Category: Formula E

Abt Cupra will split from powertrain partner Mahindra at the end of the current ABB Formula E season, the team confirmed ahead of the season-opening Mexico City E-Prix, its 100th race in the series.

The team, which won 14 races, the drivers’ championship with Lucas di Grassi in Season 3 and the teams’ championship the following year, aligned with the Indian brand after making a late decision to return to the series ahead of last season after a year out. The partnership hasn’t been fruitful, however, with the team failing to register a podium for the first time in its history last season.

“We had deep conversations with [Mahindra team principal] Fred Bertrand in the last weeks and months and there were always open discussions, frank discussions and we decided in the end that we wanted to terminate our contract,” Thomas Biermaier, Abt Cupra CEO and team principal, told RACER.

Biermaier expects a replacement supplier to be secured soon, saying, “We’re in negotiations. We have options — we have priorities clearly and now we’re working on it. Hopefully in February or the beginning of March we’ll have solutions and then we can tell you something.”

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Prior to aligning with Cupra, Abt was a long-time partner of another Volkswagen brand, Audi. The Volkswagen Group continues to be represented in Formula E by Porsche, and when asked why the team didn’t go down the seemingly obvious route of inking a supply deal with Porsche, Biermaier said that the team’s late decision to return last season played a part.

“It was not so easy because before Season 9 it was quite a late decision from us to come back to Formula E so there was no opportunity, and now Cupra also decided quite late that they will partner with us,” he said. “Now we’re looking together with Cupra to find a good solution for Season 11.”

Biermaier did, however, rule out Cupra itself — a major player in the EV market in Europe — supplying a powertrain in the short-term.

“For this the time is too late and too short for Season 11, so we will stay as a customer,” he said. “The door’s open in the future but currently we have different priorities. First of all, we want to have a good start this season to have good motivation for the team for the next races, then if we have time in February, we will think about Season 11 a little bit.”

Extreme E has extended its tire supply deal with Continental for the upcoming season, the final one of the battery-electric formula before it switches to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in 2025.

Continental has been a series partner since 2019, two years before the championship’s inaugural season of racing, and has used its position in the series to help develop its consumer products.

For the 2023 season, Continental introduced a new CrossContact tire made up of 43 percent recycled material, including silica obtained from the ash of rice husks, waste material of agriculture, and polyester yarn from recycled PET plastic bottles.

It also recycled the tire into rubber paving stones, 400 square meters of which were used to build a new basketball court in Hannover, Germany, as part of the brand’s push to become the most progressive tire company in terms of environmental and social responsibility and to help it become carbon neutral by 2050 at the latest with the help of circular economy solutions.

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Continental, not only as our founding partner but it is an organization that shares our commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation,” said managing director Ali Russell. “Continental’s continued dedication to creating bespoke tires that perform exceptionally in the world’s harshest terrains aligns perfectly with our mission to drive change through motorsport.

“Their unwavering support plays a pivotal role in the success of Extreme E and the message we aim to convey.”

Claudio Toldi, head of marketing communications EMEA at Continental, added: “We are looking forward to entering another exciting season together with Extreme E. With our tire, the Extreme E CrossContact, we guarantee the participating teams perfect performance on all kinds of surfaces and challenges, no matter where the races take place.

“The electric off-road racing championship series is the ideal platform for us to test new tire technologies and developments before their series launch for the passenger car sector.

“Our latest tire consists of around 43 per cent recycled and renewable materials – in this way we actively shape and contribute to a sustainable motorsport and more environmental awareness.”

Formula E has confirmed the Hyderabad E-Prix will not go ahead after the event was previously thrown into doubt following a change to the local government.

The Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department (MAUD), under the control of the newly-elected government in the Indian state of Telangana, had made Formula E aware that it would not be fulfilling an agreement made back on Oct. 30 to host the race. The race had been scheduled to run on Feb. 10 and was part of a multi-year deal.

Formula E confirmed that it will not be replacing the Hyderabad E-Prix, reducing the upcoming season to 16 races across 10 events. The series also said that it has “been left with no choice other than to formally give notice to MAUD that it is in breach of contract,” and that it is “considering its position and what steps it may take under the Host City Agreement and applicable laws.”

“It is deeply frustrating that we cannot build on the success of the inaugural race last year, which delivered almost $84m USD in positive economic impact to the region,” said Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds. “We are also disappointed for our major Indian partners, particularly Mahindra and Tata Communications.

“Racing in Hyderabad was important to showcase the benefits of adopting electric vehicles in a market where pollution from vehicle engines has a massive impact on public health and the environment.”

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Alberto Longo, co-founder and chief championship officer at Formula E, added, “We are extremely disappointed for the huge motorsport fan base in India. We know that hosting an official motorsport world championship race is an important and prestigious occasion for Hyderabad and the whole country.

“The president of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), Akbar Ebrahim, and his team have been incredibly supportive in bringing Formula E back to Hyderabad. They share our disappointment in the decision of the Government of Telangana, which means that will not happen.”

The 2024 Hyderabad E-Prix would have been the second Formula E race in India in as many years, as well as the only FIA world championship event taking place in the country in 2024. India previously held Formula 1 grands prix at the Budh International Circuit near Greater Noida between 2011-13.

The ABB Formula E Championship season opens Saturday, Jan. 13 in Mexico City.

Formula E has responded to reports that its Hyderabad E-Prix will be canceled for 2024, admitting that it is “concerned the race will not be able to go ahead as planned.”

According to a story by The Race, the second edition of the event — scheduled for Feb. 10 — is being called off after recent local elections resulted in a new administration coming in that wants to focus on other events instead.

In a statement issued by Formula E, the series has acknowledged the reported issue, saying that the new local authority has contacted the series and thrown the event in doubt. Formula E says it is engaging in discussions with the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department — which is now under control of the recently-elected government of the Indian state of Telangana — about the event.

“Following a recent official communication received from the new Government of Telangana, Formula E is seeking urgent clarification of their contractual commitments under the agreement and how it could impact the Hyderabad race,” the statement read. “Based on the content of the letter received, Formula E is concerned the race will not be able to go ahead as planned.

“Formula E’s senior executive team met with the new leadership of the Government of Telangana immediately following elections earlier this month. Discussions have been ongoing since then.”

Formula E touted the significant economic benefits of the inaugural Hyderabad E-Prix, which took place on Feb. 11 this year, which the series says outweighed the costs invested to stage the event both by series organizers and local authorities.

“With the event just a few weeks away and in its final stages of preparation, Formula E, partners and suppliers have already made significant commercial investments in the event,” it said. “The inaugural Hyderabad E-Prix in February this year returned almost $84m USD in positive economic impact to the region, many times more than the overhead costs invested by Formula E and the Government of Telangana.”

With the anticipated cancellation of the Hyderabad E-Prix, there now stands to be a seven-week gap between round three of the season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the next planned race in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 16. The season will begin on Jan. 13 in Mexico City, while further official updates on the status of the Hyderabad E-Prix have been promised “in due course.”

Formula E has started a promotional campaign, declaring “It’s On” ahead of its landmark 10th season.

The lighthearted campaign, a result of a collaboration between Formula E and Uncommon Creative Studio, showcases highlights from Season 9, as well as dropping a number of easter eggs relating to the series and the upcoming season.

It begins with a short film set in a Tokyo antique store, highlighting the upcoming races in the Japanese capital which will mark the first time an FIA World Championship series has raced there.

“The ‘It’s On’ campaign captures what makes Formula E so special,” said Jeff Dodds, Formula E’s chief executive officer. “It’s more than a line, it’s a bold promise of another season of high drama and high excitement motorsport.

“Season 10 is another step towards defining the future of motorsport as we set new standards of innovation, whilst showcasing our commitment to sustainable, high-performance racing. As the only sport certified net zero carbon since inception, we uniquely show the world that high performance motorsport and sustainability can powerfully co-exist.”

Henry Chilcott, Formula E’s chief marketing officer, added: “With eight different champions in nine seasons and a world championship title race that has gone down to the last race weekend for the last three seasons, Formula E delivers the world’s most competitive motorsport.

“In our 10th anniversary year, this campaign celebrates our championships’ fiercely competitive DNA and invites motorsport fans all over the world to experience Formula E and see what true competition looks like. Season 10. It’s on.”

Formula E’s 10th season will kick-off in Mexico City on January 13.

Formula E might only be in the second year of its Gen3 formula, but attention is already turning to what will come next with the announcement of suppliers for the all-electric series’ four iteration of car.

The Gen4 car, which will be introduced at the start the series’ 13th season in 2026-27, will follow the experimental GENBETA car (pictured above) that was showcased earlier this year. That car, effectively an “unlocked” Gen3 car featured an increased battery output of 400kW (up from 350kW), a new softer racer tire that warmed up quicker and offered increased peak grip, and 3D printed bodywork elements.

“GEN3 brings a host of innovations, but we’re committed to going a step beyond. We’re already thinking of the evolution we can bring through the four-year cycle,” FIA technical manager and GEN3 Project Lead Alessandra Ciliberti said upon the Gen3 cars launch last year. “We’re investigating using the front powertrain kit in traction as well as regen to allow for four-wheel drive-in specific scenarios and then looking even further to GEN4 we have to ensure Formula E remains at the forefront as the laboratory for future mobility.

“We will work through and understand the challenges the manufacturers face from a technical perspective to make sure it remains the perfect platform for them.”

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Gen4 will once again be produced by Spark Racing Technologies, who have built the chassis for each generation so far.

Batteries, however, will come from Podium Advanced Technologies, replacing WAE. The Italian company has extensive motorsport experience, including working with Glickenhaus on its Nurburgring and Le Mans Hypercar projects. Marelli will continue to work with Formula E in supplying the front powertrain to all teams, the rear again being supplied by individual OEMs.