Formula E is poised to extend its exclusive agreement with motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, ensuring it remains the world’s only fully electric racing series sanctioned by the organization well into the future.
Originally granted a 25-year license upon its launch in 2014, Formula E’s exclusivity is expected to be reaffirmed through a contract extension. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem indicated during last weekend’s British Grand Prix that the deal had been finalized and would be announced shortly.
While Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds told Reuters there was “nothing official” yet, he hinted that significant announcements are expected during the season finale in London later this month.
Liberty Global, which acquired majority ownership of Formula E in 2023, is looking to reinforce the series’ position as a distinct all-electric alternative to Formula One, which enters a new hybrid engine era in 2026 featuring a 50/50 power split between internal combustion and electric drive. The FIA has left the door open for Formula One to potentially return to V8 engines by 2029.
Commenting on the developments, Dodds said: “If they choose to keep using it (the 2026 engine), we’ll choose to keep talking about the fact that they like the (electric) technology so much they integrate it into their race cars. If they choose to go back to V8s, then we would absolutely leverage the fact that we would then be the only electric championship and everything that that means.”
The 2025–26 season is expected to mark the final year of the Gen3 era, ahead of the rollout of the faster and more powerful Gen4 car in 2026–27. This transition is already attracting new interest from manufacturers and teams preparing for a long-term commitment to the championship.
However, the series is also set to lose one team next season. McLaren, the former Formula One champions, will withdraw from Formula E to focus on endurance racing. Efforts to sell the team did not materialize in time.
Dodds confirmed that unless there is a last-minute change, McLaren’s departure will reduce the grid from 11 to 10 teams: “As it stands unless something changes… their last race would be London. The team slot would vacate, which means the licence would revert to us, and then we have a lot of other interest in joining the championship.”
Nissan’s Oliver Rowland has a chance to secure the Formula E championship during the Berlin double-header this weekend. If successful, he would become the series’ 10th different titleholder in 11 seasons.