Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship – the series for all-electric single-seaters – will see big changes when it starts in January 2023. Not only will the new Gen3 racing cars be used for the first time but there will also be new teams, new sporting formats, new venues – and even a new Formula E sound.
The inaugural championship was run in 2014/2015 with the first race held in Beijing, China. As more venues were added with each season and the series had met the criteria of having 4 manufacturer competitors and races on 3 continents, it was granted World Championship status by the FIA.
New cities
Three new cities hosting Formula E races for the first time will be Hyderabad, India; Cape Town, South Africa; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. The venues for two rounds have still to be confirmed. Although Korea has hosted a round before, the event cannot be held at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul as there is ongoing renovation work. The organisers are exploring other options in South Korea to replace this venue.
One advantage of Formula E events is that they can be held on city streets, as most have. In the first two seasons, Putrajaya in Malaysia was one of the venues. So it is a question of whether the city authorities are willing to allow closure of some areas for races and local organisers are willing to spend a substantial sum to set up safety measures that meet FIA strict standards.
McLaren and Maserati will make their debut in the championship next year, being among the 11 teams and 22 drivers competing for world titles. Major manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW which had been participating before will no longer be represented on the starting grid.
Regulations updated
The regulations have been updated and include a return to racing over laps, as well as a 30-second 4 kWh ‘Attack Charge’ boost at some of the races. This has been made possible through the development of the most advanced EV battery in the world today.
Every team must complete at least two Free Practice 1 sessions during the season with a driver who has never previously competed in the championship. The goal is to give up-and-coming drivers the chance to experience the unique qualities of Formula E racing and to contribute to the progress of the team.
“Our updated sporting regulations are evidence of the continued evolution and positive impact of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship for drivers, teams, partners and fans into the consumer EV world. The combination of sporting enhancements, a step change in car performance, cutting-edge battery technology and the innovation of Attack Charge will make our racing more competitive and entertaining while showcasing the future for EV development. This is at the heart of what Formula E set out to achieve and we look forward to seeing the new generation come to life in Season 9,” said Jamie Reigle, CEO of Formula E.
Debut of Gen3 racing cars
Finally, the Gen3 cars which have been shown over the past 6 months and are now appearing with the livery of the various teams. The Gen3 models are the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric racing cars ever built. Developed by engineers and sustainability experts at the FIA and Formula E, the Gen3 car is intended to show the world that high performance and sustainability can co-exist without compromise.
“Both technologically and environmentally, Gen3 sets new standards in the sport. The FIA and Formula E development teams have done a superb job, and I thank them for their hard work on this project. I am delighted to see so many leading manufacturers already signed up to the championship’s next era and await Gen3’s competitive debut in Season 9 with great anticipation,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA.
New logo and sound
To coincide with the start of the Gen3 era, Formula E has reimagined the visual and sonic brand identity of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The new identity is inspired by the instant torque of electric acceleration. A new sound of Formula E has also been developed for use across broadcast, digital and marketing channels, with the sound of the new Gen3 car at its core.
