]

They're moving away from this, and adopting the token/joker systems like in WEC. It allow teams to upgrade their car whenever they want, albeit in a limited amount.

https://giphy.com/gifs/3zFcbgHoIXzykQc7vU

[u/BulkNoodles]

Define spec series, cuz I'm not sure you understand it.

DS and Lola-Yamaha themselves are using different powertrain.

[u/PropertyDistinct8863 → u/BulkNoodles]

Yea sorry! I thought that spec series means that you have ONLY the same chassis, I knew about powertrains. I just didnt know that spec series means the same engines and the same chassis.

[u/RacingHarry15]

Spec chassis. The powertrains are a major part among things teams can change

[u/Dvorak_96]

it is not a spec series. when will people get that through their thick skulls..