Multiple Formula E drivers fear season-opener cancellation

Several Formula E drivers have raised concerns that Formula E's season-opening São Paulo E-Prix could be unable to take place, should the circuit be struck by wet weather. 

Heavy rain is forecast at times across this weekend's first round of the eleventh FE campaign, taking place at the Anhembi Sambadrome on Saturday.

The concern surrounding the wet weather has nothing to do with the brand-new Gen3 EVO; instead, the worry is about Hankook's new softer tyres for Season 11. 

Whilst the softer compound will result in significantly better grip in the dry, multiple drivers revealed to RacingNews365 that it is near undriveable in the wet. 

"From my experience, driving with these new tyres in the wet has been a real, I would say, a bit of a shock," Mitch Evans told RacingNews365. "Yes, the tyre is quicker in the dry, but in the wet it's a huge, huge contrast. 

"I think if it's really like a lot of rain, I doubt we will be able to even race. I've driven this tyre in damp conditions, also very wet. And, yeah, it's definitely more of a dry tyre than a wet tyre, I would say, at the moment. 

"The surface here down the main straight it's not really tarmac, it's something random. It doesn't really drain, I think we will play it by ear. 

"I hope it is dry, because I think it's going to be really challenging in the wet. But obviously, as we know, it's one thing we can't control. But if it is wet, all of us are going to have our work cut out big time."

The first huge shower hit the circuit on Thursday evening, with water having quickly built up on the circuit in places. 

Why the new tyres are such an issue in the wet, is something Evans does not quite have a answer for yet.

"I guess it's just the compound they've gone for," guessed Evans. "Normally, a softer compound should be better in the wet, but it seems as soon as the tyre sees any bit of moisture, it doesn't react well with it. 

"But in the dry it's definitely gone more grippy than the old tyre. I don't know, it's one for Hankook to answer, but yeah, I wasn't expecting that when I first drove in the wet."

Surface adds to wet problems

Evans was not the only driver to raise concerns over racing in the wet on the new tyres.

Evans' team-mate, Nick Cassidy, spoke in similar fashion and added that the surface at the São Paulo circuit is a big issue in the wet.

When asked if a race could take place in the wet on Saturday, Cassidy told RacingNews365: "I don't think so.

"I don't think with this surface we will be able to drive. So it'll be an interesting situation. I think if that happens, I don't know how aware of that everyone is, but let's see."

Whilst Hankook's new tyres are not ideal for the wet, it is the start/finish straight in São Paulo which increases the issue of wet weather.

"Probably here what makes it tough is this whole front straight into Turn 1," Cassidy began explaining.

"It's a very smooth type of tarmac, almost like paint, very slippery. And I think that's probably the main thing about this location.

"Other tracks, you might be able to get away with a bit of moisture, or change in temperature or whatever."

McLaren's Sam Bird was another driver to raise concerns of running in the wet this weekend, because of the combination of the bizarre surface and Hankook's new tyres.

"I think with the new tyre that we've got for this year, most of the drivers are hoping that it stays dry," Bird told RacingNews365.

"The new track, the new tyre compound and structure for this year means that when it rains, it's very, very tricky.

"I mean, it was tricky before, but now, yeah, even more so. So I'm hoping that we get mostly dry weather."

RacingNews365 has approached Hankook for comment.