Formula E unveils a new sporting format: "E-PrixUnleashed" sprint race & more points in qualifying

At Tuesday’s meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) approved the new sporting format for Formula E’s first season featuring the new Gen4 cars. Qualifying will continue to be split into two parts – a group stage and a duel stage – but will be enhanced by the awarding of significantly more points. In addition, double-headers will generally consist of a 30-minute sprint race and a 45-minute energy-saving race.

Evolution rather than revolution: this is how the racing format with which Formula E intends to launch the Gen4 era can be described. With the introduction of the Gen3 Evo car, the series had already moved to staging two different races over a single race weekend: One race generally involved the pit boost, while the other did not include the mandatory recharging stop.

Different race formats, but identical points system

This will be expanded even further in the coming season: One race of a double-header weekend, known as the E-Prix Unleashed, will be shortened to 30 minutes and take place without a Pit Boost pit stop. Here, the aerodynamic configuration with high downforce will be used. Formula E thus aims to "demonstrate the full, unrestricted performance of the Gen4 car and ensure a completely different, fast-paced racing style", according to the wording of a press release from the racing series.

The second race, which will continue to be called an E-Prix, is set to be a classic 45-minute race in which energy saving takes centre stage. The Pit Boost will also be back for this race. The aerodynamic package with lower downforce will generally be used for this race. Unlike in the Formula 1 World Championship, for example, however, identical points are to be awarded in both races: 25 for the winner, as has been the case to date. The bonus point for the fastest lap among the top 10 is no longer included in the plan, however.

Single-header race weekends will consist of just one E-Prix, not an E-Prix Unleashed. We will therefore see fast-charging pit stops at every Formula E weekend. In both race formats, Attack Mode is set to return, with power increasing from 450 kW to 600 kW.

Formula E intends to move away from holding the first free practice session on the day before the first race. Instead, this day will be officially reclassified as Shakedown Day. Presumably, this will involve only a functional test of the Gen4 cars, during which no lap times will be recorded.

More points in qualifying

The qualifying format, which has proved its worth in Formula E since Season 8, is to be retained: first, there will be group qualifying with two groups; the four fastest drivers from each group will qualify for the duels.

However, one change is that every driver who qualifies for the duels will receive one championship point. In addition, there will be a further championship point for each duel won, plus another point for pole position. In total, a driver can therefore score five points in qualifying.