The dawn of 2024 brings with it the electrifying roar of motorsport, as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship gears up for its landmark tenth season. Kicking off in the vibrant heart of Mexico City, this weekend marks the return of the world’s premier all-electric international motorsport series, a decade after its historic inaugural race in Beijing. Formula E has not only carved a unique niche in the global sporting landscape but has also become a powerful testament to the relentless innovation and growing capabilities of electric vehicle technology.
Consistently lauded for its unparalleled competitiveness, Formula E stands out as one of the most unpredictable top-tier motorsport championships on the planet. The series is keen to build on the resounding success of its Gen3 era, which debuted last year. The Gen3 car, representing a significant leap in performance and efficiency, delivered a 2023 season replete with thrilling overtakes and closer racing than ever before. Spectators were treated to a spectacle where the outcome of an E-Prix was rarely predictable, culminating in Jake Dennis and Andretti claiming the coveted championship titles. This outcome further solidified Formula E’s reputation for producing diverse championship winners almost every year, underscoring the depth of talent and the evenly matched machinery across the grid.
As we embark on this milestone tenth season, fans are eager to discover what new developments, fierce rivalries, and strategic innovations await. From significant driver market shifts to an evolving global calendar and the introduction of groundbreaking new rules, the 2024 Formula E season promises to deliver another unforgettable chapter in electric racing history.
Teams and Drivers: A Dynamic Grid Reshuffle
Unlike the largely static grid witnessed in Formula 1 for 2024, the Formula E paddock has experienced a vibrant reshuffle, with several high-profile driver swaps across the 11 teams. This dynamic driver market often contributes to the series’ competitive edge, as fresh pairings and new team dynamics emerge.
Reigning world champion Jake Dennis remains steadfast at Andretti, poised to defend his hard-earned title. However, he will be joined by a new teammate, Norman Nato, who makes the move from Nissan. Nato, entering his third full season in Formula E, brings valuable experience and will be eager to contribute to Andretti’s championship ambitions. This pairing ensures continuity for the defending champions while injecting new energy into the team.
One of the most talked-about moves sees Nick Cassidy, a fierce title contender in 2023, joining his compatriot Mitch Evans at Jaguar. Last season, the two New Zealanders were locked in a dramatic championship battle that included a memorable on-track collision in Rome. Their reunion at Jaguar creates a formidable “dream team,” potentially making the British outfit the most intriguing and potent force on the grid. Their shared history and individual talents suggest an electrifying dynamic, especially given Jaguar’s strong performance in last year’s pre-season testing at Valencia, where they appeared to be the team to beat.
Cassidy’s move to Jaguar opens a seat for series veteran Sam Bird at McLaren, replacing Rene Rast. Bird, who arguably endured his most challenging season in the championship last year, will be highly motivated to rediscover his winning form. He will partner Jake Hughes, who impressed many during his rookie season before the team’s performance dipped. Both Bird and Hughes will be looking to leverage McLaren’s resources to mount a stronger challenge this year, fueled by a desire for redemption and success.
Elsewhere, the 2021 champion Nyck de Vries makes a highly anticipated return to Formula E after a single, challenging season in Formula 1. De Vries now has a prime opportunity for redemption at Mahindra, where he will race alongside Edoardo Mortara, who arrives from Maserati. This fresh start could see de Vries return to his championship-winning form. Mortara’s departure from Maserati paves the way for the grid’s sole rookie in 2024, former Formula 2 racer Jehan Daruvala. Daruvala faces the steep learning curve of adapting to Formula E’s unique demands but brings promising talent and speed from the junior categories.
Oliver Rowland also marks a return to the championship, rejoining Nissan after departing Mahindra mid-season last year. His experience and pace will be a significant asset to Nissan. The only team to undergo an identity change for 2024 is ERT, formerly known as NIO 333, who maintain their consistent driver line-up of Dan Ticktum and Sergio Sette Camara. The overall depth of talent across the grid, with multiple former champions and proven race winners, promises an exceptionally competitive season where any driver has the potential to stand on the top step of the podium.
| Team | Driver 1 | Driver 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Abt | Lucas di Grassi | Nico Muller |
| Andretti | Jake Dennis | Norman Nato |
| DS Penske | Stoffel Vandoorne | Jean-Eric Vergne |
| ERT | Dan Ticktum | Sergio Sette Camara |
| Envision | Robin Frijns | Sebastien Buemi |
| Jaguar | Mitch Evans | Nick Cassidy |
| Mahindra | Nyck de Vries | Edoardo Mortara |
| Maserati | Maximilian Guenther | Jehan Daruvala |
| McLaren | Jake Hughes | Sam Bird |
| Nissan | Oliver Rowland | Sacha Fenestraz |
| Porsche | Antonio Felix da Costa | Pascal Werhlein |
The 2024 Formula E Calendar: A Global Spectacle
The 2024 Formula E championship will once again span the globe, featuring 16 races from January to July, bringing electric racing to diverse and iconic locations. The season traditionally kicks off at the historic Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, a circuit renowned for its high-altitude challenges and passionate fanbase. The championship will culminate with its unique indoor-outdoor double-header finale at the Excel Arena in London, providing a spectacular close to the season.
The 2023 season saw a significant expansion of the calendar with a wealth of first-time hosts, including Hyderabad in India, Cape Town in South Africa, and Sao Paolo in Brazil. For 2024, the calendar sees some notable adjustments. While Sao Paolo successfully returns, Cape Town did not secure a place on the schedule for this year. Hyderabad was unfortunately removed due to an ongoing contractual dispute with the local government, a setback for Formula E’s presence in the Indian market. Additionally, the Jakarta circuit, which hosted the series for the past two seasons, will not feature this year, nor will the challenging street circuit in Rome, which faced difficulties in adapting to the Gen3 car’s increased performance and size.
However, these departures make way for three exciting new venues that promise to add fresh challenges and expand Formula E’s global footprint. The first is a highly anticipated single race in Japan, set to take place in the heart of the capital city, Tokyo, at the end of March. This marks a significant strategic move for Formula E, entering a key market for electric vehicle innovation. Following this, the championship heads to Europe for a double-header event at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Italy, a venue renowned for hosting MotoGP and GT3 racing, offering a stark contrast to Formula E’s usual street circuits. The final new venue for 2024 is the iconic Shanghai International Circuit in China, which will also make its return to Formula 1 for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. This addition underscores Formula E’s ambition to race at world-class facilities and reach major automotive markets, showcasing the series’ versatility and growth.
| Race | Date | Circuit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13/01/2024 | Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez |
| 2 | 26/01/2024 | Diriyah |
| 3 | 27/01/2024 | Diriyah |
| 4 | 16/03/2024 | Sao Paulo |
| 5 | 30/03/2024 | Tokyo |
| 6 | 13/04/2024 | Misano |
| 7 | 14/04/2024 | Misano |
| 8 | 27/04/2024 | Monaco |
| 9 | 11/05/2024 | Berlin |
| 10 | 12/05/2024 | Berlin |
| 11 | 25/05/2024 | Shanghai International Circuit |
| 12 | 26/05/2024 | Shanghai International Circuit |
| 13 | 29/06/2024 | Portland |
| 14 | 30/06/2024 | Portland |
| 15 | 20/07/2024 | London |
| 16 | 21/07/2024 | London |
New Rules and Strategic Innovations for 2024
For the 2024 Formula E season, the overarching philosophy leans towards continuity, with few significant changes to the core regulations. This approach aims to leverage the successful Gen3 platform and the thrilling racing it delivered last year, ensuring viewers can expect much of the same breathtaking action and unpredictability throughout the championship.
Race weekends will largely follow the established format: all E-Prix sessions, including practice, qualifying, and the race itself, will typically take place on the same day, aside from an opening acclimatization session held the previous evening in most cases. The popular knockout qualifying format, introduced in 2022 and widely praised as one of Formula E’s most innovative contributions to motorsport, will once again return, guaranteeing intense head-to-head battles for pole position.
The most anticipated new regulation is the so-called ‘Attack Charge’ pit stop rule. Originally planned for introduction in 2023, its debut was delayed, and it will now not be in effect for the initial part of the 2024 season. However, the plan is to formally introduce ‘Attack Charge’ from the Misano rounds in April. This groundbreaking innovation aims to introduce a new layer of strategic complexity to the races. Under ‘Attack Charge’, drivers will be required to enter the pit lane for a compulsory 30-second stop, during which their car’s battery will receive a rapid power boost. Crucially, this unique pit stop will grant them two distinct ‘Attack Mode’ periods, allowing them to run at an increased rate of power compared to the usual Attack Mode. This strategic element is designed to simulate traditional motorsport pit stops within the electric racing context, adding another dimension for teams to manage during the race.
Until ‘Attack Charge’ is officially integrated – a decision that still carries a degree of uncertainty given some voiced concerns about introducing such a major new feature mid-season – the sport will continue to operate its established ‘Attack Mode’ procedure. This familiar system compels drivers to activate a temporary power boost a certain number of times during the race. To do so, they must take a slightly longer, off-line path across special activation points located on the outside of a designated corner on the circuit. Teams retain the strategic freedom to decide how long they wish to deploy each ‘Attack Mode’ activation, adding a significant degree of variance to race strategies and keeping fans on the edge of their seats as teams manage energy and optimize their power usage throughout the E-Prix. This blend of consistent regulations and innovative new features ensures that Formula E remains at the forefront of motorsport evolution, delivering captivating and strategically rich racing.
How to Watch the 2024 Formula E Season
For fans eagerly awaiting the 2024 Formula E championship, understanding the broadcasting landscape is key. The series continues to adapt its distribution strategy to reach a global audience, though this often means changes in how fans access the live action.
Notably, for viewers in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, the 2024 season marks a significant shift. This will be the first Formula E championship not to be available on either free-to-air television or via a free-to-access stream on YouTube for the main race events. Instead, the only way to watch the full Formula E action live in the UK and Ireland will be by subscribing to TNT Sports, available through Sky, or by utilizing the Discovery+ streaming service. This move represents a transition towards a more subscription-based model in these regions, though fans can still catch free practice sessions live on YouTube.
Across the Atlantic, viewers in the United States have robust options to follow the championship. They can tune into CBS Sports, a long-standing partner, or leverage the Roku streaming service, which is a new addition for the 2024 season, expanding accessibility. Australian audiences can continue to watch all the electrifying races via Stan Sport, ensuring comprehensive coverage Down Under. For most regions across Europe, Eurosport will carry extensive coverage of the series, providing a familiar home for Formula E fans. These varied broadcast partnerships underscore Formula E’s commitment to delivering its unique brand of electric motorsport to a diverse and growing international fanbase, albeit through evolving platforms.
Formula E: Beyond the Track
- McLaren to quit Formula E at end of season
- Wehrlein beats Jaguar pair to title in dramatic Formula E finale
- Wehrlein’s London win sets up thrilling three-way title showdown in finale
- Da Costa takes hat-trick of wins in chaotic second Portland race
- Da Costa inherits Portland win from Evans after Cassidy spins lead away
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