Formula E "massively behind" in Germany, Austria & Switzerland, says Porsche team boss

Florian Modlinger is not satisfied with Formula E's reach in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, saying the championship is "massively behind" compared with other markets. The Porsche Formula E team principal stresses that his criticism is not aimed at German broadcaster DF1, but at Formula E itself. He believes the series needs to build greater awareness and reach in the DACH region – despite seeing families and younger fans as one of its particular strengths.

Speaking exclusively to e-Formula.news, the conversation covered the development of the championship, Gen4 and Formula E's position in the German-speaking market. It is an area where the Porsche team principal believes there is considerable room for improvement. "Quite clearly, it is not satisfactory. We have to work on that in the future."

Modlinger explicitly excludes German broadcast partner DF1 from his criticism. "What I mean by that is not how well DF1 broadcasts and presents Formula E, or the amount of effort they put into it."

DACH region is "massively behind"

Instead, Modlinger believes Formula E itself needs to do more to increase its visibility in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. "It is simply about Formula E globally having to do more in the DACH region, create awareness and achieve greater reach. We are massively behind there compared with other countries and other markets. In my view, something definitely has to happen in the future."

Formula E has experienced several changes to its broadcasting situation in the German-speaking market in recent years. ProSieben withdrew from German coverage at the end of 2023, after which DF1 secured the rights in cooperation with ServusTV, with the broadcasts initially produced by Red Bull Media House. From the 2025/26 season, ServusTV withdrew from Formula E and DF1 began producing the German broadcasts itself. In Austria, the championship was most recently shown on Krone TV.

Formula E is also looking to expand its reach through its new global streaming partnership with Disney+. From Season 13, all sessions will be available on the platform in 144 markets.

Modlinger sees strength among families & younger fans

At the race track, however, Modlinger sees a Formula E audience that differs significantly from what he experienced in other areas of motorsport. "If you look at the spectators in the grandstands, it is quite different from what I was used to in the past," he explains.

"I notice it again and again when new guests or people come to a race. In London, for example, they say to me: 'It's incredible what you see in the grandstands – how many families, how many young people, such a diverse mix.'"

Modlinger believes that is closely connected to Formula E's origins. "I think that is historically rooted and part of Formula E's DNA. The sport was initially brought into city centres in a way that no other racing series was able to do. That gave Formula E the opportunity to reach a different audience."

From Modlinger's perspective, Formula E therefore already has access to a younger and different audience than many traditional motorsport championships. The challenge is to translate that strength into significantly greater reach across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.