The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is an all-electric racing series that takes place on specially constructed city centre street circuits around the world. In some instances, the championship also races on permanent motorsport circuits. The races are called E-Prix.
Teams
For the 2021/22 season, the FIA Formula E World Championship will be made up of 11 teams with two cars and drivers each. Twenty-two cars will line up on the grid for each race. Nissan races alongside some of the world's biggest automotive brands. Many of the teams, like Nissan, have a rich and successful history in motorsport.
Championship and Standings
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship consists of two separate titles - one dedicated to the drivers and another for the teams. The Drivers' Championship is awarded to whichever driver has accumulated the most points over the racing season. The Teams' Championship is decided by calculating both team driver's scores throughout the season.
Points System
Formula E follows a standard points system, used in other FIA-sanctioned series - awarding points to the top 10 finishers.
1st - 25pts
2nd - 18pts
3rd - 15pts
4th - 12pts
5th - 10pts
6th - 8pts
7th - 6pts
8th - 4pts
9th - 2pts
10th - 1pt
Additional points are also awarded for securing the Julius Baer Pole Position and taking the Fastest Lap in qualifying and the race. The fastest driver in qualifying is awarded one bonus point. The driver starting from pole gets an extra three points.
During the race, the driver who completes the Fastest Lap also receives one additional point. However, the driver must finish in the top 10 places to gain the Fastest Lap extra point. If not, then the driver in the top 10 with the next fastest lap takes the point.
Race Day Format
Shakedown. At most E-Prix, a shakedown session is held on Friday, the day before the main event. Drivers use this session to check the electronic systems and the reliability of the car, but not overall performance as the cars run at a reduced speed.
At this time, the track layout, kerbs and features can be checked by the FIA, taking into account feedback from the competitors provided in the driver briefing. Power is limited to 110 kW.
Practice
Each event has two practice sessions - an opening 30-minute session followed by a further 30-minute session. This is reduced to only one 30-minute session on the second day of a double-header.
This is the first time the teams and drivers will take to the track under timed conditions as they get a feel for the track and adapt the car set-up. Full power of 250 kW is available to the drivers throughout the practice seasons.
Qualifying and Super Pole Shoot-out
For the 2021/22 season, a new qualifying format featuring Groups and knockout Duels has been introduced allowing the best teams and drivers to showcase their speed and skill. The format maintains the possibility of any driver to start on pole position, ensuring drama and unpredictability throughout.
The Groups stage sees two groups of 11 drivers, ordered based on their Drivers' World Championship position, battling at 220 kW to set lap times each in a 10-minute session, with the fastest four from each progressing into the Duels stage. Those eight will then face off in the quarterfinals, competing against one another head-to-head in a knockout at 250 kW over the last eight into the semi-finals and on to the final.
The winning driver of the final duel takes Julius Baer Pole Position, while the runner-up lines up second. The semi-finalists will line up third and fourth, the quarterfinalists between fifth and eighth - according to their lap times.
The fifth to 12th-placed drivers who competed in the polesitter's group will fill the odd positions on the grid. The corresponding drivers from the other group will be classified in the even grid slots. So, if the polesitter comes from Group 1, the fifth placed driver in Group 1 will line up ninth on the starting grid and the fifth placed driver in Group 2 takes 10th and so on.
The E-Prix
The races, called E-Prix, begin with a standing start, meaning the cars are stationary until the lights go green. The E-Prix lasts for 45 minutes. At the end, once the 45 minutes are up and the leader has crossed the finish line, there's still one more lap to go until the race finishes. Energy management is crucial. As ratified at the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in July 2021, Formula E's all-electric Gen2 cars will be able to use 220 kW of power in Season 8, an increase from 200 kW in Season 7, during races. Power during ATTACK MODE will also increase to 250 kW from 235 kW in Season 7.
Formula E races can now also have additional race time of up to a maximum of 10 minutes added when incidents result in a Safety Car or Full Course Yellow neutralisations during the standard 45-minute plus one lap race.
ATTACK MODE and Fanboost
ATTACK MODE lets every driver pick up an extra hit of power. To fire up ATTACK MODE, drivers will need to arm their car by driving off the racing line and through the Activation Zone. As a reward for taking a slower line through the corner, drivers collect an extra 30 kW of power - raising their total to 250 kW. Drivers that secure the extra speed, can use it for a few laps when they want to race harder, giving them the edge to keep ahead of the competition.
The details of ATTACK MODE (the number, duration and the minimum amount of times drivers can arm it) are decided by the FIA one hour before the race, meaning the teams and drivers only have 60 minutes to decide the race strategy, ushering in more uncertainty and unexpected action.
On top of Attack Mode, there's Fanboost, as voted for by the fans. The five drivers who receive Fanboost are awarded a significant burst of power, which they can deploy in a five-second window during the second half of the race. Fans can vote to Fanboost their favourite driver in the six days leading up to each race.
Double-header
Historically, the majority of Formula E races take place over a single day. However, more recently, some events stretch to two days with double the amount of action. These are referred to as double-headers. The schedules are mirrored from each day, with only one 45-minute practice session on the second day.
Tyres and Allocation
The bespoke 18-inch treaded all-weather tyres used by all teams and drivers are supplied by Michelin. Each driver can't use more than four new rear and four new front tyres for each event. That means they need to make a total of two sets of tyres last from Shakedown all the way to the end of the race.
Charging Times
Charging the car is forbidden during both qualifying and the race, as well as throughout parc ferme and scrutineering. Teams can charge the cars between sessions and during practice.
e-Licence
To enter Formula E, drivers must comply with the following:
Drivers must conduct a specific FIA training session focussing on electrical safety, specific features of the electric Formula E car, as well as reviewing both technical and sporting aspects of the series.
Drivers must have accumulated at least 20 points in the past three years, in conjunction with the FIA points system, used to qualify for a Super Licence. Or, to have previously been holding a Super Licence, or to have participated in at least three events of the previous Formula E Championship.
The champion from the previous season automatically qualifies for a Super Licence the following year.
If these points aren't met, a driver judged by the FIA to have consistently demonstrated outstanding ability in single-seater categories, but with little or no opportunity to qualify, can still participate.
The Cars
With up to 250 kW of power, the Formula Gen2 race car can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and go on to a top speed of 280 km/h.
Gen2 Specifications:
Length: 5160 mm
Width: 1770 mm
Height: 1050 mm
Front track: 1553 mm
Rear track: 1505 mm
Ride height: 75 mm (max)
Wheelbase: 3100 mm
Minimum weight (inc. driver): 903 kg (battery 385 kg)
Maximum power: 250 kW, equivalent to 335 bhp
Race Mode (maximum power available): 220 kW
Maximum power regeneration: 250 kW
Maximum speed: 280 km/h (174 mph)
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 2.8 seconds
