Formula E launches, complete with social media ‘Fanboost’ feature

July 1, 2014 Tom Kelk

Guest Post: Tom Kelk is a tech/sport blogger and Senior Social Exec at communications agency, Pitch. You can find him on Twitter (@TomKelk)

Formula E? Ring any bells? Well it will do – very soon. The Formula Electric series sparks off in Beijing in September and takes off around the world to destinations including Long Beach, LA, Punta del Esta and it finishes in Battersea Park, London.

It features global brands such a Virgin Racing, Audi, Amlin and more. Drivers like Jaime Alguersuari, Sam Bird, Bruno Senna and Lucas De Grassi are all taking part.

There’s much to be excited about the series – it’s street racing, it’s cutting-edge technology and it’s largely a step into the unknown. For us social media and digital geeks though, Formula E has opened something very exciting today and its called ‘Fanboost’.

During a Formula E race, each driver will get three ‘boosts’ that increase the power output of the car from 133kw to 200kw – certainly enough for an overtake. But here’s where it gets interesting. Fans can vote online for their favourite drivers, and the three drivers with the most votes receive one further 2.5 second boost. This means that fans can have a direct influence on the outcome of a race, which is hugely forward-thinking.

History is made. Virgin Racing emerge onto the track for a shakedown. https://t.co/UhOSy9zSqg

— DS Virgin Racing (@DSVirginRacing) June 4, 2014

So how do users vote? Fans can vote at http://fanboost.fiaformulae.com from today as well as the Official Formula E Facebook, Twitter and SinaWeibo pages and via the official Formula E app, which launches on September 1.The three winners will be announced just 20 minutes before the start of the race.

Exciting concept and one that is sure to help the series take off! What do you think of the idea?

(*Disclosure: Tom works at Pitch Communications who work with Virgin Racing FE on the Formula E series.)

Virgin Racing and #FormulaE drivers through the streets of #London. Enjoy! https://t.co/SisIXmRayX

— DS Virgin Racing (@DSVirginRacing) June 30, 2014

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Tom Kelk 25 posts

Tom Kelk is a tech/sport blogger and Account Manager at communications agency, Pitch. You can find him on Twitter (@TomKelk), LinkedIn and his blog (tomkelk.blogspot.com)