Formula E Racing: A Decade of Electrifying Progress
Since its debut in 2014, Formula E has carved out a unique niche in the world of motorsports, completing nine action-packed seasons and heading into its tenth with a double-header in London. Launched by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the championship was initially conceived in 2011, the brainchild of Alejandro Agag and then-FIA president Jean Todt.
The primary aim was to entice a younger audience and spotlight the potential of battery-powered vehicles. "Back then, anybody who talked about electric cars were either crazy or green activists," commented driver Lucas di Grassi, capturing the early skepticism surrounding electric racing. Yet, Formula E has proven to be much more than a passing trend.
The debut season featured 10 teams, all competing in the Spark-Renault SRT 01E. Notable contributions were made by McLaren and Williams, who were instrumental in developing the motors and batteries for these initial cars. While the first-generation cars had a top speed of 140mph and required mid-race car swaps due to battery limitations, technological advancements have significantly enhanced the competitive landscape.
The transition to second-generation cars saw speeds increase to 173mph, eliminating the need for mid-race car swaps. Currently, the 'gen 3' cars can reach racing speeds of up to 200mph, showcasing the remarkable progress made in electric vehicle technology. Lucas di Grassi emphasized the importance of performance in public perception, saying, "Having a fast and a performing car is very important for the public perception towards how they appreciate the sport."
The championship has attracted major automakers, though not all have stayed the course. British manufacturer Jaguar returned to competitive racing in season three after a 12-year hiatus. Meanwhile, Mercedes-EQ dominated the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, securing both driver and team titles before the departure of iconic brands Audi, BMW, and Mercedes by the 2022-23 campaign. Despite this, the commitment of manufacturers like Porsche remains strong. "If racing is in your DNA, like Porsche, and you're going to be producing only electric cars, then it's perfectly logical to race in a world championship that's electric," noted Jeff Dodds.
Beyond the track, Formula E has placed a strong emphasis on sustainability. Zak Brown, McLaren's CEO, highlighted this, stating, "Sustainability was a big factor. We take that very seriously. F1 is really big in America but IndyCar gives us icing on the cake. Sustainability, doing great in F1, very important to us; Formula E gives us another icing on the cake.” Sustainability and high performance are not mutually exclusive in this championship, and the sport is now a consolidated, multi-continent, multi-national, multi-manufacturer series that continues to evolve.
As Formula E moves towards its next chapter, developments are already underway for the 'gen 4' car, set for a debut in season 13 and beyond. While challenges remain, particularly in expanding the fanbase, there is a clear vision for growth. "Definitely more free-to-air. Right now, the fanbase isn’t big enough… Trend fans are not going to stumble across it. That's what it needs to work on," observed Zak Brown.
Jeff Dodds also pointed out the need for greater accessibility: "You don't want anybody in any of our prime markets asking the question, 'where can I watch it?' That's a pretty bad outcome for a sport. So that's a problem that we have to solve in a long-term way."
Despite these hurdles, the championship's growth has been impressive. "The championship was a start-up; now it’s a consolidated, multi-continent, multi-national, multi-manufacturer series that still has a lot to improve but has grown massively from the start," remarked Lucas di Grassi.
As Formula E prepares to conclude its 10th season in London, the championship stands as a testament to the evolution of electric racing. What started as an ambitious vision has become a cornerstone of modern motorsport, pushing the boundaries of what electric vehicles can achieve while promoting sustainability and innovation on a global stage.