Formula E is experiencing its best moment since it was created in 2014. Although it is true that 2020 meant a hindrance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the category has managed to overcome adversity and in 2021 it made its debut as a World Championship of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
With the foundations of world competition laid, the organizers are not satisfied and want to continue growing in motor sport. This was announced by Alberto Longo, co-founder of Formula E, in statements to Mexican media, regarding the E-Prix that was held in Puebla last weekend.
He stressed that the tournament’s pretensions are to play races in more cities than the current format has. “We want to go to a number of 18 races in season 9, but not in season eight. That will be a transition campaign where we will have between 15 and 16 races,” he said.
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Longo announced that next season it will have between two or three new venues, although he could not confirm which ones they will be. “The FIA World Motor Racing Council meets in July and I will present the calendar. I imagine they will approve it and we will announce it in July,” he said.
He stressed that the main car brands are in tune with the message that Formula E wants to spread, so they work hand in hand for the growth of the series. “All the big builders are currently fully aligned with us and with our platform to promote electric mobility.”
Gen3 implementation
Among other aspects that Longo touched during the race in Puebla was the third generation or Gen3, which will govern from harvest number nine and will allow the cars to be much more powerful.
Although the details have not yet been specified, it is known that the teams that have already committed to it include Nissan, Porsche and 333 Racing, in a technology network that will be supplied by the ABB company.
Image: fiaformulae.com
“In the sports part, the Gen3 will make Formula E much cooler than it is today without changing its competitive DNA,” said Longo.
“The cars have to be very similar and the drivers have to have the real difference.
“That is an absolutely key element and one that makes us very attractive to the general public,” added.
Women as a part of the series
Unlike the nascent Extreme E, Formula E has not yet been able to secure a broad participation of women on the drivers’ grid. According to Longo, the problem is that the number of girls who start practicing this sport is still much lower compared to boys.
“What is needed is more female fans and much more investment from championship promoters to facilitate entry for women,” he considered.
Image: fiaformulae.com
In the seven Formula E seasons that have been contested, only three women have competed: the Italian Michela Cerruti, the Swedish Simona de Silvestro and the British Katherine Legge.
Cerruti and Legge only participated in the series’ inaugural campaign and scored no points; while Silvestro competed the following season and scored points twice.
Written by I Jhonattan González
