Satirical look into the crystal ball: This is how the electric motorsport year 2026 will unfold

New year, new crystal ball. As always, we predict with almost dizzying accuracy what will definitely (not) happen in electric motorsport in 2026. While the focus of Formula E continues to shift away from the sporting side of things, PR campaigns are keeping everyone in a good mood. A new TV deal for Germany falls through at the last second. Please keep in mind his article is satire - all content is fictitious.

The Google Cloud Sao Paulo E-Prix in December was a complete success. The grandstands at the start and finish line were certainly more than a third full! Event sponsor Google is delighted and is developing a breathtaking concept for the next race in Sao Paulo together with the various British creative agencies of Formula E: it is to take place entirely in the Google Cloud and work completely without spectators.

At the Miami E-Prix on the new F1 circuit at Hard Rock Stadium, the sport takes a back seat. MrBeast is on site and distributes his chocolate bars throughout the paddock. Following the success of the Evo Sessions just over a year ago, this time the YouTuber is allowed to crash Formula E's unbranded demo car so that all the teams can use the video material on social media. Kiro is not pleased that MrBeast is no longer part of the team, but quickly puts an alternative plan together: Bianca Bustamante is to drive the Kiro into the wall this year.

Another premiere is on the programme in March: the first Madrid E-Prix. The race weekend will be the big cousin meeting of the Agags and Longos. The sport is pushed even further into the background, giving way to wild parties before and after the race. As Madrid is unfortunately not by the sea, Formula E has a lake dug out by the track so that the VIPs and relatives can celebrate on a yacht.

Formula E becomes a one-make cup

After six months of silence, Extreme H is back with a two-liner on social media: following the World Cup 2025 with a single race, the series wants to maintain the successful format and is announcing the next race for the end of 2028. The serie is currently in very promising talks with sponsors who are already interested, it says.

In May, Citroen announces its withdrawal from Formula E. As DS also pulls the plug before the Gen4 era, eight teams remain. CEO Jeff Dodds emphasises that there are opportunities to increase the starting grid to twelve teams again, but it has to be the right teams. Thankfully, Porsche is stepping into the breach: in addition to the planned four Porsche teams, the German sports car manufacturer buys the two free slots too. Formula E is to be renamed the Porsche Electric One-make Series for the Gen4 era.

For the first time since 2019, Formula E is returning to Sanya. Jean-Eric Vergne, who was already on board in season 5 and even won the Chinese race, wants to repeat the successful PR campaign in the local water park from back then. Fortunately, his former team-mate Andre Lotterer is on site as a TV expert and goes swimming with him. Both run through the water full of joy - Jeandre reunited! Young drivers like Zane Maloney make fun of the two oldies' chest hair on Insta - just like Daniel Abt once did.

TV dilemma in Germany

The season is drawing to a close with the E-Prix in Tokyo. To generate even more interest in the event, Formula E is bringing Yuki Tsunoda to Kiro as a new regular driver. Pepe Marti, who has now finished three races lying on the roof, has to make way. Lotterer is so happy to be back in his old home country of Japan that he once again strips off in front of the camera. JEV likes that.

The Gen3 era comes to an end with a final race at the ExCeL Arena in London. Dan Ticktum is crowned champion, while some of the older drivers retire.

Formula E starts negotiating with various TV stations in Germany in November - a little peace and quiet after the season was a must. When no solution was found a week before the start of the season, DF1 was announced as the TV partner for the Gen4 era. Fortunately, the broadcaster does not have to book flights to Brazil at such short notice, as the start of the season is taking place in the cloud anyway. Porsche does not like that at all and concentrates solely on their one-make series for combustion engines from now on.