Formula 1 v Formula E

The inaugural Formula E season came to a close in Battersea Park, London at the weekend.

Despite the tight and twisty park circuit offering little opportunity for overtaking, the weekend saw a dramatic championship battle draw to a close.

After nine races, three drivers still had a shot at winning the championship over the double race weekend in London.

Nelson Piquet Jr, a former Formula One driver with Renault lead the championship ahead of former F1 driver with Virgin Racing Lucas di Grassi and former Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Buemi.

Piquet Junior held on to his slender lead going into the final laps of the season and eventually clinched the title by a single point.

It was a mixed end to a mixed series, the electronic technology is arguably not quite ready for a world championship series such as Formula E, which sees the drivers change cars mid-way through the race as they, as yet, do not carry enough charge to last an entire race distance, which in regards to the London E Prix was 52 miles.

But a packed field of former Formula One and World Endurance Championship drivers has raised its profile significantly since the start of the Formula E season.

But what potential does it hold?

According to Sir Richard Branson, who part owned the Virgin team in Formula One which eventually became Manor Marussia. He believes Formula E will overtake Formula 1.

The 64-year-old who now competes in Formula E with Virgin Racing told the BBC: ‘I think in four or five years you will find Formula E taking over from F1 in terms of number of people.

‘As time goes on, the clean energy type of business will power ahead of other businesses.’

FIA chief Jean Todt however doesn’t agree and believes the two series will sit firmly alongside each other.

‘It’s the same family. I hope Formula E becomes bigger. It’s a nonsense to think they are competing against each other,’