The electric car racing world championship, Formula E is about to change some of the rules ahead of its ninth season.
The changes made by Formula E can be considered quite large, because they change several fundamental aspects of the way they hold races.
These changes seem to support the running of the race in the era of the Formula E Gen3 race car that was used starting this season.
The first fundamental thing that Formula E and the FIA have changed for season nine or 2023 is the matter of race length.
If previously the length of a Formula E race was dictated by a period of time, starting in the ninth season, the length of the race will be determined based on the number of laps like the majority of racing events.
For consistency, the FIA and Formula E also vary compensation for interruptions caused by a Safety Car or Full Course Yellow during a race with extra laps instead of extra time.
Apart from using the lap system, the FIA and Formula E will also require a pit stop or what they call an Attack Charge in several races in the ninth season.
The pit stop itself will last 30 seconds, and is used to recharge the battery with 4kWh of electric power.
In addition to getting additional power, racers will also be given two Attack Mode opportunities which increase the power of the Gen3 race car’s electric motor from 300kW to 350kW.
Attack Charge itself will only be applied in a few races and replaced by the usual Attack Mode in races that do not have an Attack Charge.
The last fundamental change is the removal of the Fanboost feature where fans can provide additional power that can be used by their chosen racer.
Apart from that, Formula E now also requires all teams to give at least two FP1 sessions to drivers who have never participated in the electric car race before.
These rules are exactly the same as those applied in F1 today, and are intended to give these drivers the opportunity to experience the unique experience of Formula E racing.
“The combination of regulatory updates, car performance improvements, advanced battery technology and Attack Charge innovation will make our racing more competitive and entertaining while demonstrating the future of electric car development,” said Jamie Reigle, CEO of Formula E.
Formula E’s ninth racing season will begin with Formula E Mexico on January 14, 2023.
