Formula E season opener at the Sambadrome - Preview of the 2024 Sao Paulo E-Prix

The Formula E season opener is just around the corner. Next Saturday (7 December), the eleventh season will start - for the first time in Sao Paulo. In Brazil, we will therefore gain the first insights into which of the eleven teams has best implemented the concept of the new Gen3 Evo car and can also handle the new dynamics of the all-wheel-drive Attack Mode. Especially as it could rain! World champion Pascal Wehrlein competes with the number 1 - the goal is to defend the title!

Where is the Formula E race taking place?

For the third time now, Formula E is travelling to Sao Paulo. With 12.4 million inhabitants, the metropolis is the most populous in Brazil, but not the capital. Sao Paulo is the southernmost stop on this year's Formula E race calendar. The circuit itself is located in the northern part of the city centre.

The highlight of the circuit is the start-finish straight. It is located directly in the Anhembi Sambadrome - an event location that is particularly well known for its carnival celebrations. Other racing series have also raced here. The IndyCar Series visited in 2013, but only Formula E is worth mentioning most recently.

Fast Facts | Sao Paulo

• Formula E has only ever held two races in Brazil, although Rio de Janeiro was already on the provisional race calendar before the first year of the championship. However, there have always been at least two Brazilian drivers in the field since season 1. Season 11 will be the first season with only one Brazilian driver: Lucas di Grassi.
• The two races so far have been won by Mitch Evans and Sam Bird. They are also the only two drivers to have finished on the podium in both years: Evans finished second behind Bird in the last race, while Bird was third in the penultimate race.
• Lucas di Grassi only finished 13th in both years and has yet to score points in his home country. It was not a good place for compatriot Sergio Sette Camara either: he first finished second last, then was even disqualified in the second race.

Who is broadcasting the Formula E race in Sao Paulo on TV & livestream?

The Sao Paulo E-Prix is scheduled as one of just a few single headers this season. The sole race day is therefore Saturday, 7 December, although the first free practice session will be held on Friday as usual. Due to the time difference to Brazil, qualifying and the second practice session will start at midday, while the race and the first practice session will take place in the European evening.

Coverage of the qualifying and race sessions depend on the region you're in. e-Formula.news offers free Formula E live streams for the free practice sessions though. Here's the schedule for the weekend (CET).

 
All data in Central European Time (CET)

What characterises the race track in Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is one of the high-speed circuits on the calendar. The surface on the almost three-kilometre-long track alternates between asphalt and concrete. The track is characterised above all by several long straights, which offer good overtaking opportunities with the subsequent turns 1, 4, 7 and 10. However, the long straights also increase the effect of slipstreaming, which is why there are likely to be some tactical games and many changes of position again this year.

With a total length of around 745 metres, the start/finish straight is the longest full-circle passage on the current Formula E calendar. Consequently, a new top speed record was set here last year. The Attack Zone can still be found in turn 3.

What has happened since the season finale in London?

A lot has happened during the season break. The biggest innovation is the Gen3 Evo car, which features aerodynamic improvements and softer tyres as well as all-wheel drive for the first time. In addition to the technology, there are three new full-time drivers: Taylor Barnard (McLaren), David Beckmann (Kiro) and Zane Maloney (Lola). There have also been changes to the teams: ERT has become Cupra Kiro and now uses Porsche powertrains, while ABT now works for the new manufacturer team Lola Yamaha.

You can find an overview of all the important changes and events of recent months here - get up to date before the start of the season!

What will the weather be like in Sao Paulo?

In Sao Paulo, it's pretty wet this week! However, at the moment - a good four days beforehand - it looks as if the Formula E sessions will remain surprisingly dry. However, the conditions change all the more quickly in the warm southern climate. It remains to be seen whether the temperatures in the high 20s will be joined by rain.

Who are the favourites?

It's probably never been harder to guess who the favourites for the most points are than at the start of the season. However, it can be assumed that Jaguar and Porsche in particular will continue to set the pace. Mitch Evans in particular has enjoyed some success on the Sao Paulo circuit so far - it would certainly not be completely out of line to label him as the favourite. But Pascal Wehrlein also proved that Porsche can compete with last year's pole position.

In addition, Cupra Kiro is now another Porsche customer team that could potentially fight for victories. And then there are the Nissan cars - last year, Sam Bird won in a McLaren.

It will be interesting to see who has best erased the gap to Porsche and Jaguar. DS Penske was satisfied with the test in Madrid and could attack again, as could Stellantis sister Maserati. The new powertrain from Lola Yamaha ABT, on the other hand, is a completely unknown quantity and could surprise. Mahindra was also happy with its off-season - perhaps surprise results will become even more frequent this season.