Back at the track for Rounds 4 and 5 of the 2021/22 Formula E World Championship at the Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR in Rome

• Ian James: “Rome was a happy hunting ground for the team, and Stoffel in particular, last year. We will be carrying positive momentum and energy to the double-header in Italy from that, but also from the learnings so far this season.”
• Stoffel Vandoorne: “Rome is one of my favourite circuits. I just love driving there. The circuit offers one of the best compromises this season in terms of energy management and has lots of different track surfaces.”
• Nyck de Vries: “I’m very pleased to be back racing with the Rome E-Prix. We had a competitive package the last time we were in Rome, and hopefully, we can build on that again this year.”
• Further information, statistics and facts about the upcoming E-Prix can be found in the Race Facts on our media site

The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team is set to return to the racetrack for this weekend’s Rome E-Prix after an eight-week break. The third race weekend of the 2021/22 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is scheduled to take place at Rome’s Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR, 8-10 April. The 3.380 km street circuit is one of the longest on the race calendar of the all‑electric series.

Season 8 will mark the fourth running of the Rome E‑Prix, with the Italian capital having been the backdrop before in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Stoffel Vandoorne won Race 2 on Sunday last year, taking his second Formula E victory.

The circuit features the same 19 corners as the configuration introduced in Season 7, but the start line has been altered. Racing started between Turns 6 and 7 in 2021, but pole position will be between Turns 3 and 4 this season, leading to an increase in length of some 2.806 km between the start and finish line which remains in the same place. The activation zone for Attack Mode is on the outside of Turn 15.

This year’s Rome E-Prix will be a double header again with one round on Saturday and another on Sunday. The weekend’s racing will kick off with a 15-minute shakedown session on Friday afternoon. Two free practice sessions are scheduled for Saturday followed by Q1 and then Race 1 (start: 14:04 BST). There will be only one practice session on Sunday to be followed by Q2 and the second race (start: 14:04 BST).

Comments ahead of the Rome E-Prix 2022

Nyck de Vries:

“We’ve had quite a long break since the last round in Mexico, but I’m very pleased to be back racing with the Rome E-Prix. I’ve had plenty to do since the last race weekend and have managed to maintain a good rhythm. However, since it’s been so long, it’s about time now that we went racing again in order to continue the season. We had a competitive package the last time we were in Rome, and hopefully, we can build on that again this year. At any rate, I’m real excited at the thought of going racing again.”

Stoffel Vandoorne:

“I’m really looking forward to getting back out on the track this weekend. It’s been a long break since the last race in Mexico, but now the season is going to get properly underway with not just Rome but also with a number of other races over the coming weeks. Rome is one of my favourite circuits. I just love driving there. The circuit offers one of the best compromises this season in terms of energy management and has lots of different track surfaces. Driving there feels like a real challenge, and I’m very much looking forward to that. I have some good memories of the Rome E‑Prix. I was on pole for one of the races last year and was able to win one of the two rounds. We’ve got a competitive package once more this year, and I think that we’ll be in a similar position again.”

Ian James, Team Principal:

“We are finally on the road again to the next round of the championship. We’ve had a break from racing that was – if you would ask me – slightly too long! A break in the calendar doesn’t mean that we have been sitting still as a team though. Although Rounds 2 and 3 weren’t quite as fruitful as our very first race of the season, we have learnt a lot from these events – and have been working hard to ensure that we can use the information gained to refine our approach going forwards this season.

Rome was a happy hunting ground for the team, and Stoffel in particular, last year. We will be carrying positive momentum and energy to the double-header in Italy from that, but also from the learnings I mentioned earlier. It is a double opportunity for the team to show what we are capable of and that we know how to deliver that; by applying our experiences and expertise as a team. I can’t wait to hit the track again this weekend!”

Where to watch

Don’t miss any of the action this weekend, and follow the team on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Or, head here to find out how to watch all sessions live in your region.