Championship

Formula E Explained

If you're asking “what is Formula E?”, you've come to the right place. Ahead of the start of the 2026/27 season, here's everything you need to know about the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

What is Formula E?

The 2026/27 season marks the beginning of Formula E's fastest and most powerful era yet. The all-new GEN4 race car will deliver up to 600kW of power, active all-wheel drive and a top speed of 335km/h (208mph), alongside a new sporting format designed to showcase both outright speed and energy efficiency.

Here is everything you need to know about Formula E and the new GEN4 era.

Which drivers race in Formula E?

Formula E features some of the most accomplished and competitive drivers in international motorsport, including World Champions, race winners and emerging stars.

The 2026/27 grid is taking shape ahead of the championship's first GEN4 race. Reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein returns to defend his title, while established Formula E winners and champions will be joined by the next generation of racing talent.

With a brand new car to get to grips with, demanding circuits and races frequently decided by fine margins, Formula E is a championship in which any driver can challenge for the top step of the podium.

Who are the teams that race in Formula E?

Formula E brings together leading manufacturers, historic motorsport names and independent racing teams, with each team entering two cars.

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

The 2026/27 grid welcomes German manufacturer Opel to the Formula E grid for the beginning of the GEN4 era.

Meet the Season 12 teams

Where does Formula E race?

Formula E races at street circuits and permanent race tracks in major cities and destinations around the world.

The upcoming season is scheduled to be the biggest Formula E season yet, with a record-breaking 21-rounds across 13 events in 11 countries. The GEN4 era begins with night races in Jeddah before visiting Mexico City, Austin, Miami, São Paulo, Sanya, Monaco, Berlin, London, Zandvoort, Madrid, Shanghai and Tokyo.

The calendar combines purpose-built racing venues with circuits in and around some of the world's most recognisable cities. New additions for this season include the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Brands Hatch near London and Zandvoort in the Netherlands.

Learn about the calendar Join us and buy tickets

What happens on a Formula E race weekend?

A Formula E weekend includes practice, qualifying and e-prix racing, with drivers and teams having to balance speed, strategy and energy management.

New for this season, the championship has introduced two different types of races:

1) E-PrixUnleashed:

Duration: 30 minutes
Car Configuration: High downforce
ATTACK MODE: 6 minutes
PIT BOOST: No

2) E-Prix :

Duration: 45 minutes
Car Configuration: Low downforce
ATTACK MODE: 8 minutes
PIT BOOST: Mandatory

The E-PrixUnleashed is a shorter sprint designed to showcase the speed and cornering performance of GEN4. The 45-minute E-Prix places greater emphasis on efficiency, energy management and strategic decision-making.

At double-header events, fans will see both formats across the weekend. The standard E-Prix will serve as the main race at single-header events.

Championship points are awarded to the top-10 finishers in each race, with 25 points for the winner. The 2026/27 season will also introduce points for drivers who progress through the qualifying Duels.

Read about 2026/27 new sporting format

How does qualifying for Formula E work?

Formula E qualifying begins with a group stage before the fastest drivers progress to a series of head-to-head Duels.

Formula E qualifying begins with a group stage with the drivers divided into two qualifying groups, competing against each other to set the fastest lap times. The leading drivers from each group then advance to the knockout stage - the ‘Duels’.

Those drivers then face each other in quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final. The winner of the final secures pole position, while the results of the group stage and Duels determine the rest of the starting grid.

From this season, drivers who reach the Duels will also be able to score championship points, increasing the importance of every knockout lap.

Full guide to qualifying at Formula E

What is ATTACK MODE in Formula E?

ATTACK MODE temporarily gives a Formula E driver access to the GEN4 car's maximum 600kW power output.

To activate it, drivers must leave the fastest racing line and pass through a designated activation zone. This costs time and can surrender track position, but the additional power creates an opportunity to attack, defend and overtake.

Drivers must decide when to activate ATTACK MODE and how best to use it. The available duration depends on the race format:

· Six minutes during an E-PrixUnleashed

· Eight minutes during a standard E-Prix

Choosing the right moment can decide the outcome of a race.

What is PIT BOOST in Formula E?

PIT BOOST is a mandatory rapid-charging pit stop used during the 45-minute E-Prix race format.

PIT BOOST, used in the 45-minute E-Prix race format, 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 the Formula E GEN4 car?

GEN4 is Formula E's fastest, most powerful and most advanced race car. It will make its competitive debut in Season 13 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The new car represents the biggest performance step in Formula E history, combining substantially more power with active all-wheel drive, greater energy recovery and two aerodynamic configurations.

GEN4 is Formula E's fastest, most powerful and most advanced race car. It will make its competitive debut in the 2026/27 season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The new car represents the biggest performance step in Formula E history, combining substantially more power with active all-wheel drive, greater energy recovery and two aerodynamic configurations.

The Formula E GEN4 car has a projected top speed of 335km/h (208mph) and can produce up to 600kW of power - equivalent to more than 800bhp - in ATTACK MODE.

Its standard maximum race power is 450kW, rising to 600kW when ATTACK MODE is activated. Active all-wheel drive is available throughout every phase of the race, helping the car accelerate, corner and deploy its power.

Formula E GEN4 specifications

Specification	GEN4
Maximum race power	450kW
Maximum ATTACK MODE power	600kW
Maximum regenerative braking	700kW
Top speed	335km/h / 208mph
Usable race energy	Up to 55kWh
Drivetrain	Active all-wheel drive
Energy recovered through regeneration	More than 40%
Minimum recycled content	20%
Construction	100% recyclable or reusable

GEN4 can use a high-downforce configuration for greater grip and faster cornering, or a low-downforce configuration designed to reduce drag and reward efficient racing.

More than 40% of the energy used during a race can be recovered through regenerative braking. The car is also constructed to be fully recyclable or reusable and contains at least 20% recycled materials.

All you need to know about the GEN4 Formula E car

Introducing GEN4
Introducing GEN4
Introducing GEN4
GEN4 from all angles
See the GEN4 from all angles
See the GEN4 from all angles
GEN4 Facts
GEN4 Facts
GEN4 Facts

How do I watch Formula E?

Formula E is broadcast live around the world, with coverage varying by country and territory.

From Season 13, Disney+ will become Formula E's global streaming home, giving fans access to the championship across international markets. Additional free-to-air, pay-TV and digital coverage may also be available depending on your location.

Fans can use Formula E's Where to Watch service to find the latest local broadcast information. Race highlights, features and selected full-race replays are also available through Formula E's official digital channels.

Ways to watch YouTube