Google+ Jack Leslie F1: What’s next for Formula E?

23 May 2016

What’s next for Formula E?

There is no denying the fact Formula E has made an immediate impact, thanks to its strong driver line-up, exciting racing and diverse social media coverage. 
© FIA Formula E
Currently in its second season, it continues to go from strength to strength but what is next for the all-electric championship? 

Formula E has enjoyed a positive start to life in the world of motorsport and has been welcomed by many with open arms. The fan-friendly nature and spectacular locations bring single-seater racing to the centre of the world’s biggest cities, including London, Berlin and Mexico City. 

It has its fair share of critics too but I’m certainly not one of them. The racing has proved to be just as action-packed as other top categories and the technology really is incredible. What’s even more electrifying is the fact there is still so much more to explore and do with Formula E. The machinery is still in a very young, early stage and the championship looks set to rapidly develop over the next few years. 
© FIA Formula E

A big draw for Formula E has been the number of top drivers racing in the series, who have a rich and varied amount of experience in categories like Formula 1, the FIA World Endurance Championship and IndyCar. Having the likes of Sebastien Buemi, Lucas di Grassi, Jean-Eric Vergne, Antonio Felix da Costa, Bruno Senna and many more talented racers involved is a major coup. 

Bringing single-seater racing to the city centre streets has also helped open the doors to lots of potential new fans, while its extensive, evolving and broad use of online outlets and social media has given the series a lively, modern identity and brought people closer to the drivers, teams, cars and personalities involved. 

But while there is a lot to like about the series, it is clear there is plenty more to come and I’m excited to see just where the Formula E journey takes us. It’s pretty special to see something develop and grow from the very start. Visiting new locations should surely be a priority, spreading the word about the championship, and the organisation of the races will naturally develop over the next few years. 

The most exhilarating aspect of Formula E is the technology involved and just how this will progress in the coming seasons. The cars are quick, look striking and are a challenge to drive, but they need to be faster and need to last the entire race. Currently drivers have to switch cars mid-way through the event due to battery restrictions but plans are already in place to change this. 

Williams currently supplies the battery but the FIA opened up a tender for battery and chassis manufacturers for season five onwards earlier this year. This is in the hope of bringing in batteries that last the whole race. Removing this limitation is a crucial element for Formula E, as I’m really not a fan of the current car changes and pit stops. 
© FIA Formula E

 Formula E is also hoping manufacturers can produce their own batteries in the future, giving teams to option to run their own or a standard system. Currently powertrains are open for manufacturers, with the rules being unlocked up for this season, and bringing in more chances for manufacturers to get involved and create their own parts (while still keeping costs low) is an exciting prospect for the series. 

Another frustrating area is the number of driver swaps during a season. Perhaps it is unavoidable but clashes with other events mean there are regular changes to the grid in Formula E, as other drivers have to head elsewhere to complete prior commitments. Rules were brought in for season two to try and prevent this and it has helped, but there is still too much movement. I’d rather see a driver develop over a season than see a few good racers make one-off appearances. 

The cars themselves are tricky to master, the drivers have made that clear many times. And that’s good for us, we see mistakes and it adds to the drama. But they need to be quicker and laptimes need to be cut, to create more theatrical racing and improve the overall spectacle. It will also be useful for the development of electric technology and further prove what can be done. 

There were plans to bring in a power increase for season three, but this has been delayed to season four, with a partial increase before further power boosts for the following year. This is a welcome change and hopefully it will have a positive impact on the on-track action too. 

The cars themselves and the on-track action will surely improve and evolve over the years, something that is already thriving is Formula E’s use of social media and modern technology. It has started to embrace the video gaming world, including Virtual Reality, and has thriving accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and Instagram. It is really tapping into these industries, as it looks to inspire and captivate young motorsport fans. 
© FIA Formula E

With F1’s relatively slow uptake to social media, it is refreshing to see Formula E taking risks and using the networks to their full effect, with race highlight videos, clips, behind-the-scenes access and more insight into the drivers themselves. It is much more open and this has helped bring fans much closer to the series. 

Other things like the stunning podium ceremonies, fan-friendly qualifying format and one-day event are all things that would be good additions to other championships. Other categories like F1 can learn from Formula E, just as the electric series can take from other categories too. It’s exciting to think about the future for Formula E and I’m sure there are many more plans in the pipeline. But so far, I’m enjoying the journey. 

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