Formula E plans full Mexico circuit for Gen4: Wehrlein calls current track "too small"

Formula E is set for a major track layout change at the Mexico City E-Prix. With the start of the Gen4 era, the electric racing series is reportedly planning to use the full version of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the first time. FE Notebook reports this based on recent FIA simulations. However, an additional temporary chicane could be installed on the long start-finish straight.

The significantly faster Gen4 cars are creating new challenges for the FIA and Formula E when it comes to circuit design. Extensive simulations are therefore currently being used to assess which track configurations are suitable for the new generation of cars.

For Mexico, the decision is believed to have been made in principle in favor of the full circuit. The Formula E layout used so far includes a shortcut in the start-finish area, which would no longer be required in its current form if the championship switches to the full circuit. However, the exact configuration has apparently not yet been finalized. According to the report, an additional temporary chicane could be installed on the long start-finish straight to provide sufficient opportunities for energy regeneration.

FIA confirms new track layout for Mexico

Pablo Martino, who is responsible for the Formula E World Championship at the FIA, did not want to confirm the exact configuration at the season finale in London. However, speaking to Formula E Notebook, he made it clear that the circuit will change.

"I cannot tell you what is the version that we are using at Mexico but it will be different to what we have seen in Formula E up to now," says Martino. "We will use different circuit layouts and it will be new circuit layouts for everybody in most racetracks."

At some venues, the differences compared with last season will be greater than at others. Martino says he cannot reveal further details yet because Formula E is still investigating several aspects.

Wehrlein: Current circuit "too small for the Gen4 car"

Pascal Wehrlein also supports a significant change in Mexico. The two-time Formula E World Champion is part of the driver group dealing with circuit-specific topics alongside Oliver Rowland and Lucas di Grassi.

"We had a very positive meeting a couple of weeks ago and we all share our experiences and have expectations of where we could improve things, so I'm well aware of how the tracks could be next season," says Wehrlein.

In Mexico in particular, he believes the current layout is no longer suitable given the performance of the Gen4 car. "If it's the same venue but a different track layout, I think in Mexico's case the car needs it, the full track."

"The old Mexico track is too small for the Gen4 car, so surely we will see different layouts in the future, which improve and showcase the Gen4 car and its speed and acceleration for the better."

Gen4 changes requirements for Formula E circuits

The FIA uses simulations to determine which circuit modifications are necessary. Alongside safety, factors such as energy regeneration, race duration, lap length and expected driving behavior also play a role.

"If they are not in that range, we try to propose solutions to Formula E on the track construction in order to bring these parameters back to an acceptable frame," explains Martino.

The FIA is also taking lessons from the sometimes extreme peloton-style racing of the Gen3 era into account. With the more aerodynamically efficient Gen4 car, the FIA expects drivers to have less incentive to deliberately remain in the slipstream.

"We are also working on lift-off range that doesn't put the championship in a situation that it goes beyond what could be acceptable from a spectacle point of view," says Martino. "And that's a job that has nothing to do with safety, it's purely on raceability of the circuits."