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PREVIEW: Everything you need to know about the Season 11-opening 2024/25 São Paulo E-Prix Round 1

ANTEPRIMA 07 dic 2024 10 Min

As the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship gears up for the thrilling start of Season 11 in São Paulo, 7 December, here's everything you need to know

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One mention of Brazil and names like Senna, Piquet and Fittipaldi immediately race to the forefront of the mind. It's the home of motorsport legends, as well as an unrivalled, passionate and knowledgable motor racing support.

Formula E headed to São Paulo for the first time in 2023 and we're back for our third visit, with the Season 11-opening 2024/25 São Paulo E-Prix Round 1.

New car, new tracks and as competitive as ever

The 2024/25 campaign marks a new era of the championship, with the much-anticipated debut of the GEN3 Evo race car - a major milestone in electric racing technology, blending performance, sustainability, and efficiency.

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

This groundbreaking machine, capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 1.82 seconds, is not only the quickest-accelerating FIA single-seater but also outpaces current F1 cars by 30% in acceleration, reflecting Formula E's ongoing commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.

Formula E is nothing if not ultra close and super competitive and, given the glimpse we got back at pre-season testing in Madrid with the field split by little over a second and six different drivers topping each of the six sessions, all the signs are pointing towards Season 11 stepping things up a level further.

TICKETS: Secure your seat at the São Paulo E-Prix

Teams have spent the autumn and winter fighting to extract vital tenths of-a-second from their cars but the real test will come in Brazil when the field of 22 world class drivers takes to the grid to show us all what they really have up their sleeves.

The new-look calendar includes a double-header in Tokyo and for the first time for an FIA World Championship, in Monaco, too. We return to China after a maiden outing in Shanghai last season and Jakarta is back on the calendar after a year away. Diriyah makes way for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for 2024/25, and we're heading back to Miami for the first time since 2015.

Everything's in place, with the battle for the top prize and World Championship honours in Formula E's 11th campaign set to get underway this weekend. The 2024/25 São Paulo E-Prix starts on Friday 6 December with Free Practice 1 at 17:00 local time. Free Practice 2 kicks off race day at 07:30 local, qualifying follows at 09:30 local with lights out on Round 4 at 14:00 local/17:00 UTC.

Who set the pace at pre-season testing?

All 22 drivers and 11 teams headed out on-track together for the first, and only, time before the season-opener with testing at Madrid’s Jarama Circuit back in early November.

Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing) rounded the quickest of 4,731 total laps and 18,512km completed over the six three-hour sessions over four days – the New Zealander setting a 1m27.461s. The Jaguar driver set the pace during the final morning’s running on Friday, while the field were split by little over a second on the overall timesheet.

Reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein wound up third in the running in the latest factory Porsche 99X Electric. He split the impressive Porsche-powered Kiro Race Co pair of Dan Ticktum and David Beckmann who sat second and fourth, respectively, using Season 10-spec powertrain.

Zane Maloney is new to Formula E this season, as the grid’s only full debutant. The Lola Yamaha ABT driver enters the series from FIA Formula 2 and found himself mid-pack on the timing screens – a strong showing.

Six different drivers set the pace in the six test sessions:

Session 1: Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche)
Session 2: Jake Hughes (Maserati MSG Racing)
Session 3: Maximilian Guenther (DS PENSKE)
Session 4: David Beckmann (Kiro Race Co)
Session 5: Nyck de Vries (Mahindra Racing)
Session 6: Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing)

Welcoming in the GEN3 Evo era

Season 11’s pre-season test marks a new era of the championship, with the much-anticipated debut of the GEN3 Evo race car - a major milestone in electric racing technology, blending performance, sustainability, and efficiency.

This groundbreaking machine, capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 1.82 seconds, is not only the quickest-accelerating FIA single-seater but also outpaces current F1 cars by 30% in acceleration, reflecting Formula E’s ongoing commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.

GEN3 Evo quick facts:

Capable of 0-60mph in 1.82 seconds (0-100kph in 1.86s), 30% faster than a current F1 car
New reinforced body kit that enhances aerodynamics and durability
Enhanced all-wheel drive capabilities available in key race moments, including qualifying duels, race starts, and ATTACK MODE
Optimised Hankook iON all-weather tyres, delivering superior grip
Increase in percentage of reusable materials in the tyres, from 26% to 35%

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For the first time, all-wheel drive will be available during select phases of race weekends, providing drivers with enhanced control and acceleration in crucial situations.

The car’s design emphasises ethical and sustainable sourcing of battery minerals to minimise environmental impact, marking a new chapter in racing innovation with a lasting commitment to the planet.

Driver market moves

The off-season has been lively since the season finale in London, with notable driver changes reshaping the grid for Season 11.

Maximilian Günther has joined DS PENSKE, partnering two-time Formula E Champion Jean-Éric Vergne, after departing Maserati MSG Racing. Though both teams use the Stellantis powertrain, this move marks a fresh chapter for Günther, who has been in the championship since Season 5.

Meanwhile, Stoffel Vandoorne has left DS PENSKE to join Maserati MSG Racing, where he will team up with newcomer Jake Hughes, who transitions from NEOM McLaren for the GEN3 Evo era.

Some teams have opted for stability, retaining their line-ups from last season. Envision Racing will continue with Robin Frijns and Season 2 World Champion Sébastien Buemi, while TAG Heuer Porsche remains committed to defending World Champion Pascal Wehrlein and his teammate António Félix da Costa.

Mahindra Racing will also keep Edoardo Mortara and Nyck de Vries, and Jaguar TCS Racing’s duo Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy, will return after securing the Teams' World Championship at the Season 10 finale in London.

Team	Driver	Driver
Jaguar TCS Racing	Mitch Evans	Nick Cassidy
TAG Heuer Porsche	Pascal Wehrlein	Antonio Felix da Costa
DS PENSKE	Jean-Eric Vergne	Maximilian Guenther
Nissan	Oliver Rowland	Norman Nato
Andretti	Jake Dennis	Nico Mueller
Envision Racing	Robin Frijns	Sebastien Buemi
NEOM McLaren	Sam Bird	Taylor Barnard
Maserati MSG Racing	Stoffel Vandoorne	Jake Hughes
Lola Yamaha ABT	Lucas di Grassi	Zane Maloney
Mahindra Racing	Nyck de Vries	Edo Mortara
Kiro Race Co	Dan Ticktum	David Beckman

Andretti has seen a reshuffle, with Season 9 Champion Jake Dennis now partnered with Nico Müller, who also became a Porsche works driver during the break. Norman Nato returns to Nissan, reuniting with Oliver Rowland after a year at Andretti.

The season also brings exciting new faces: rookie Zane Maloney joins Lola Yamaha ABT in their inaugural Formula E season, pairing with Season 3 World Champion and home hero in Brazilian Lucas di Grassi. NEOM McLaren welcomes back Taylor Barnard, who filled in last season and will embark on his first full campaign alongside Formula E veteran - a competitor in every season - Sam Bird.

Newly-rebranded Kiro Race Co was the final team to confirm its line-up, with Dan Ticktum and David Beckmann the pairing for Season 11.

New liveries, new teams, new partners

As Season 11 approaches, several Formula E teams are undergoing significant transformations alongside the introduction of the new GEN3 Evo car.

ABT has partnered with the renowned Lola Cars and established a multi-year technical collaboration with Yamaha, rebranding as Lola Yamaha ABT for the upcoming season. Featuring an eye-catching blue and yellow colour scheme, the team boasts a strong line-up with veteran driver Lucas di Grassi and rookie Zane Maloney.

In another notable change, the Forest Road Company, a Los Angeles-based investment firm, has acquired 100% ownership of the ERT Formula E Team, which has become Kiro Race Co.

Starting this season, Kiro Race Co will sport a bold black and bright green livery and has secured a technical partnership with Porsche Motorsport. This collaboration will provide the team with access to Porsche's championship-winning powertrain technology, bolstering their competitive ambitions in the championship.

Last time out in Brazil

Our return to Brazil for the second São Paulo E-Prix earlier this year, did not disappoint. After an exciting debut in Season 9, the streets of the Anhembi Sambadrome were awash with even more wheel-to-wheel action with racing right down to the wire last time around.

Season 10, Round 4, Sao Paulo (FULL RACE) - gated

It was Sam Bird who came out on top following a daring last lap dive for the lead in one of Formula E's best-ever races. The Brit swooped around the outside right at the last, on the penultimate corner of the final lap to pip Jaguar's Mitch Evans and score NEOM McLaren's first win in Formula E.

Brazil’s motor racing heroes

Along with football, Brazil has a burning passion for motorsport, and any fan worth their salt knows the talents that have sprung from the country, especially three-time F1 world champion – and São Paulo’s own – Ayrton Senna.

The Brazilian Grand Prix has been held at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in the neighbourhood of Interlagos on and off since 1973, and every year since 1990 with the E-Prix heading into its third season at the Anhembi Sambadrome.

Brazil’s adoring motorsport fans have seen four Brazilians win their home race in F1, from Emerson Fittipaldi (1973 and 1974), José Carlos Pace (1975, and who the circuit is named after), Senna (1991 and 1993) and Felipe Massa (2006 and 2008). And where we all four drivers born? São Paulo.

In Formula E, we have a host of Brazilian heroes that have pioneered electric motor racing at the top level - bringing the country's motorsport heritage to a new, ever-passionate audience. Season 3 champion Lucas di Grassi is a proud São Paulo native. Nelson Piquet Jr. followed in his father's footsteps to win a title at the pinnacle of the sport as he sealed the inaugural Formula E championship in 2014/15.

Massa has been part of the series, too, in his time with Venturi - as has the great Ayrton Senna's nephew Bruno and Felipe Nasr as well as Sergio Sette Camara. Di Grassi flies the flag this weekend, with an expectant home support to cheer him along.

Where does Formula E race in São Paulo? What is the track like?

With three long straights connected by tricky chicanes, sweeping corners and tight turns, the Anhembi Sambadrome Circuit in São Paulo is a challenge for the pack.

S11_circuit-map_saopaulo

Starting on the main straight that's usually reserved for carnival floats and revelry, there will be a different type of dancing as the drivers put their toe tapping to use on the brake pedals into the series of sharp turns, that feed to a looping hairpin that fires the field down the straight.

This straight is broken up with another challenging right-left-right series of corners to another long straight. The final sector sees more passing opportunities in the run to the finish line.

It's a unique 11-turn, 2.933km circuit with huge straights and big stops. Expect overtaking, plenty of slipstreaming and critical energy management.

Formula E's most exciting calendar to-date

Following testing, the season kicks off in São Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday, December 7, 2024, marking the first time the city will host the season opener. Following Brazil, the series will head to Mexico City for one of the calendar's most popular events at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

The first double-header will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on February 14 and 15, 2025, introducing a new track location in the Kingdom after being part of the calendar since Season 5. Miami will also return, bringing thrilling racing to the Homestead Miami Speedway for the first time, a significant home race event for teams like Andretti, DS PENSKE, and Kiro Race Co.

The iconic streets of Monaco will host a double-header weekend on 3 & 4 May 2025, following the successful use of the full circuit since Season 7. Tokyo will expand to a double-header format in May, complementing the return of Shanghai and the fan-favourite Jakarta race on June 21, 2025.

The season will conclude with a pair of double-headers in Berlin and London, with Berlin remaining a staple on the calendar since Formula E’s inaugural season. The grand finale in London will take place on 26 & 27 July 2025, wrapping up what promises to be an exhilarating season of electric racing.

SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2024/25, Season 11, São Paulo E-Prix Round 1

The São Paulo E-Prix gets underway on Friday 6 December with Free Practice 1 at 17:00 local time.

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

Then it's on to race day on Saturday 7 December as Free Practice 2 kicks off the day at 07:30 local, qualifying follows at 09:30 local with lights out on Round 4 at 14:00 local/17:00 UTC.

View the full schedule in your time zone and check the broadcaster listings or tap the Ways to Watch button above to find out where to watch all the racing action where you live.

Follow the race LIVE and listen to full race commentary on web and in the Formula E app!

Follow all the action on-track as it happens in the Race Centre.

Keep across Live Timing – which includes a real-time interactive track map and the ability to follow your favourite driver during every session of every E-Prix – plus highlights, detailed session reports, exclusive interviews, all the standings and results as well as data, insight and reaction from trackside.

LIVE: Follow every lap live, with reaction and coverage at fiaformulae.com/live

Additionally, Formula E’s social media channels, website, and app will provide session reports, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights from trackside during the four-day event.

There's full race commentary, too, with build up and the E-Prix LIVE from Brazil via the Formula E website and app as well as on TalkSPORT 2 in the UK.