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EXPLAINED: What does a Formula E race weekend look like, and what's the format?

NEWS 25 Nov 2025 6 Mins

With Season 12 just around the corner, here's all you need to know about a Formula E race day format ahead of the season opener in São Paulo.

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explainers feature news season 12

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship certainly has a unique schedule in the world of motorsport. Where most racing series are split over several days, this all-electric championship has most of its on-track action over the one day. Here’s all you need to know about how Formula E’s race format works.

All in a day’s work

Unlike other championships that spread themselves over three days, most of the Formula E schedule takes place on race day. There’s one half an hour practice on Friday evenings for teams, just to get a feel for the tracks we race on, but all the big moments happen on race day which is often a Saturday or Sunday.

CALENDAR: Here's every race set for the 2025/26 Formula E season

You might think, that’s a lot to pack into one day, and you’d be right! A second practice session is slotted in for the morning, which is followed by qualifying and then the race. In between sessions, there are also various track activities, medical inspections as well as drivers having commitments like debriefs and autograph sessions for the fans. There’s no denying race day is a busy one, but if you’re on the ground at the race it means that there’s always something to see or do!

Practice makes perfect

Depending on how many races there are over a Formula E weekend, there will be two or three practice sessions. If there’s only one race, there will be two opportunities to practice; one the day before the E-Prix and one the day of the E-Prix. If the weekend consists of a double-header, another practice session will be added to the second race day before qualifying and race.

Each 40 minute practice session is timed, although the results of this don’t influence the running order of qualifying or the race. It’s just a chance for teams and drivers to see how their cars behave, familiarise themselves with the circuit and make any necessary set up changes ahead of the big events later.

MEET THE GRID: Which drivers are racing in Formula E in 2025/26?

At some tracks, there’s also an additional shakedown on the day before the race. This happens before any practice sessions, and sees drivers take to the track at reduced speeds. Here they can test the reliability of the car, as well as any electronic systems to make sure everything is working as planned.

Quality qualifying

After practice, the next thing on the on-track agenda is qualifying. This lasts for around an hour and follows a unique format which makes for some unbelievable action!

How does Formula E's Groups and Duels qualifying format work?

First comes the Groups stage, which sees the grid split into two groups of 10 based on their Drivers' World Championship position. Here they have to battle at 300kW power to set lap times in a 10-minute session, with the four fastest from each group progressing into the Duels stage.

Those eight will then face off in the quarter-finals, competing against one another head to head in a one lap knockout at 350kW. The winners from each Duel are promoted into the semi finals. The same process is undertaken for the semi final, with the two quickest drivers on track making their way into the nail-biting final.

The winning driver of the final duel takes the Julius Baer Pole Position (and the three points that come with it!), while the runner-up lines up second. The semi-finalists will line up third and fourth, the quarter-finalists between fifth and eighth - according to their lap times.

EXPLAINED: All you need to know about Formula E's qualifying format

The fifth to 10th-placed drivers who competed in the polesitter's group will fill the odd positions on the grid. The corresponding drivers from the other group will be classified in the even grid slots. So, if the polesitter comes from Group 1, the fifth placed driver in Group 1 will line up ninth on the starting grid and the fifth placed driver in Group 2 takes 10th and so on.

Since being introduced in Season 8, it’s provided us with so much entertainment! We love the Duels!

Ready for the race

Now for the best bit of race day - the race itself! Every E-Prix begins with a standing start, which means the cars are stationary until the lights go green. The Formula E grid line up on a dummy grid, which is a short distance behind the actual grid, before slowly filing into position to start the race.

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The race lasts for a predetermined number of laps, but laps can be added for Safety Car and Full Course Yellow interruptions. The final number of added laps is announced three laps prior to the end of the E-Prix, so everyone knows what to expect. Around an hour is given for the race length, but red flags or Safety Cars could influence the time it takes to finish a race. In Season 9, Formula E witnessed its longest-ever race clocking in at 2hrs13m56.532s after crazy London weather created one intense season finale!

ATTACK MODE was also introduced for Season 5, which lets every driver pick up an extra hit of power at their own risk.

To fire up ATTACK MODE, drivers need to drive off the racing line and through the special Activation Zone which is unique for each circuit. As a reward for taking a slower line through the corner, they collect an extra 50kW of power, taking them to 350kW for a limited time which is published by the FIA pre-race. Drivers can choose to secure the extra speed, helping them race harder and giving them the edge to stay ahead of the competition or make moves up the pack.

JOIN US: Buy your tickets for Formula E in Season 12

For Season 12, ATTACK MODE is getting a refresh! For PIT BOOST races, drivers will only be able to take one ATTACK MODE activation per race, and there will be no requirement to use the full allocation before the end of the race. With greater flexibility for drivers and more competitive racing, ATTACK MODE has never been more strategically important!

Formula E has always been a series that has pushed the boundaries, and PIT BOOST is the latest example. Debuted in Season 11, PIT BOOST is an innovative new strategy play in Formula E in which drivers have to give up track position and make a 30-second mandatory pit stop. 600kW recharging gives the drivers 10% more energy to play with for the rest of the race.

Choosing the right moment to make your PIT BOOST stop is critical, and can make the difference between winning and losing an E-Prix!

Formula E follows a standard points system, used in other FIA-sanctioned series - awarding points to the top-10 finishers:

1st - 25pts
2nd - 18pts
3rd - 15pts
4th - 12pts
5th - 10pts
6th - 8pts
7th - 6pts
8th - 4pts
9th - 2pts
10th - 1pt

Points are also awarded for securing the Julius Baer Pole Position (three points) and clinching the Fastest Lap (one point) in the race.

After a race has come to an end, the top three drivers must make their way to the podium for some celebrations, as well as fulfil their media commitments.

SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2025 São Paulo E-Prix

The São Paulo E-Prix Round 1 gets underway on Friday 5 December with Free Practice 1, ahead of race day on Saturday 6 December. Make sure you don't miss a moment, as we get ready to kickstart Season 12 with one of the best races of the year.

WATCH: How to watch or stream ABB Formula E's São Paulo E-Prix weekend where you are