Your complete guide to the 2021-22 Formula E season

The 2021-22 FIA Formula E motorsport season kicks off this weekend with a special double header event.

A special circuit around the walls of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia will host the first two rounds of the year.

Now in an eighth season, there have been many driver changes and calendar updates.

If you’re new to Formula E or need to catch up on the latest developments, read on to fully load up.

OK, what exactly is Formula E?

Simply put, it’s the only FIA sanctioned single-seat electric motorsport championship. Imagine Formula 1 style racing cars but powered by batteries and you are on the right track.

The championship started to promote the significant development of electric vehicle technology and to prove that battery power doesn’t have to be boring.

However, the championship is about more than just the novelty of electric racing.

Formula E is now entering its eighth season and is enjoying growing popularity. A total of 11 teams are competing this season, involving several major car manufacturers.

What cars do they use in Formula E?

All teams use the same Spark SRT05e chassis with McLaren Advanced Technology batteries. Reaching 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds with a potential top speed of 174mph means these are serious racers.

Teams can supply and develop their own electric powertrains, but rules are strictly enforced to ensure races are close. Maximum power output for each car is 250 kW (335 hp), reduced to 220 kW (295 hp) in race mode.

The cars do feature aerodynamic wings and spoilers, but these aren’t nearly as complicated as Formula 1’s Eros. This, too, helps the cars drive in close proximity to each other and encourages as many overtakes as possible.

Formula E had planned to introduce a modified car for the 2020/21 season. However, due to the coronavirus, the idea of ​​the GEN2 Evo was put on hold, with an all-new GEN3 car planned for the 2022-23 season instead.

Which car manufacturers are involved in Formula E?

With the spread of electric cars on the road, manufacturers have used Formula E as an opportunity to show the world what they can do.

Five well-known car manufacturers are involved this season. Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, DS Automobiles and Jaguar are all lined up for 2021-22.

Where does Formula E take place?

Formula E’s mission is to bring the action directly to the fans, which means racing takes place on street circuits in major cities around the world.

The tracks used are shorter than those used in Formula 1 but feature tight layouts intended to encourage overtaking. Dramatic backdrops only add to the appeal of the race.

Races in London, Rome, New York and Berlin are planned for the 2021/22 season. See the calendar at the end of this article for the full list.

Is Formula E exciting to watch?

Same machines plus talented riders and compact tracks mean the competition is as tough as you can imagine.

Bumps and bumps on the track are a common occurrence, aided by the cars’ strong design. In fact, one of the reasons Formula E wanted to introduce the GEN2 Evo car was to try and discourage drivers from making contact on track!

Drivers can use “Assault Mode” which sounds like something inspired by Mario Kart. By leaving the racing line to drive through a specially designated area of ​​the track, drivers get a temporary performance boost for their car.

Fans can also vote for their favorite driver via social media in the run-up to each E-Prix. The top five drivers will then receive an additional “fan boost” of power to use in the second half of the race.

Will I know any of the Formula E drivers?

Originally populated with a plethora of ex-F1 racers, the Formula E grid has evolved into a coveted motorsport career choice for a variety of drivers.

The F1 experience is still well represented for 2021-22. Stoffel Vandoorne, Pascal Wehrlein, Sebastien Buemi and Jean-Eric Vergne all previously raced in Formula 1 before switching to electric vehicles.

Antonio Giovinazzi, who has spent three seasons with the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team, is the latest addition to the Formula E grid.

However, the championship is not just about retired F1 drivers. André Lotterer, who drives for Porsche, won the 2012 World Endurance Championship.

New Zealander Nick Cassidy, who drives for Envision Racing, has previously won the Super GT and Super Formula championships.

Which British drivers compete in Formula E?

Sam Bird, who drives for the Jaguar Racing Team, is pictured here winning the second New York ePrix race last year. He led the Championship for much of the 2020-21 season so will look to build on that success in 2022.

Cumbrian-born Oliver Turvey has raced in several championships and is a McLaren F1 test driver. He is partnered in the NIO 333 team for this season by London-born Dan Ticktum.

Barnsley’s own Oliver Rowland is now in his fifth Formula E season and currently drives for the Mahindra team. Formula E race winner Alex Sims will be at his side this year.

Avalanche Andretti driver Jake Dennis returns to Formula E for a second year, having previously competed in the DTM series.

Who is the reigning Formula E champion?

Dutch driver Nyck de Vries won the Drivers’ Championship in the 2020-21 Formula E season.

As a driver of the Mercedes-EQ Formula E works team, de Vries achieved two wins and two more podiums. He edged out Edoardo Mortara, who finished second, and Briton Jake Dennis in third place.

The Mercedes EQ team also won the Team Championship for 2020-21, the first time the German team won the grand prize. Jaguar was second, DS Techeetah third.

What’s new in Formula E for 2021-22?

For the 2021/22 season, the organizers of Formula E have made a number of changes to the race weekend schedule.

In a new qualifying format, riders will be divided into groups, with the fastest going into a duel knockout stage. This will lead to a final shootout with two drivers battling for pole position.

Races can be extended by up to 10 minutes if incidents result in safety car or full course yellow neutralizations. This is in addition to the regular race time of 45 minutes plus one lap.

The cars themselves will also benefit from more power this season. Racing power has been increased from 200kW to 220kW, with ‘Attack Mode’ now offering up to 250kW.

Which safety car does Formula E use?

Another important change for the 2021/22 season is the use of a brand new safety car.

Formula E has previously used the electric BMW i8, with a Mini Electric used for selected rounds last season. In the 2021/22 season, however, the electric Porsche Taycan is leading the field.

With an output of 751 hp (560 kW), the Taycan Turbo S definitely has the speed to react quickly to incidents. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 261 km/h.

The radical livery of the Porsche Taycan Safety Car includes colors from all 11 teams participating in the series, as well as those of the FIA ​​and Formula E.

What does the future of Formula E look like?

The launch of a new third generation ‘GEN3’ Formula E car for the 2022-23 season is the biggest development on the sport’s horizon.

Under GEN3 rules, Formula E would impose exit penalties on manufacturers who leave the series early. This means manufacturers may need to think hard about signing up for the new series.

Audi Sport and BMW left the series at the end of the 2020/21 season. However, both companies remain powertrain suppliers. Mercedes-Benz is also leaving the company at the end of the 2021/22 season.

That means Formula E seems to have to work hard to keep big manufacturers and attract new ones. Maserati has committed to entering the competition with the introduction of GEN3 cars.

How can I watch Formula E?

In the UK, Channel 4 will now broadcast all qualifying sessions and races live.

Viewers in the United States can watch all races live on CBS Sports, with a selection being shown on the CBS Television Network. CBS Sports HQ will offer streaming for practice and qualifying.

Formula E also offers live streaming via their own YouTube channel.

Last year, a 15-part documentary series called Formula E Unplugged was released on the official YouTube channel.

2021-2022 FIA Formula E calendar

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