Yes the Volvo was great, and it was where rookie McLaughlin showed what he was worth... good car and driver combination.
E for E is imo the problem, there is no real sexiness in that.
IMO the real key to making E racing popular is by going the opposite of what is happening now, instead go the TC/Cup car route.
Something like a Tesla Model S cup would carry the magic of being able to see cars race that you can essentially drive yourself.
I give F all about Formula E, but would enjoy watching electric touring cars racing aggressively, like Australian Supercars, DTM, Japanese Super GT or the many brand cups, like Ferrari or Porsche.
Racing is essentially about speed and excitement, sound and smell accompany that excitement, but they are not the critical ingredients. Is sound a challenge, yes. There is a difference between a loud V8 and a car that sounds like a supercharged wheelchair. So you either add excitement by going faster and more dangerous, or by involving the viewer - that’s the REAL car you can (or already do) drive yourself.
Tesla S, other big brand manufacturers racing electric TCs aggressively is IMO the most effective way to involve people.
Formula E, like Formula W is just too artificial.
Same goes for electric “boost” that remind you more of Mario Kart than racing.
Just imagine the impact of allowing both electric and non electric cars in F1 or any prestigious racing class on an equal footing and the E cars winning, that would change the game naturally. Same as women drivers competing and winning in the same races as men, not in some segregated sex class that pretends to be about opportunity and exposure, but ends up being a side show that emphasizes inequality.
all IMO.
...and yes I love the noise of race engines too.