Formula E, the premier electric car racing series, has rapidly evolved since its inception in 2014. Conceived in 2011 by Alejandro Agag and then-FIA president Jean Todt, the series was launched by the FIA with an ambitious purpose—to captivate a younger audience and showcase the potential of battery-powered vehicles. Nine seasons in, the series has seen remarkable growth and technological innovation, with current 'gen 3' cars reaching racing speeds up to 200mph.
A Journey of Innovation
The debut season of Formula E featured ten teams, all utilizing the Spark-Renault SRT 01E car, with contributions from technological giants McLaren and Williams on the motors and batteries. The first-generation cars, however, were limited by battery constraints, necessitating mid-race car swaps and achieving top speeds of 140mph. The second-generation vehicles addressed these issues, hitting speeds of 173mph and eliminating the need for swaps, a significant leap forward that underlined the series’ commitment to innovation.
British manufacturer Jaguar made a notable return to competitive racing in Formula E's third season after a 12-year hiatus, adding to the series' prestige. More recently, Mercedes-EQ clinched driver and team titles in consecutive seasons, 2020-21 and 2021-22, underscoring the competitiveness and high stakes of the championship.
Competitive Shake-ups and Commitments
Despite the triumphs, Formula E has experienced notable exits. Audi, BMW, and Mercedes withdrew by the 2022-23 campaign, signaling a period of transition. However, McLaren Racing stepped in to acquire the world champions following Mercedes' exit, ensuring continued elite competition. Porsche, on the other hand, has pledged its commitment since entering the series five years ago, planning to stay engaged through at least 2030.
Jeff Dodds encapsulated Porsche's position succinctly: “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.” This sentiment reflects a broader shift toward sustainability in motorsport, aligning with global trends in vehicular technology.
A Growing Spectacle
The growth of Formula E mirrors the evolution of public perception of electric vehicles. As Lucas di Grassi noted, “Back then, anybody who talked about electric cars were either crazy or green activists.” Today, the championship stands as a testament to the viability and excitement of electric racing, significantly altering the narrative around electric vehicles.
Zak Brown highlighted the importance of public engagement: “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.” This highlights the strategic value of the series in a broader motorsport and sustainability context.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite its achievements, reaching a larger audience remains a hurdle. “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,” Brown commented, emphasizing the need to expand accessibility and awareness.
Jeff Dodds reinforced this sentiment: “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.” Ensuring that fans can easily access broadcasts is crucial for sustaining and growing the fanbase globally.
A Successful Formula
Lucas di Grassi summed up the series' evolution: “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.” With a decade of racing almost completed, the 'gen 4' upgrade is already in development for season 13 and beyond, promising even greater advancements.
As Formula E prepares to end its 10th season with a highly anticipated double-header in London, the future looks bright for this pioneering racing series. The blend of cutting-edge technology, competitive racing, and a commitment to sustainability continues to position Formula E as a major player in the world of motorsport.