From cyborg wrist to the Gen4 foxtail: the 10 April Fool's jokes from e-Formula.news in review
Tobias Wirtz
April Fools’ jokes have become something of a tradition at e-Formula.news. Since 2016, we have regularly published fake news stories on the German version of the portal, covering everything from technical details to personnel matters and new regulations. Here’s a look back at ten jokes that were always close enough to Formula E reality to sound believable, at least for a moment.
The April Fool's jokes from e-Formula.news are far more than just an annual gag. They also show which topics have been of particular interest to Formula E in the respective years: sometimes technology and regulations, sometimes driver issues, sometimes marketing and public image. This is precisely where its particular appeal lies. After all, anyone who has been following the series for years knows that there is sometimes only a very fine line between a curious-sounding real news item and a well-made April Fool's joke in Formula E.
Aware readers will notice that 2017 is missing from our list: as the Mexico City E-Prix was held on 1 April that year, we decided not to include an April Fool's joke.
2016: Nick Heidfeld's "performance-optimising screw"
e-Formula.news reported on 1 April 2016 that Nick Heidfeld would be racing with a special screw in his wrist after his injury, which should give him more mobility and support with steering movements. The story was a reaction to Heidfeld having to sit out the 2015 Punta del Este E-Prix with a hand injury and being replaced by Oliver Rowland at Mahindra Racing.
No english version of the article available.
2018: Bernie Ecclestone as Formula E consultant
In the 2018 April Fool's Day prank, Bernie Ecclestone of all people was supposed to advise Formula E and help the series to race more frequently on classic circuits. The text thus picked up on two debates that characterised the championship at the time: its future direction and the question of whether the more powerful Gen2 cars could continue to be used on all street circuits - a debate that is currently taking place again in the run-up to the introduction of Gen4.
No english version of the article available.
2019: Nico Rosberg's entry that wasn't one
In 2019, all that remained of the actual April Fool's joke was a reference text. The original article claimed that Nico Rosberg had bought an existing team and was joining Formula E as team principal. The article was later removed at the request of the team concerned: apparently, the team owner found the article less funny than Nico Rosberg himself, as he confessed to us shortly afterwards.
No english version of the article available.
2020: Induction strips instead of fast charging
In 2020, e-Formula.news apparently announced that Formula E was saying goodbye to planned fast-charging pit stops and instead relying on induction strips at the end of the track. Drivers should be able to recharge in a "Recharge Zone" during the race. The article was unmistakably playing on the Gen3 debate at the time, in which new charging concepts were one of the big topics for the future of the series anyway - even if it would be a little longer before the pit boost was introduced.
No english version of the article available.
2021: Sand trick for qualifying
In April 2021, e-Formula.news came up with a new qualifying idea for the Gen3 era: sand should be spread on the track before each group so that conditions were equally bad for all drivers. In terms of content, the text was aimed directly at one of the biggest talking points of those years: criticism of the qualifying format and the disadvantages for top drivers in Group 1. The topic was obviously attractive because it was already the subject of intense discussion in the scene.
No english version of the article available.
2022: Underbody lighting for the Gen3 cars
In 2022, e-Formula.news claimed that the previous LEDs on the halo would disappear with the Gen3 car and instead return as underbody lighting. The story portrayed the new generation of vehicles as even more futuristic and visually spectacular. This was an obvious topic, as the design, presentation and external image of the new cars were already the subject of intense discussion surrounding the upcoming Gen3 launch.
No english version of the article available.
2023: "Lead-Charge" against the tactical chaos
After the race in Sao Paulo 2023, where tactics at the front of the field were a major issue, e-Formula.news wrote a new rule into the Formula E rulebook: those who collect lead laps should be rewarded with additional energy during the fast charging stop. In summary, an adjustment to the regulations in response to a very real sporting discussion topic.
2024: Max Günther misses Misano
In April Fool's Day 2024, e-Formula.news turned a podium visit into an injury story: Maximilian Günther was to miss both races in Misano after a fall on the podium. The topic was deliberately chosen because Günther had actually slipped on the podium in Tokyo, but fortunately remained uninjured and was able to race in Misano.
2025: MrBeast becomes a Formula E regular driver
In 2025, e-Formula.news brought the world-famous YouTuber MrBeast into a regular Cupra Kiro cockpit, giving way to David Beckmann. The reason for this choice of topic is obvious: Formula E had recently allowed influencers to drive the Gen3 Evo cars during the Evo sessions in Miami - but MrBeast was not convincing, spinning and crashing spectacularly into the track barriers.
2026: Foxtails for the Gen4 era
The most recent April Fool's joke so far centred on an alleged extension of the regulations for the Gen4 era in 2026. Manufacturers were to be allowed to add "brand-cultural decorative elements" to their cars, with Opel even talking about a foxtail. This was an obvious topic for a joke, as Opel had recently announced its entry into the electric racing series and Formula E was about to introduce a new generation of vehicles, where adjustments to the regulations are not uncommon.
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