All the changes at a glance: What is new ahead of the Formula E season opener 2024/25 in Sao Paulo?

More than 18 weeks have passed since the 2024 Formula E season finale in London, where Pascal Wehrlein secured his first world championship title. The new 2024/25 season begins in a few days' time with the Sao Paulo E-Prix (7 December). You haven't been following the news too closely over the past few months? No problem - here is an overview of the most important changes.

Lola on board: new manufacturer & team constellations

Newcomers will be surprised to learn what has happened to the ABT cars, as title sponsor Cupra has quietly left Formula E. Instead, the team now calls itself Lola Yamaha ABT, competes as an independent new manufacturer and no longer races under the German flag, but under the British one. As ABT did a few years ago, they sold their Formula E licence - then to Audi, now to Lola. However, the Allgäu-based company will continue to act as the operational team.

As a result, Indian manufacturer Mahindra Racing no longer has a customer team and can concentrate fully on its own works team. Porsche, on the other hand, suddenly even has a third customer team now: Kiro Race Co. The team previously known as "ERT" has found a new owner from the USA, relinquished its manufacturer status and concluded a powertrain deal with Porsche. Instead of the new Gen3 Evo motor, however, Kiro will have a slightly modified version of the powertrain that Porsche and Andretti have used in the past two seasons.

Kiro introduced an eye-catching neon yellow livery, and the Porsche works team now also looks completely different: The team from Zuffenhausen is shining in purple. While the DS Penske team will be driving in black with gold accents from now on - very similar to its special livery from the 2024 Monaco E-Prix - Jaguar has not yet presented a new design, but could still surprise in the coming days after a fundamental re-branding of the Jaguar Group...

Maserati has not only found a new team principal in Cyril Blais, but also recently announced its long-term commitment to Formula E until at least 2030. After Jaguar, Nissan, Porsche, Lola and Maserati, only the manufacturers Mahindra and DS Automobiles are now without a "ticket" for the Gen4 era.

3 new regular drivers, 1 rookie

In the eleventh Formula E season - yes, the electric series celebrated its tenth anniversary in September - three drivers will be given a permanent cockpit for the first time. Taylor Barnard takes over for Jake Hughes at McLaren, after the Briton impressed as a replacement for Sam Bird last season. David Beckmann also gets his chance: the young German took over the cockpit from Sergio Sette Camara at Kiro during pre-season testing and has obviously convinced the team of his abilities. The connection between Kiro and its powertrain supplier is also likely to have played a role in Porsche driver Beckmann being given a regular cockpit.

The only rookie of the new season is Zane Maloney. The youngster from Barbados has already tested for Andretti in Formula E on various occasions and was given a cockpit at Lola.

There were also a few regular transfers between the teams: Nico Müller moved from ABT to Andretti, replacing Norman Nato. The Frenchman in turn joined Nissan, whereupon Sacha Fenestraz had to leave Formula E. Max Günther went from Maserati MSG Racing to sister team DS Penske. As Jehan Daruvala had to leave Maserati, the Monaco-based team is the only one with a completely new line-up: Stoffel Vandoorne (previously DS Penske) and Jake Hughes (previously McLaren).

Technology: new Gen3 Evo car & Pit Boost

After the first two Gen3 years, a new car will be used in Formula E - again for two seasons. The so-called Gen3 Evo has all-wheel drive for the first time, which accelerates the electric racing car from 0 to 100 km/h in 1.86 seconds - faster than a Formula 1 car! The all-wheel drive mode can be used at the start, in Attack Mode and in qualifying duels.

In addition, Hankook has developed a significantly softer tyre which, together with the all-wheel drive, will ensure faster lap times. Last but not least, the bodywork of the Formula E cars has also changed slightly, particularly in the area of the car nose.

No official decision has yet been made, but it is likely that the much-discussed fast-charging pit stops will be introduced this season after a two-year delay - but probably not at the start of the season. The 30-second charging process, which is now officially called "Pit Boost", could be used at one of two races at all double-header weekends. A test race with Pit Boost at the pre-season test went largely without problems.

Improvised pre-season testing in Madrid

Forced by the severe storms in the Valencia region, Formula E had to move this year's collective test to the Circuito del Jarama near Madrid at short notice. Jaguar driver Mitch Evans set the fastest lap time of the week. Porsche and, above all, the new customer team Kiro also impressed: Dan Ticktum finished second in the weekly classification ahead of world champion Pascal Wehrlein, who will be driving with the number 1 from now on. David Beckmann in the second Kiro was fourth fastest.

For the first time, Formula E also organised a women's test in Madrid, in which all teams had to field at least one female driver. British driver Abbi Pulling set the fastest time for the Nissan works team. We have written down our most important learnings from pre-season testing in a separate article.

Sporting regulations: manufacturers' world championship & longer training sessions

As is the case every year, Formula E has made a number of changes to its Sporting Regulations. Probably the most important: the manufacturers' trophy introduced during the previous season has become an official FIA World Championship classification. As a result, Formula E has slightly adjusted the points calculation.

Only the two best-placed cars per manufacturer score points for the world championship. The remaining two to four cars from the same manufacturer are excluded from the classification, meaning that the casr from the other manufacturers may move up. In contrast to last season's "Manufacturers' Trophy" regulations, the bonus points for pole position and the fastest race lap no longer count towards the Manufacturers' Championship.

Another important change: the free practice sessions at an E-Prix will now last 40 minutes each, instead of 30 minutes. However, nothing will change for qualifying and the race.

Race calendar: new circuits in Saudi Arabia & USA

In mid-October, Formula E published its final racing calendar for the 2024/25 season. The series has not managed to fill the long break between the races in Saudi Arabia (15 February) and the USA (12 April). Fans will once again have to endure a long dry spell.

Both of the mentioned two countries will have new venues: In Saudi Arabia, Formula E is moving from Diriyah to Jeddah, where it will race on a shortened version of the F1 circuit. In the USA, the host city will no longer be Portland, but Miami. However, the track will not be the former street circuit from 2015, but the classic race track Homestead International Speedway.

Monaco and Tokyo will become a double-header with two races per weekend for the first time, while Jakarta returns to the calendar. The Berlin E-Prix will not take place until July 2025, while London will once again host the season finale. This time, the new season starts before the turn of the year - on 7 December in Sao Paulo, Brazil.