Formula E Gen4 Will Be ‘Game Over’ For Formula One

The debate rages over which is better to drive – electric or internal combustion. World Rallycross is even planning to pit one against the other in its forthcoming 2024 season . As the tenth season of Formula E is due to commence this coming weekend in Mexico , the Gen3 car is now bedded in. Thoughts are already turning to unleashing more of its potential and what the next big Gen4 upgrade has in store.

I talked to the Envision and Maserati teams about what they were most looking forward to this season, and what to expect for the future of Formula E both near and longer term. Robin Frijns, Envision Racing, Jaguar I TYPE 6 The Gen3 car had a bumpy start to its tenure. “Every time you have a new car in motorsport, the curve is very steep,” says Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director and CTO of the Envision Virgin Racing Formula E Team.

The first race in Mexico in the last season was still effectively a test run for the Gen3 car, with plenty of bugs to be fixed. This continued into the next two races in Saudi Arabia. “After race three or four, we were up to speed. Across the first season with Gen3, there were clearly some improvements that could be made.

But Gen3 is a four year cycle with an update in the middle. The cars in Season 10 will be fundamentally the same as last year in terms of hardware, but with enhanced software controls. We’re sticking to the hardware while preparing for Season 11 next year, with an improved powertrain.” Maserati was a new vendor team in Season 9 and is the only Italian luxury brand in Formula E – no sign of electric Ferraris just yet.

The company sees Formula E as key for its future, and simultaneously a return to its sporting roots. Its race win at the 2023 Jakarta E Prix was its first single seater victory since 1957. Maserati began racing in 1914, so 2024 is its 110 th anniversary. With plans to have an electric version in its entire range by 2025 and all products to be fully electric by 2030, Maserati’s roadmap is tight and in need of rapid development insight.

Formula E will deliver key technology knowledge to its road cars, which have always had an emphasis on performance. Maximilian Gunther, Maserati MSG Racing, Maserati Tipo Folgore “What we learn about energy consumption will be key,” says Giovanni Sgro, Head of Maserati Corse. “We can maximize energy and optimize brake regeneration.

This includes data from the championship drivers themselves, not just the output from the powertrain technology. We are excited about the opportunities from the Gen3 car has to improve our road cars. The adjustments will be great to explore this season. Gen3 has done a great job of engaging fans, who follow the innovation as much as the racing itself.” However, one thing that was mooted for last season, which never materialized, was in race charging .

There is still no definitive word on whether these 600kW charging stops will be implemented this season either, although the chances are much higher. This will depend on the outcome of testing. “It's amazing technology,” says Filippi. “It’s twice as fast as the fastest public charging out there.” The fastest ultra rapid charging is currently 350kW.

“We've been trialing 600kW so it's a huge amount of current and voltage going through that battery.” The plan is to add a 30 second recharge at 600kW, which would replenish 4 5kWh to the battery and potentially extend the race distance by up to 10% or provide greater performance for longer.

This would add further strategic jeopardy alongside the attack mode requirements. “Fast charging will add a dynamic component to the racing,” says Sgro. “It will also help us learn how to charge a battery and perform at the highest level. How Formula E packages that will be very exciting.” Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing, Jaguar I TYPE 6, leads as Sebastien Buemi, Envision Racing, Jaguar ...

[+] I TYPE 6, battles with Jake Dennis, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, Porsche 99 X Electric Gen3 While Season 10 will run with the same Gen3 car as Season 9 and just incremental software updates, Formula E is already looking towards Gen4. “The Gen4 tenders have been awarded and it seems far away, but the work could start very soon,” says Filippi.

“It's another big step in performance, probably the biggest ever. We’ll be testing in 2026 and racing in 2027.” The car is likely to have at least 600kW of power (the Gen3 currently has 350kW, with 50kW released in the front motor for the GenBETA that broke the indoor speed record in 2023 , and 200kW more potentially available).

There’s also likely to be a battery with more energy, to enable faster speeds and possibly longer races. The performance and stiffness of the car could mean Formula E has to rethink which circuits it uses with the Gen4, as it could be too fast for some existing tracks. While Gen4 might seem like the development that puts the final nail in the coffin for Formula One’s dominance as the king of circuit racing, Filippi reckons the Gen3 car could already compete against F1, with a different setup.

“It’s all about the downforce,” he says. “Today we can make an electric motor that can beat a Formula One engine in acceleration, and even deliver the same high speeds. However, so much of lap times come from downforce. Formula E also runs tires that are half road, half racing.” If Formula E cars ran slicks, they would get close to Formula 1 lap times already.

“The weight is the same already, and with the same aero and grip it would be similarly quick.” In other words, in the not too distant future Formula E could leap ahead of Formula One. “Gen4 will show the platform is continuing to make an exciting race in Formula E,” adds Sgro. “It will take the message of innovation even further, with more technology, more performance, and even better dynamics.” Filippi concludes: “With Gen4 it will be game over.” Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing, Jaguar I TYPE 6 leads Jake Dennis, Andretti Global, Porsche 99X ...

[+] Electric Gen3 out of the pit lane But that’s for a few years’ time. For now, Formula E has an exciting 2024 season ahead, with new locations to extend its global reach. Unfortunately, just before Christmas one of those places dropped off the season calendar, when a new administration in Hyderabad in India reneged on the deal its predecessor had made to host a race on February 10 th .

Jakarta, Indonesia is also out for Season 10. However, Tokyo and Shanghai are still on the season schedule as new destinations. China will be particularly important, considering the country’s huge EV market. “China is also the HQ of my team Envision, so amazing for tech and then going back to Monaco and London, all the cool places we’ve been before,” says Filippi.

“Because of COVID, 2020 was obviously a challenge, but since then we've recovered. We are forecast to grow at a fast pace. More broadcasters, more territories, more fans.” “Formula E is two things,” concludes Filippi. “It's a showcase of the latest and greatest tech and the speed of sheer acceleration.

At the Portland racetrack we are reaching almost 300 kilometers an hour. Not many people could believe that a few years ago. I'm excited about the media platform growing. The bigger the sports, the bigger the region, the bigger the impact we have. I'm excited about going to new places because taking the show to these regions means a new market and new fans.”.