The turning point: Season 11 of Formula E comes of age
From its inception just over a decade ago the FIA Formula E World Championship has been on a mission to redefine motorsport for the electric age.
Early on, it faced its fair share of sceptics—those who doubted the allure of quiet, battery-powered single-seaters in city centres. Yet, as the eleventh season kicks off, I look at why Formula E now stands as a mature, globally recognised championship that marries cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and enthralling competition.
A Brief Retrospective: How We Got Here
To understand the significance of Season 11, it helps to recall Formula E’s trajectory. The first season, back in 2014, was something of a daring experiment—identical cars, battery swaps, and uncertain crowds. Over time, the series dispensed with car changes, introduced faster, more efficient battery packs, and lured major automotive manufacturers and top-tier racing talent. By Season 9, the introduction of the Gen3 car—lighter, more efficient, and more powerful—propelled Formula E into a new era of performance and innovation.
Season 10, last year, built upon the Gen3 platform’s capabilities, showcasing higher speeds, better energy regeneration, and close-fought championships involving a robust mix of factory-backed and customer teams. Amidst a global shift toward electrification, Formula E found itself less a curiosity and more a mainstream fixture, with established stars and manufacturers vying to shape the future of electric mobility. Now, Season 11 stands poised to refine the formula further, evolving from a promising series into a well-rounded championship that feels both stable and forward-looking.
Refinements to the Gen3 Package
The Gen3 cars debuted with ground-breaking specifications: top speeds over 320 km/h, front and rear powertrains for unprecedented regenerative braking, and smaller, lighter batteries. By Season 11, teams and drivers will have accumulated two years of invaluable data. Expect them to unlock even more performance and efficiency. Software updates—an often underappreciated performance differentiator—will be key, as engineers refine torque mapping, braking balance, and energy management strategies. The hardware remains largely unchanged, but incremental improvements in reliability and setup understanding could translate to more competitive and dynamic racing.
One likely benefit of this deeper familiarity is closer, more predictable racing. In early Gen3 races, some teams struggled to find their footing, resulting in performance gaps. By Season 11, we can anticipate a tighter competitive field. The same car-chassis package used by all ensures a level platform—where talent in engineering, energy strategy, and driving finesse distinguishes contenders from also-rans.
Formula E has never shied away from innovation in sporting format, introducing concepts like Attack Mode, Fanboost (recently discontinued), and various qualifying revamps. After two seasons with the Duels qualifying format and a return to more traditional race lengths, Formula E and the FIA may introduce subtle tweaks for Season 11, aimed at enhancing both the sporting integrity and the show.
A potential refinement could involve the Attack Mode concept—those brief periods of higher power that drivers must activate by going off the racing line. With more data at their disposal, the FIA might adjust Attack Mode durations or deployment rules to ensure maximum strategic intrigue. Additionally, there have been discussions—albeit speculative—around reintroducing some form of pit-stop element tied to rapid charging, now that battery and charging tech have advanced.
The Calendar: Expanding Horizons and Consolidating Favourites
Formula E’s identity is tied closely to its venues: world-class cities that provide dramatic backdrops and attract diverse fans. Over the years, the championship has raced through Paris’ cobblestone streets, circled Berlin’s Tempelhof airfield, raced around Monaco’s fabled harbour, and lit up metropolises from Seoul to São Paulo.
The recently established foothold in emerging electric mobility hotspots like India and South Africa could be solidified, while perennial favourites—Mexico City, Berlin, Rome, and Monaco—are likely to remain cornerstones of the calendar. There is ongoing speculation that Formula E will expand its footprint in the United States, perhaps adding a second American round to complement the popular Brooklyn race, or seek new markets in the Middle East or Southeast Asia to reflect the global embrace of EV technology.
Some experts have suggested a return to established European racing destinations might help ground the championship’s narrative, building tradition and continuity. With Season 11, it’s plausible that Formula E aims for a balanced mix of established events and carefully chosen newcomers. The season might feature around 16 to 18 races, allowing for a structured schedule that rewards consistency and long-term strategy without stretching teams thin.
The Manufacturers and Teams: A High-Stakes Arms Race
One of Formula E’s great successes has been its ability to attract and retain serious automotive players. The presence of manufacturers like Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, and DS Automobiles underscores the series’ importance as a proving ground for EV technology. While some major brands like Mercedes-Benz and Audi departed in past seasons, new entrants and existing privateer teams have stepped into the spotlight. With competitive outfits like Avalanche Andretti (with Porsche powertrains), Jaguar TCS Racing, and Envision Racing (also Jaguar-powered) consistently at the front, the battle lines are drawn along complex supply relationships and strategic alliances.
In Season 11, these partnerships may deepen. Customer teams rely heavily on powertrain suppliers for updates. As the Gen3 formula matures, the difference between winning and losing could hinge on incremental software improvements and energy management tricks shared (or withheld) between manufacturers and customers.
Moreover, with electric mobility a central theme in global automotive strategy, success in Formula E translates into marketing clout. Teams and manufacturers understand this, which could mean a ramp-up in R&D investment. After all, the technologies honed on the racetrack—fast charging solutions, inverter efficiency gains, innovative battery cooling systems—could trickle directly into the next generation of road-going EVs. By Season 11, we may see a heightened push to tout these trickle-down benefits, as manufacturers look to justify their involvement both financially and reputationally.
The Drivers: Star Power and New Talent
Formula E has carved out its own star roster, initially featuring names like Sébastien Buemi, Lucas di Grassi, and Jean-Éric Vergne—former Formula 1 talents who found new purpose in electric racing. Over time, the series has fostered homegrown heroes like Jake Dennis, Mitch Evans, and Nick Cassidy. These drivers have matured with the championship, adapting to the unique demands of electric racing: mastering energy regeneration, dealing with limited grip on temporary circuits, and thriving under intense wheel-to-wheel combat in confined urban settings.
Season 11 will likely bring a fresh infusion of talent. Drivers graduating from Formula E’s support categories, or switching over from other electric series, could shake up the established order. Likewise, a steady stream of seasoned professionals—from endurance racing, DTM, or even the fringes of Formula 1—may seek a seat in what is now widely respected as a top-tier motorsport. The result should be a dynamic driver market, where proven veterans find themselves challenged by ambitious newcomers unburdened by old habits.
With the championship having gained prestige, drivers who might previously have hesitated to commit to electric racing now see it as a legitimate career pinnacle.
Commercial Growth and Broadcast Reach
The commercial ecosystem around Formula E has matured significantly. Sponsorships from top-tier companies—ranging from energy giants and global consumer brands to cutting-edge technology firms—have become the norm. Season 11 should see further consolidation of these partnerships. With EV adoption accelerating worldwide, aligning with Formula E’s message of innovation and sustainability is increasingly attractive to a broad range of brands.
Broadcast and digital reach continue to expand. Formula E’s return to free-to-air tv screens in the UK with ITV, coupled with robust social media and streaming platforms, has helped it reach younger, tech-savvy audiences. Season 11 could mark a deeper push into immersive fan experiences: AR and VR track views, enhanced data streams for viewers, and interactive race-day apps. The series’ official gaming partnerships and esports events might also grow, bridging the gap between traditional racing fans and a new generation raised on interactive digital content.
Shaping the Future of Motorsport
More than anything, Season 11 of Formula E symbolizes the series’ transition from an upstart to a cornerstone of the global motorsport calendar. The championship’s mission—to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility and demonstrate its excitement—has never been more timely. Around the world, governments are setting ambitious targets for phasing out internal combustion engines, and the automotive industry is pouring unprecedented resources into electrification.
In this context, Formula E is not just entertainment; it’s a conduit between innovation and the public imagination. Technological breakthroughs tested on track inform consumer EVs. The global stage of e-prix weekends encourages cities to showcase their sustainability initiatives and inspires fans to reconsider their own transport choices. Even rival motorsport series—some steeped in more than half a century of tradition—are borrowing ideas from Formula E, be it the push for hybrid or fully electric categories, or the emphasis on presenting a more sustainable image.
Now in its eleventh season, the normalisation of electric racing means Formula E has come of age. The question is no longer whether electric motorsport can captivate audiences—it clearly can. The focus now lies in refining every aspect of the show: perfecting the technical regulations, locking in a balanced and engaging calendar, and continuing to attract top-tier drivers and manufacturers. As it masters these elements, Formula E sets an example for the broader sporting ecosystem: adaptation, innovation, and alignment with pressing global challenges can yield commercial success, cultural resonance, and thrilling athletic competition.
