3 seconds faster lap times: Formula E drivers are delighted with the improved performance of the Gen3 Evo

Three seconds faster than in July! The changes made by Formula E to the Gen3 Evo for the eleventh season appear to have achieved the desired lap times. The drivers are very satisfied with the performance of the new vehicles. In particular, the front motor, which has been activated for the first time, has been more than well received.

After the pre-season tests were moved from Valencia to Madrid, the Sao Paulo E-Prix was the first opportunity to compare the lap times of the new Gen3 Evo cars with those of the Gen3 cars used so far. As Formula E raced in Brazil in March (Gen3) and December (Gen3 Evo), it is particularly clear how much faster the cars have become in recent months.

The figures show a clear performance boost: the lap times in 350 kW mode were around three seconds faster, the average speed rose from around 145 to more than 151 km/h, an increase of around four per cent. However, this difference may be different on the other tracks.

Video: Gen3 vs. Gen3 Evo

It is particularly impressive to see the two vehicles in direct comparison. This is exactly what Formula E did after qualifying with Pascal Wehrlein's lap in the final duel. The reigning Formula E world champion put his Porsche 99X Electric on pole position in both races and was exactly 2.938 seconds faster with the Gen3 Evo.

See the difference for yourself as we ride onboard @PWehrlein's pole laps! ?#SaoPauloEPrix pic.twitter.com/WbaykYm1Mg

- Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) December 7, 2024

It is noticeable that the difference at 350 kW is around one second greater. While the difference in normal mode at 300 kW is due to the new drives as well as the softer Hankook tyres and external influences, including the track temperature or the resurfacing of parts of the circuit by the Anhembi Sambadrome, there are other technical reasons for the 350 kW mode.

In addition to the activated front engine, which ensures that the drivers also have to adjust their line choice in the corners, this is also due to the traction control system, which is being authorised in Formula E for the first time: sensors measure how fast the wheels of the vehicle are turning and compare this with the speed of the vehicle. If a wheel spins during acceleration, the electronics reduce the power delivered to the affected wheel until grip is regained.

A well-configured traction control system provides an advantage of several tenths of a second per lap, depending on the track, because it can work much more precisely than a driver with his foot on the pedal. For example, the then Williams test driver Damon Hill is said to have complained during the first Formula 1 test with traction control in 1991 that the electronics were slowing him down - but the lap time with traction control was a whole second faster at the same time.

"The best change for this year"

In any case, the drivers are very pleased with the improvement in performance: "I think Hankook has done a very good job because we have a tyre that is faster in qualifying and offers more grip," Max Günther told e-Formula.news in Madrid.

"All-wheel drive is the best change for this year," said champion Pascal Wehrlein to Il Messaggero. "The four-wheel drive is bringing up an excitement and I think all the drivers have positive feedback about that," agreed Oliver Rowland at our microphone.

We will see on 11 January 2025 whether the lap times have also improved to a comparable extent on other circuits. Formula E will then contest its second race of the season, the Mexico City E-Prix.