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Finally, we can say it again: it’s race week! At least for Formula E. This weekend our favourite electric cars will be in Mexico City for the first race of 2024.
Last year, Formula E set new records in terms of fanbase engagement, with more and more people getting interested. If you’re one of them, you may be wondering: how does the Formula E race format work? The Championship has an original schedule and it may be confusing at first.
Let’s take a look together at how the Formula E race weekend looks like!
Formula E: when does it all happen?
The first thing you have to know is that most of the Formula E race weekend takes place on Race day. Yes, you read that right.
Usually the weekends count two Practice Sessions, Qualifying and then, of course, the Race, called E-Prix. The first Practice Session happens on Friday, while everything else is on Saturday.
Sometimes, Formula E has double headers. In this case, there are three practice sessions, two qualifying sessions and two races. Crazy, I know.
This is what a Formula E double header weekend looks like:
- Friday
- Practice Session
- Saturday
- Practice Session
- Qualifying
- Race
- Sunday
- Practice Session
- Qualifying
- Race
Practice and Qualifying in Formula E
The first Practice session is scheduled on Friday afternoon and then the second one is on Saturday morning. They last 30 minutes each and their result have no influence over the race.
Just like in other categories, they’re useful for drivers to feel the track and for teams to gather data on the cars, so that they can make all the necessary set up changes.
Things get more exciting when it’s Quali time. In fact, Formula E has a unique qualifying format, with a knockout system.
First, the grid is divided into two groups, depending on the standings in the WDC. The 11 drivers then have to battle to set the fastest times in a 10 minute session.
The four fastest from both Groups advance into the Duels stage. Here, the eight drivers compete in a series of 15 minutes sessions. The fastest driver takes the Julius Baer Pole Position.
From second to eight place, the drivers will line up according to their lap times. From ninth to last place, it gets trickier. In fact, the rest of the drivers who competed in the polesitter’s group will fill the odd grid slots. The drivers from the other group will take the even positions.
Attack Mode and Points
What do you need to know about the Formula E races? It’s really similar to other categories, with a standing start and a set number of laps, but laps can be added in case of Safety Car or other interruptions.
A peculiar trait of Formula E is Attack Mode, a way for drivers to have some extra speed. But at their own risk.
In fact, to activate it, a drivers has to take a slower line throught the corner, driving in the so-called Activation Zone. The reward is an extra 50 kW of power, to stay ahead of everyone or to overtake someone.
Also, Formula E follows the FIA standard points system, giving them to the first ten drivers. Three points are awarded to the pole sitter, and one point to the driver who se the Fastest Lap.
Hankook Mexico City E-Prix
Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will kick off on February 13th, with the Mexico City E-Prix. The race will take place in iconic Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, where 40,000 spectators are expected.
Mexico City has been on the calendar for eight times since 2016, the only exception being Season 7. Last year the E-Prix was won by Jake Dennis, winner of the 2023 WDC.
The circuit is 2,628 km (or 1,633 miles) long and the drivers will race for 41 laps.
As you can see here, the layout is very different from the one used in F1, with the full Peraltada final corner and the Foro Sol next to the entrance.
With most teams changing their line ups and the excitement of the first race of the season, Mexico City looks promising. Are you ready?
Feature Image Credit: Formula E
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