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Ice Drive – the feature-length documentary of the FIA Formula E car running on the Greenland ice cap – was premiered to a standing ovation in Marrakesh today.
Ahead of season three of the all-electric city racing series, an ambitious project was undertaken to run the car on an iceberg off the coast of Greenland. The aim was to create a stunning visual link between the threat of global warming and the impact electric cars can have on reducing CO2 emissions.
Ice Drive captures the planning, preparation and execution of staging a world first - running a competitive racing car on the ice cap - but also the serious jeopardy the project was placed in by the very real impact that global warming is having on the Arctic climate.
Held in the EMOTION Club VIP hospitality lounge at the Moulay El Hassan circuit, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco was the star guest in a select audience, which also included FIA President Jean Todt, FIA Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag, and representatives of all the partners who made Ice Drive possible: Visa, Julius Baer, DHL, GH Mumm and Schaeffler.
Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, said:"To be there in the Arctic and see it with my own eyes, and now put together in this unique documentary on the big screen was a special moment. It's incredible to see a car become an ambassador in the fight against global warming."
Jean Todt, President of the FIA, said: "First of all to make it happen and all the people involved - it was a very strong message. Racing is a laboratory for society, climate change and for many road users across the globe - the documentary was a refreshing adventure."
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, said: "It's a wonderful partnership to be associated with Formula E and to see a Formula E car in that environment was spectacular. These beautiful images show you and highlight the difficulties we are facing - the faster we are able to find solutions for cleaner energy and mobility the quicker we can move to a greener economy."
Lucas di Grassi, who drove the car on the ice said: "First of all I have to thank Alejandro for the opportunity and our partners for the invitation, although I don’t know if I should be thanking them! It was an incredible experience to go there and be able to drive the car in such a wild environment. For me it was just as an important message in supporting Alejandro and the Formula E project since the very beginning. As a racing driver I started my career with a combustion cars and I switched to hybrid, now I’m racing fully-electric. So even in my generation as a professional driver I’ve seen these changes. To use motorsport which I love, to showcase and promote such a good message is what it’s all about - I’m very happy to be a part of this project."
Mahindra Racing driver Felix Rosenqvist said: "It made you think a bit more when you saw the pictures of the car go around the icecap, it gives it greater depth and a bigger picture of how we all have to think and how we must all act – it was really educational."
His team-mate Nick Heidfeld added:"I really enjoyed the movie. It was very interesting and I especially enjoyed the strength of the pictures. It made me want to go there to visit this amazing place for myself, it was very educational for me. It was exciting to see if they would make it."
Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Principal James Barclay, said: “I think Formula E set itself a fantastic challenge and it was lovely to see such an impactful piece that tells a great message and raises awareness for a really important issue behind why Formula E is the perfect platform for promoting the benefits of electric vehicles and the sustainable future we all need to drive for.”
Ice Drive will be available on general release next week, with full details of where it can be seen to be confirmed soon.