Automotive

Lucas Di Grassi rips all-electric donuts on an ice cap for Formula E

Lucas Di Grassi rips all-electric donuts on an ice cap for Formula E
The Greenland ice cap makes a spectacular backdrop
The Greenland ice cap makes a spectacular backdrop 
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Lucas Di Grassi and Alejandro Agag on the ice cap
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Lucas Di Grassi and Alejandro Agag on the ice cap
The Formula E car on its temporary racetrack
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The Formula E car on its temporary racetrack 
Putting a car onto an ice cap is no small feat
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Putting a car onto an ice cap is no small feat
Heads up!
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Heads up! 
The Formula E series is completely battery powered
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The Formula E series is completely battery powered 
Lucas Di Grassi mounts up and gets ready to go sideways for science
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Lucas Di Grassi mounts up and gets ready to go sideways for science
The Formula E car slides sideways on an ice cap
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The Formula E car slides sideways on an ice cap
The Formula E car slides sideways on an ice cap
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The Formula E car slides sideways on an ice cap
The Formula E car slides sideways on an ice cap
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The Formula E car slides sideways on an ice cap
Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap
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Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap
Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap
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Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap
Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap
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Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap
Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap
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Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap
Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap
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Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap
We're not sure about the environmental cost of running a chopper to Greenland
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We're not sure about the environmental cost of running a chopper to Greenland
Taking a moment to admire the scenery in Greenland
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Taking a moment to admire the scenery in Greenland
The Greenland ice cap makes a spectacular backdrop
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The Greenland ice cap makes a spectacular backdrop 
The Formula E car sits, ready to slide sideways on the ice cap
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The Formula E car sits, ready to slide sideways on the ice cap
The ice cap chosen for Formula E's stunt
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The ice cap chosen for Formula E's stunt
Getting the car onto the ice cap wasn't easy
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Getting the car onto the ice cap wasn't easy
Formula E kicks off in November
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Formula E kicks off in November 
The Formula E car gets up to speed on the ice cap
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The Formula E car gets up to speed on the ice cap 
Di Grassi got sideways on an ice cap
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Di Grassi got sideways on an ice cap
Getting the car ready for its icy stunt
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Getting the car ready for its icy stunt 
View gallery - 24 images

To drum up a bit of excitement ahead of the 2016/2017 Formula E season opener in Marrakesh, the burgeoning series dropped Lucas Di Grassi onto an arctic ice cap in Greenland, where he duly proceeded to rip some all-electric donuts on camera.

Although it's a surefire way to get people talking about Formula E, CEO Alejandro Agag is adamant the stunt was designed to draw attention to more than just his fairly youthful racing series. Instead, he says it's more evidence of Formula E's environmental commitment, drawing attention to the damaging effects of climate change.

It's a noble goal, but we're not sure shipping a car to Greenland was the best way to achieve it. Sure, Di Grassi didn't emit any local emissions during his donut display, but the environmental cost of shipping cars, people and cameras to the Arctic Circle is massive. That's not to mention the emissions involved in manufacturing, or the impact of charging electric cars using coal-fired power stations.

Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap
Lucas Di Grassi pulled some all-electric donuts on the ice cap

Rather than focusing on the obvious problems with the stunt, let's just stick in the wow, that's cool category, right next to the memory of Max Verstappen drifting a Red Bull RB7 in Kitzbühel.

Along with a brief teaser video below, a full-length documentary about the stunt will be released on November 13 this year.

Source: Formula E

World First! Formula E Car Visits Arctic Ice Cap #ProjectIce

View gallery - 24 images
4 comments
4 comments
Future3000
After all restrictions in Formula 1, I had a lot of hope new Formula E would make the technological progress... but it's the same restricted bullshit like F1: Power of electric motors and capacity of battery are RESTRICTED! 20 minutes race...! Progress will lamed for years! Make ONE standard chassis, minimum weight 550 kg... then let the engineers play! In one year we could have "Tesla S" with 1.000 hp and 5.000 km range (if we want)! But so... waste of time and money over all! (By the way I was an F1 engineer for many seasons, I know my sh...!)
Dan Parker
Seems like a lot of effort and expense for a rather boring publicity stunt.
ljaques
Yet another venue for the Alarmists to spew about AGWK. <sigh> At least it's for a good cause this time: electric vehicles. 75% of people could use them most of the time if the EVs were more affordable and had better range. I was a handyman and bought a large pickup, Toyota Tundra. At that time, they didn't have a hybrid. AFAIK, they still don't have an EV Tundra. I would have bought a hybrid and the 4 cylinder engine, combined with the 5 or 6 speed auto trans would have been more than enough for my hauling needs.
That looks like a rough track, Al. And I'm with Future3000 in wanting the engineers at F1 (and everywhere) to play more with batteries and let us shift into more electrics. EVs are fun and very quiet. What's not to like?
Rocky Stefano
@Future3000. Couldn't agree with you more. I stopped watching F1 after they dropped the V8. If I wanted to see lawn mowers racing I'd watch my kids here at home.