"Most ambitious innovation for motorsport as a whole" - Formula E publishes details of new Pit Boost

Finally on Thursday, Formula E and the FIA officially confirmed the Pit Boost this season and at the upcoming Jeddah E-Prix. The electric series provided some technical details on how the new fast-charging pit stops will work. Those responsible expressed their euphoria.

As reported, the Pit Boost, which was originally due to make its debut at the start of the Gen3 era in Mexico on 14 January 2023, will always be used on one of the two days of all "double headers" this season - for the first time at the E-Prix in Jeddah (14/15 February 2025). However, Formula E has left it open as to which of the two race days the drivers will have to come to the pits to recharge.

Each driver must complete a mandatory stop once during the race, while a team may not/can't bring both drivers in at the same time as there is only one charger per team. Should this device fail, there will probably be two reserve chargers from the FIA in the pit lane that can be used in this case.

21 days before each race, the FIA intends to announce the "Pit Boost window", which is based on the percentage SOC (Status of Charge) of the battery. For example, drivers will only be allowed to pit within a window of between 60 and 40 per cent rest energy.

Fast-charging pit stops with 600 kW

A minimum stop time of 34 seconds has been set for the pit stop. During this time, the batteries are charged with 600 kW of power and receive 3.85 kWh of energy, which corresponds to ten per cent of the battery capacity. A maximum of two mechanics are allowed to work directly on the car during the charging process, plus one "lollypop man" who stops the car and releases it again.

Contrary to original plans, the Pit Boost is completely independent of Attack Mode, which can still be activated from lap 2 in the Attack Zone. The charging process is intended to increase the average racing speeds of Formula E because the drivers have to recuperate less and can go flat-out more often. The extent to which the Pit Boost will lead to longer race distances remains to be seen.

"After an extensive testing and simulation process, we are delighted to finally be able to present this ground-breaking technology to the world," says Alberto Longo, co-founder and Chief Championship Officer of Formula E - more than two years after the first fast-charging tests. "It is one of the most ambitious and impactful innovations not only for our series, but for all of modern motorsport."

"Pushing the boundaries of electric mobility once again"

The Pit Boost will present teams and drivers with the challenge of making decisions under great pressure, the Spaniard is certain. "The potential for dramatic overtakes, unexpected twists and ingenuity will increase the excitement for our fans and once again underline the commitment of Formula E and the FIA to innovation."

"As a series created to improve the transfer of technology from the race track to the road, this marks an important step forward for the future potential of electric cars," said Longo. Marek Nawarecki, Senior Circuit Sport Director of the FIA, also believes that the Pit-Boost can "once again push the boundaries of electric mobility".

It remains to be seen what effect the Pit Boost will have on racing dynamics. Many expect even greater chaos than before, because the drivers are likely to lose around a minute due to the long stop time plus pit entry and exit, which could tear the field apart. We'll know more in just over three weeks.