Formula E: Is the future of F1 electric?

The International Automobile Federation recently unveiled the creation of an electric single-seater championship, named Formula E. The championship is expected to begin in 2014, with the world’s largest cities as its stage.

This project will be managed by Enrique Banuelos, a London-based investor, and Alejandro Agag, who is well-acquainted with motorsport and is notably the owner of the GP2 team Barwa Addax. As for the more technical and mechanical aspect, Lord Drayson will be involved, one of the leaders of Drayson Racing Technologies, a company focused on creating motorsport projects that are environmentally friendly, using bioethanol or electric prototypes.

Another partner for this Formula E championship is Eric Barbaraoux, president of the French company Electric Formula, which notably developed the EF01, an electric single-seater; the latter could serve as the basis for the car that will be used by competitors in 2014.

The goal of Formula E is to conduct tests in 2013 for a first championship starting in 2014, with 10 teams and 20 drivers. The aim is to race the cars in the world’s major cities, and Rio de Janeiro has already submitted an application to host a race as early as 2014. Shanghai, Beijing, Sydney, Moscow, Mexico City, Berlin, Miami, and Los Angeles have also been mentioned as potential candidates.

Jean Todt, President of the FIA, expressed his delight in a statement released by the FIA about the establishment of this new championship: “I would like to thank all the parties involved. This new competition in the heart of major cities will certainly attract a new audience. We are pleased with this agreement with Formula E Holdings as the group has a solid experience in motorsport. This spectacular championship will provide real entertainment as well as a new opportunity to share the FIA’s values and its goals of clean energy and sustainable mobility with a wider and younger audience.”

Same optimism from Alejandro Agag’s side: « We are very happy with the agreement reached with the FIA. We see it as a tremendous opportunity to create an exciting new spectacle combining competition, clean energy, and sustainable development, focused on the future. We hope that this championship will encourage research and development activities around the electric car, a key element of the city of the future. »

Regarding the technical details of the EF01, it is expected to reach 240 km/h. The races should last about an hour, and since the batteries only last 15 to 20 minutes, there will be two mandatory pit stops during which the drivers will have to change cars.

By the start of the championship, tests will be conducted to develop the car that will be used, led by a former F1 driver, Lucas di Grassi, who is working for Pirelli this year. The ex-Virgin driver tested the Formula E prototype a little over two weeks ago and expressed satisfaction with its initial performance, as quoted by PitPass: « Formula E is the future of motorsport. The top speed and acceleration of this car are incredible, and I believe the car will reach an even higher performance level in the years to come. The Formula E prototype is a true race car. The engine torque really impressed me. The car is not easy to drive. It will be a beautiful challenge to race it on city streets. »

For now, no information has been disclosed about the names of interested teams, although a Formula 1 team might get involved in this new discipline: McLaren. Indeed, Martin Whitmarsh, the director of the British team, told *Reuters* that the Woking team might consider entering Formula E: « I think there is a lot of interest… it’s something McLaren would love to be involved in, so we are studying it. Who knows, we might decide to participate. I think we are looking at all sorts of things. I believe it’s a good initiative, and we would be delighted to be involved in any form. »

Beyond the possibility of seeing McLaren field a team, the British manufacturer could also be a technical partner of Formula E.

The Formula E championship will be a standalone championship compared to Formula 1, but who knows what the future holds, and perhaps with the desire to see a greener Formula 1, the two championships might one day merge or come closer together.