The TAG Heuer Porsche team arrives in Saudi Arabia with a significant innovation, with the ability to recharge its batteries mid-race in the pit lane using a fast-charging system.
After a successful double podium at the Mexico City E-Prix, both António Félix da Costa, the championship leader, and the reigning world champion Pascal Wehrlein, will once again aim for the podium in Jeddah.
Thomas Preining will take the wheel of the efficient Porsche 99X Electric. The Austrian driver, DTM champion in 2023, will participate in the official rookie session, an opportunity for new drivers in Formula E. Preining has already demonstrated his skill with the single-seater during preseason testing in Berlin.
Since its debut in 2014 in Beijing, Formula E has grown into a global benchmark in sports entertainment.
High Technology
The technological advancement over the years has been impressive. The first-generation single-seaters had 200 kW (270 hp) of power and reached a top speed of 225 km/h.
Now, the latest generation, known as Gen3, has taken the competition to another level with 350 kW (470 hp) and a top speed of 322 km/h.
In just over a decade, Formula E has evolved exponentially, and everything indicates that the future will bring even more groundbreaking innovations, such as the recently introduced “Pit Boost”.
One of the most anticipated innovations is the “Pit Boost”, a fast-charging operation that will be carried out for the first time during the race.
This system allows for injecting 3.84 kWh of energy into the batteries in just 34 seconds, using a 600 kW power supply. Comparatively, the Taycan Turbo GT, used as the safety car in the championship, can charge at 320 kW. The CCS (Combined Charging System) used in Formula E drives competition and influences mass-production technology, being adaptable to both AC and DC charging, and sharing characteristics with road vehicles and electric single-seaters.
