Champagne Showers at the ePrix Race
This weekend ePrix racing took to the streets of Paris, with a track speeding around Les Invalides and tickets quickly sold out weeks before the race. Anne Hildago, the Mayor of Paris, told Formula E that the event was "a very nice way to promote electric moibility to a massive audience, which is a priority for Paris." I was in luck as part of the track faced my apartment window. Despite my insomnia due to the construction happening 24/7 in the days preceding the event, the view I had of the track was well worth it.
Saturday morning, I was rudely awoken by racers starting their practice runs at 8 AM. I also learned the VIP section just was outside my street, where I would not be allowed without a VIP pass. As I ran back down my stairs with my ID and my apartment contract to prove I lived on the street, I quickly realized I was standing next to fashion queen Carine Roitfeld, former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris. Security was questioning her as well, as I was busy sneaking friends past the security guards. Some of the VIP's casually walking through the streets near Les Invalides included Prince Albert of Monaco, the French Prime Minister, the Mayor of 7th arrondissement, and many more. Music blasted outside, signaling that the event was ready to begin. You could hear on the speakers the announcement of the flags being waved for the cars to take off.
My friends dangled outside my window, drinking wine and eagerly watching the cars hit the corner of the track. If we looked away for one minute they were already back around the track. In the middle of the race we heard a loud BOOM, as a car hit the corner causing the other cars behind it to slam into each other. The flags were waved and the rest of the racers slowed down, just enough time for a wine refill. Two of the racers weren't able to finish the race, but it continued without them. Finishing with 11 rounds, the winner was Brazilian driver, Lucas di Grassi, followed by French driver, Jean- Eric Vergne, and third place was Swiss driver, Sebastien Buemi. Winner Lucas di Grassi said in an interview with CNN: "The concept of Formula E is to promote electric, environmentally friendly technology." It was an amazing turnout for Formula E with 20,000 fans who watched electric cars take over the streets of Paris. It was a great event for Paris to promote environmental friendliness, particularly following the announcement of monthly car-free days in central Paris.
