A Decade of Evolution: Formula E's Journey from Concept to Contender
In a world where motorsport fans had long been captivated by the roar of gasoline engines, the launch of Formula E by the FIA in 2014 marked a new chapter, aiming to allure a younger audience and tout the potential of battery-powered vehicles. The idea, birthed in 2011 by Alejandro Agag and then-FIA president Jean Todt, was initially met with a fair share of skepticism. As driver Lucas di Grassi recalls, “Back then, anybody who talked about electric cars were either crazy or green activists.” Over the years, however, Formula E has proved these doubters wrong.
The Early Years
The embryonic stages of Formula E saw the debut season launched with 10 teams, all utilizing the Spark-Renault SRT 01E car. The development of these cars was no small feat, with major contributions from McLaren and Williams in terms of initial car motors and batteries. The challenge lay not just in making these cars fast—as di Grassi also pointed out, “Having a fast and a performing car is very important for the public perception towards how they appreciate the sport”—but also reliable. The first-generation cars reached speeds of 140 mph but faced significant battery constraints, necessitating mid-race car swaps.
However, evolution in technology quickly gave rise to the second-generation cars. These vehicles not only boasted a top speed of 173 mph but also eliminated the need for mid-race swaps, showcasing the rapid advancements in battery technology. Today's 'gen 3' cars further push the envelope with racing speeds up to 200 mph, a clear signal of the sport's growing technological maturity.
Major Milestones
As the seasons rolled by, several milestones defined Formula E's journey. British manufacturer Jaguar made a notable return to competitive racing in the series' third season, ending a 12-year hiatus. Champions have emerged and new legacies have been formed. Mercedes-EQ, for instance, secured both driver and team titles in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, only to exit alongside Audi and BMW by the 2022-23 campaign. In a pivotal move, McLaren Racing acquired the reigning world champions following Mercedes' withdrawal, further underlining the sport's ever-changing landscape.
Porsche stands as another steadfast pillar of commitment. Jeff Dodds of Porsche encapsulated their involvement saying, “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.” Porsche's commitment since five years ago extends through 2030, a testament to their long-term vision.
Looking to the Future
As Formula E approaches the double-header finale of its 10th season in London, the sport is far from resting on its laurels. The 'gen 4' cars, scheduled for season 13 and beyond, promise to bring even more advancements. Zak Brown highlighted the multifaceted benefits of such progress, “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.”
However, it's not merely about technological advancements and sustainability goals. Ensuring the sport reaches a wider audience remains a critical challenge. Brown stressed the importance of accessibility, “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.” Echoing these sentiments, Jeff Dodds also added, “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.”
Lucas di Grassi aptly summarized the journey and the growth of Formula E, noting, “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.” From its humble beginnings, this sport has built a significant presence and continues to accelerate towards a future filled with promise and innovation.