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Formula E: Behind Ten Years Of History

KerryViolet
Formula E car on track

Electric racing car

Kerry Violet

Since its inception in 2014, Formula E has faced doubts from longtime motorsport fans and newcomers alike. But after a decade of electric racing, it’s on its way to becoming mainstream.

In 2011, FIA president Jean Todt, European Commissioner for Transport Antonio Tajani and businessman Alejandro Agag were brainstorming over dinner in Paris. As the story goes, Formula E was born. What began as an idea scribbled on a napkin is now becoming a revolutionary championship.

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Motorsport’s foundations are built from teams showcasing innovation to influence the automotive industry. If the technology behind these teams goes electric, fans could potentially lose interest in fuel-powered competition. Formula E presents the concept of an entertaining championship, causing less damage.

Since the inaugural e-Prix of Beijing 2014, Formula E has held the exclusive licence for all-electric racing. Expiring in 2039, there is still time to convince viewers it is the only option for clean mobility, a message conveyed via many ad campaigns. In 2016, stuntman Damian Walters backflipped over a moving GEN1 car, season four promo saw driver Jean-Éric Vergne race a cheetah, and what better way to emphasise the synergy between racing and global warming than taking the car for a spin on an ice cap for Lucas di Grassi’s Ice Drive.

So, Who’s Who?

There have been female drivers who both tested and signed with an FE team. Katherine Legge raced in Beijing, yet did not make it through an entire season, replaced by Salvador Duran after just two races. Simona de Silvestro remains the longest-serving female driver, racing with Andretti for two seasons. 

Think of the aforementioned Lucas di Grassi as Formula E’s answer to Lewis Hamilton. Not only is he a pioneer for the sport but also the first-ever e-Prix winner. Having been around from day one, he helped shape the sport into what it is today.

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Despite his veteran status, di Grassi did not take home the drivers’ championship until season three. Nelson Piquet Jr. won season one, followed in season two by another big name, Sébastien Buemi. Unlike F1, you can always count on FE for an element of unpredictability and as a result, the drivers and the team’s champion will often not align.

See the full championship standings from every season here.

The Formula 1 To Formula E Pipeline

FE is a beneficial stepping stone in a driver’s career and whilst some wish to progress, this often is not the case.

FE driver Sam Bird looks set to be competitive with the Neom McLaren team this season. In the past, he discussed financial barriers when pursuing F1, feeling FE was a more viable option if that chance never materialised. 

One of this year’s frontrunners, Pascal Wehrlein, knows all too well the journey to F1 is never guaranteed. Despite starting in F1 with the Manor Racing team, he was originally part of the Mercedes junior programme. After one season with Manor Racing, the team closed its doors due to financial issues, leaving both Wehrlein and teammate Esteban Ocon seatless. This occurred in 2016, when Nico Rosberg famously left Mercedes after winning his first and only championship. You might assume Wehrlein had a seat with his name on it, yet Mercedes felt he was too inexperienced.

Ocon claimed the Force India seat, so Wehrlein joined Sauber — a short-lived partnership which ended his F1 career after two seasons. Wehrlein is still described as one of the most outperformed yet underrated talents, but F1 is never secure.

Most readers will be familiar with the brevity of Nyck de Vries’ time in an F1 car but he is now back with FE, determined to show he still has the talent that secured his first championship back in season seven.

Formula E Milestones

After seasons of thrills, FE finally gained ABB World Championship status, making de Vries the first official World Champion. Despite their success, his team Mercedes EQ dropped out of FE before the introduction of GEN3.

Just a few years prior, it was argued that having major manufacturers join the sport would prove FE was the place to test and showcase electric technology prowess. When BMW and Audi also dropped out, this allowed doubts to creep in again.

Locations

“Racing in Zurich was a massive milestone after the country banned motorsport events.”

FE travels globally to display accessible, sustainable racing. Logistics and travel impact the sport’s emissions, so a well-thought-out calendar is crucial each year. In season three, FE conquered a city where motorsport rarely ventures: New York! This landmark achievement put Sam Bird on the one-to-watch list, winning both races at the Big Apple’s double-header. 

Season four went one better and saw the long-awaited return of motorsport in Switzerland. Racing in Zurich was a massive milestone after the country banned motorsport events when the 1955 Le Mans accident resulted in tragedy.

Monaco is an iconic racetrack synonymous with motorsport. My first impression of FE came from seeing the series race on the same circuit as F1, where many spectators complain of the lack of overtaking opportunities. Due to the difference in the cars’ makeup, FE allows drivers to go three wide in Monaco, providing plenty of opportunity for pile-ups.

Seasonal Developments

As FE developed, it accepted criticism from fans and pundits. When accused of being boring, attack mode was introduced for season five. When Covid-19 forced season six into an early exit, the six remaining races at Tempelhof, Berlin, were held over nine days with three different track layouts.

Season eight presented the sport’s 100th race and shook up the qualifying format to introduce duels and a one-lap opportunity to gain pole position.

Last year, season nine said hello to GEN3 and new Hankook tyres, but goodbye to the controversial Fanboost. This demonstrates the sport and those behind it are open to adapting rules and regulations in the name of better racing. It seems the benefit of being a relatively new sport is that fans will be less upset when changes occur.

What’s To Come?

Season ten presents a great opportunity for action, entertainment and, as always, unpredictability.  Teams and drivers will continue to learn from GEN3 and what it means for their season and global technological advancement.

With the 2024 F1 season looking more and more predictable, why not step outside your comfort zone and follow an adrenaline-fueled sport as it navigates through the trials and tribulations of sustainable single-seater racing?

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Featured image courtesy of Fabrizio Russo via Unsplash. No changes have been made to this image. Image licence found here.

Kerry graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Sheffield and has since pursued her passion for writing as a motorsport journalist. With an affinity for sport and film, Kerry is working towards her dream of becoming an F1 presenter.

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