What is Formula E? | Formula E Explained | ABB FIA Formula E World Championship

What is Formula E?

It's an all-electric single-seater racing car that can go 0-60 mph in just 1.82 seconds, driven by world-class racers for the best names and manufacturers in motorsport.

Here's all you need to know about the most electrifying motorsport on the planet, with a handy intro to the premiere all-electric racing series. This is all you need to know about Formula E.

Which drivers race in Formula E?

Meet the most competitive grid in motorsport, where any driver has the chance of climbing to the top step of the podium. It's a grid of world-class drivers with skills across the motorsport spectrum, driving some of the most legendary names in racing.

Champions in the series include two-time winner Jean-Eric Vergne for Citroën Racing, Nyck de Vries at Mahindra, Jaguar TCS Racing's Antonio Felix da Costa, Envision Racing's Sebastien Buemi and Jake Dennis from Andretti.

Then there is the chasing pack, including race winner and Jaguar TCS Racing driver Mitch Evans, Taylor Barnard and Maximilian Günther for DS PENSKE, and CUPRA KIRO's Dan Ticktum, among a talented roster of drivers.

Find out more about the Formula E drivers

Who are the teams that race in Formula E?

You've met the Formula E drivers, and now here are the teams. The all-electric series currently has 10 teams, each with two drivers.

Formula E brings together legendary names in racing, such as Andretti, alongside a whole host of manufacturers. Representing the French Stellantis brands are Citroën and DS, and we also have famous marques Jaguar and Porsche, with Nissan and Mahindra all vying for the big prize: World Championship glory for drivers, teams, and manufacturers.

Meet the teams racing in Formula E

Where does Formula E race?

The calendar is packed with street and permanent circuits, from the legendary Monaco to the modern Shanghai International Circuit, with cheering fans packing the Foro Solo in Mexico City to night races in Jeddah and Tokyo - Formula E brings electrifying racing action around the world.

Learn about the calendar Join us and buy tickets

Round	Race	Circuit	Location	Date
1	2025 Google Cloud São Paulo E-Prix	São Paulo Street Circuit	São Paulo, Brazil	6th December 2025
2	2026 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix	Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez	Mexico City, Mexico	10th January 2026
3	2026 Miami E-Prix	Miami International Autodrome	Miami, USA	31st January 2026
4	2026 Jeddah E-Prix	Jeddah Corniche Circuit	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia	13th February 2026
5	2026 Jeddah E-Prix	Jeddah Corniche Circuit	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia	14th February 2026
6	2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix	Circuito de Madrid Jarama	Madrid, Spain	21st March 2026
7	2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix	Tempelhof Airport	Berlin, Germany	2nd May 2026
8	2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix	Tempelhof Airport	Berlin, Germany	3rd May 2026
9	2026 Monaco E-Prix	Circuit de Monaco	Monte Carlo, Monaco	16th May 2026
10	2026 Monaco E-Prix	Circuit de Monaco	Monte Carlo, Monaco	17th May 2026
11	2026 Sanya E-Prix	Sanya Street Circuit	Sanya, China	20th June 2026
12	2026 Shanghai E-Prix	Shanghai International Circuit	Shanghai, China	4th July 2026
13	2026 Shanghai E-Prix	Shanghai International Circuit	Shanghai, China	5th July 2026
14	2026 TDK Tokyo E-Prix	Tokyo Street Circuit	Tokyo, Japan	25th July 2026
15	2026 TDK Tokyo E-Prix	Tokyo Street Circuit	Tokyo, Japan	26th July 2026
16	2026 Hankook London E-Prix	London Excel Circuit	London, United Kingdom	15th August 2026
17	2026 Hankook London E-Prix	London Excel Circuit	London, United Kingdom	16th August 2026

What happens on a Formula E race day?

Formula E packs a whole lot of racing action into one day. First up, the drivers get a final practice session before facing off in qualifying to decide the grid for the race.

Then it's time for lights out, with a set number of laps to decide the winner.

Points are allocated as follows: 25 to the winner, 20 to second, and 15 to third; then it moves down the order, with the last point going to 10th. There are also bonus points on offer, with three points for pole position and one point for the fastest lap.

Double-headers, then see the field of drivers go at it again, but the difference between one day to the next is a PIT BOOST stop.

Full guide to a Formula E race day

How does qualifying for Formula E work?

Before the racing action, the grid must be decided, and that's where qualifying comes into the mix, so here's how it goes down.

First, the drivers are split into two groups of 10 to battle each other and the clock at 300kW to set a lap time, with the fastest four from each group progressing to the Duels.

Those eight then face off in a series of Duels at the full 350kW power and unlock AWD. These take place over a quarter-final, a semi-final, and the final, with competitors facing off for Julius Baer Pole Position.

Drivers who don't make the quarter-finals are lined up by group ranking.

Full guide to qualifying at Formula E

What is PIT BOOST in Formula E?

PIT BOOST gives the cars an extra jolt of energy with a strategic pit stop that the drivers must take. It’s a mandatory mid-race pit stop that provides a 10% increase in battery power in just 30 seconds!

The window for PIT BOOST opens when the battery's state of charge is between 40% and 60%. Then it's up to the teams to decide when to enter the bits, come in early for the undercut or wait later and go for the overcut. Getting a boost of energy and track position is important to go the distance.

Beginners guide to PIT BOOST

What is ATTACK MODE in Formula E?

An extra 50kW of power and all-wheel drive sounds nice! Drivers must leave the optimum race line to enter the ATTACK MODE activation zone, which means they lose time and possibly positions, but unlock the full 350kW and AWD in the GEN3 EVO.

Activations are split over eight minutes, with drivers opting for two- and six-minute, four- and four-minute, or six- and two-minute variations.

PIT BOOST races require a different strategy, as drivers face only a single 6-minute activation.

What you need to know about Formula E's car, the GEN3 Evo

Formula E's GEN3 Evo is the quickest accelerating FIA single-seater race car – Capable of 0-60mph in 1.82 seconds (0-100kph in 1.86s).

Introduced for Season 11, this leaner, stronger, and more agile machine gives drivers more power and more grip thanks to new, optimised Hankook tyres, with AWD enabled during the Duels, race start, and ATTACK MODE phases, all packaged within a more aggressive, more robust, and more aerodynamic body.

Everything you need to know about the GEN3 Evo

What is the next evolutionary step for Formula E's car?

Coming in Season 13, the all-new GEN4 race car marks a reinvention of motorsport and the next chapter of electric racing.

Capable of high speeds, the fastest Formula E car in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s history has been engineered for today's pioneers and tomorrow's next-generation talent, setting a new global standard for innovation, speed, and sustainability.

How do I watch Formula E?

Now you've got all the basics, here's how to watch the most electrifying motorsport series in the world, with broadcasters all around the globe.

You can catch all the build-up on the official Formula E YouTube channel, along with all the action live and free to watch, including all free practice sessions. There are also live timings and text commentary within the Formula E Race Centre.

Ways to watch YouTube Race Centre Full Race Highlights