How is Formula E’s Season 11 Developing EV Technology?

Where is the best place to develop sustainable technology?

Many companies involved in electric motorsports championship Formula E say trackside, where the "mobile laboratory" allows the tech leaders to develop, hone and immediately test the EVs.

This prestigious electric car racing series' unique structure, encompassing specific governance, inventive scoring methods, and strict regulations, ensures fair play and stimulates continuous improvement among competing manufacturers.

The 2024/25 season marks by the introduction of the GEN3 Evo, a symbol of progressive evolution in electric racing, slated to transform the sport further.

The overarching goal? To bring high-efficiency, sustainable, and high-performance EV solutions increasingly within the reach of the mainstream market.

Pascal Wehrlein, the reigning world champion racing for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, is eagerly anticipating the launch of the 2024/25 Formula E season.

With his car, the new Porsche 99X Electric, he shares a personal touch, "I love the colours so much that I designed my helmet similarly."

"It also goes without saying that I am proud now to have number one on the nose of my car. I want to defend my title and the preparations for the new season are going according to plan."

How does the competition work?

Formula E is made up of two different championships: one for drivers and another for teams. The Driver's World Championship goes to the driver accumulating the most points through the season, while the Teams' World Championship reflects the combined effort of both drivers from each squad.

Points are disbursed among the top 10 finishers based on the standard FIA format, with bonus points for achievements like securing the pole position and recording the fastest lap during a race that sees a top-ten finish.

Adjustments occur under special circumstances such as weather disrupts, aligning with these rules:

• Less than 2 laps completed: No points awarded.
• Between 2 laps and up to 75% of race distance: Points are halved.
• Above 75% race distance: Full points are given.

Maintaining order is crucial in Formula E, where infractions lead to various penalties.

Depending on the offence, drivers might face time penalties, either served during pit stops or added to their race time, drive-through penalties requiring a pit without stopping, or more severe stop-and-go penalties demanding a stop for ten seconds.

Unaddressed penalties due to race retirement carry over as grid disadvantages in subsequent races, with serious violations potentially leading to disqualification or further licensing penalties.

Staying on the cutting edge

Drivers like Pascal, fresh from a championship win, retain their right to compete in the following season courtesy of their Super Licence. The uniformity extends to equipment as well, with all drivers equipped with Hankook 18-inch all-weather tyres, with strict regulations forbidding any modifications or pre-heating.

Each race allocates four new sets of front and rear tyres to drivers, which increases to six for double-header events, ensuring fairness and high competition standards throughout the season.

Formula E is not just about the exhilarating chase on the tracks; it's a beacon of innovation and sustainability in the automotive sector.

Each season, including the impending 11th which features 16 races in over 10 international cities, underscores the sport's strategic influence in advancing electric mobility. Utilising state-of-the-art technologies and stringent regulations, Formula E continues to craft a competitive and sustainable future for global transport, one race at a time.

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