FIA amends Formula E Technical Regulations for Gen4: New rules for brakes, hydraulics & CAD data

The FIA has amended the Technical Regulations for Formula E's first Gen4 season. The changes affect the braking system, hydraulics, skid block and new requirements for CAD data during homologation, among other areas. e-Formula.news takes a detailed look at all of the latest changes.

Unlike the recently amended Sporting Regulations, the changes here consist primarily of technical clarifications and additional compliance requirements.

Article 3: Homologation procedure

Manufacturers will now have to deposit CAD data for various manufacturer-supplied components with the FIA during homologation inspections. These include the rear casing, hydraulic block or blocks, suspension members, rocker and driveshafts. The list is explicitly non-exhaustive.

The FIA therefore receives digital reference models that can be used to check whether the components actually fitted to the car comply with the homologated specification.

Article 4: Bodywork & dimensions

The measurement procedure for the skid block, a wear element fitted underneath the car, has been clarified. After a Competition, it must still have a minimum thickness of 3 mm. The regulations now explicitly state that the measurement is taken at the periphery of any of the seven specified holes over an area of 5 mm.

Article 8: Electrical equipment & safety provisions

With a gear engaged, the "Ready-to-Move" light and the rain light must now flash not only when regenerative power exceeds 15 kW, but also when brake pressure exceeds 5 bar. In this state, both lights remain on for 125 ms and off for 125 ms.

A new state has also been added: If the car is moving while battery power is below 5 kW, both lights flash on and off in 250 ms intervals. This is likely to apply particularly in phases when the driver lifts off the accelerator.

Article 9: Transmission systems

Only one word has changed here, although the technical difference is relevant: The maximum hydraulic pressure for the differential is now specified as 130 bar relative pressure, whereas the previous version referred to absolute pressure. Relative pressure uses ambient atmospheric pressure as its zero reference, while absolute pressure is measured relative to a vacuum.

Article 11: Brake system

The permitted maximum pressure in the hydraulic brake system is likewise now specified as 130 bar relative rather than absolute pressure.

Brake cooling has also been newly regulated. When the wheels are fitted to the car, only the front brakes may be cooled. This may only be done by blowing ambient air into the brake cooling duct.

Article 12: Hydraulic system

As in Articles 9 and 11, the maximum hydraulic pressure of 130 bar is now measured as relative rather than absolute pressure.