"I'm addicted to Formula E!" - DS Penske manager Phil Charles gives insights into the future of the electric series

Phil Charles is one of the most important minds when it comes to technology and innovation within the Formula E cosmos. Since March, the Brit has been acting as Deputy Team Principal for DS Penske. At the pre-season test for season 11 in Madrid, Charles spoke to e-Formula.news about his ongoing fascination with Formula E and gave some interesting insights into the influence of new innovations on future races.

"I came into Formula E with the motive of only staying for six months and then moving on to another racing series, but now I'm completely addicted," Charles explains in an interview with us. "I'm addicted to the powertrains and the fact that the drivers make such a big difference. And that it's such a small team where every individual has a massive impact!"

Charles expects big differences between Gen3 & Gen3 Evo

The Brit's pure passion for Formula E is undeniable, also because there is also a lot of finesse in the technology. According to Charles, three innovations for the 2024/25 season will fundamentally change Formula E: "We're getting four-wheel drive, which will make Attack Mode much stronger. In recent seasons it felt like a penalty, this year it will become a strategy tool again."

In addition to the four-wheel drive, the tyres are also set to become more strategically interesting in future: "Until now, the tyres were not very demanding, but this year's tyres have a smaller temperature window and clear wear. The lap times will change significantly over longer distances." Charles also speculates that saving tyres will become important in the practice sessions.

The biggest innovation, however, will be the renamed Pit Boost, which was recently tested in a race simulation in Madrid. However, so-called peloton racing, a racing dynamic that has recently been viewed very critically, will also be part of normality in season 11: "Peloton will not disappear. As soon as you drive in the slipstream, you will continue to be able to recover more energy. That will remain the case for the time being."

Sufficient options for innovation even after 2025

The Gen3 Evo development was a big step for Formula E and raises questions about the dimensions to which the next innovations of the Gen4 era will rise. Charles dismisses speculation that the chassis design will pass into the hands of the teams for the time being: "There is currently more than enough interesting technology for us to work with. And we are not 1,000 people like in Formula 1."

The Deputy Team Principal of DS Penske does not deny his own interest in working with chassis, but he sees Formula E as an important pioneer in other areas. For the time being, he would continue to focus on the powertrain, which still has plenty of room for further development: "Only when we can no longer take any major steps in the technology we have would it be possible to change the scenario somewhat."

We will see how Phil Charles and his DS Penske team fare in the new Gen3 Evo era from 7 December, when the season 11 opener takes place in Sao Paulo.