Formula E returns to competition this weekend for its ninth season, and the ninth season sees another significant shift for the series.
The third generation Formula E car will make its debut and it is set to be the fastest Formula E car to date. Developments to the car means we will see pit stops include a recharging element for the first time in series history.
Along with the new car, there are new teams with new manufacturer entering the series. Though there are new teams, teams have also exited the series, most notably, Mercedes will not be on the grid after spending three seasons in Formula E and sweep the drivers' and constructors' championship in each of the previous two seasons. Longtime frontrunner Techeetah has also left the series.
With the revolving doors of teams, this means there has also been quite a bit of movement among the drivers, with some taking seats with new organizations with a few new faces joining the picture altogether.
Schedule
This year's Formula E calendar consists of 16 races spread over 11 weekends with four new venues listed.
It all begins on January 14 in Mexico City for the seventh visit to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Two weeks later is the first of five doubleheader weekends, this one taking place in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia with races scheduled for Friday January 27 and Saturday January 28.
Two weeks later is the first of three consecutive new venues, and not only are these new venues but new countries. On February 11, Hyderabad hosts Formula E for the first time. Two weeks later, Formula E makes its first trip to South Africa and Cape Town. One month later, São Paulo hosts Formula E for the first time and Formula E returns to South America for the first time since January 2020.
After a month off, the first European round will be in Berlin, and the Tempelhof Airport will host a doubleheader over the weekend of April 22 and 23. Two weeks later, Monaco will host Formula E for the third consecutive season.
After another month off, Formula E will be back in Jakarta and it will be a doubleheader over the weekend of June 3 and 4. Just under three weeks later, Formula E will visit a new American venue, as Portland, Oregon will host the all-electric series on June 24.
The season ends with a pair of European doubleheaders. First it will be Rome over the weekend of July 15-16. London will host the season finale with the final races taking place on July 29 and 30.
Race Format Changes
With the third generation of Formula E car making its debut, we will see a different race format. Races will return to being a set number of laps instead of being timed, but safety cars and full course cautions will still increase the number of laps if necessary.
Also, during the course of this season, fast recharging will be tested and each driver will be require to make a pit stop during these races.
Teams:
DS Penske
Stoffel Vandoorne: #1 DS E-TENSE FE23
What did he do last season: Vandoorne captured the Formula E championship driving for Mercedes with only one victory at Monaco, but the Belgian had eight podium finishes and 13 top five finishes. He finished with 213 points to his name.
What did he do last season: Vandoorne captured the Formula E championship driving for Mercedes with only one victory at Monaco, but the Belgian had eight podium finishes and 13 top five finishes. He finished with 213 points to his name.
What to expect in this season: Switching teams does not appear to have slowed DS, as the DS Penske cars went second and third in Valencia testing. DS Techeetah was annually a threat, though the last few seasons fell short. Vandoorne will put up a good title defense. He could match his podium finishes and he could win more. Repeating is difficult to do, but Vandoorne will give it a go. He will have a good shot.
Jean-Éric Vergne: #25 DS E-TENSE FE23
What did he do last season: Vergne ended up fourth in the championship on 144 points. He had five podium finishes, but none in the final seven races of the season. This was his first winless season since the 2015-16 season and his winless drought is up to 28 races.
What did he do last season: Vergne ended up fourth in the championship on 144 points. He had five podium finishes, but none in the final seven races of the season. This was his first winless season since the 2015-16 season and his winless drought is up to 28 races.
What to expect in this season: Vergne to be at the front and providing a strong DS Penske 1-2 combination. He should win again, possibly multiple times. He cannot be ruled out for the championship, but he will need to be more consistent. After the last few seasons, it is difficult processing the Dragon/Penske team being a title contender. That is the greatest hangup when it comes to either of its drivers. The speed is there but the team makes you worry it will let them down.
Maserati MSG Racing
Maximilian Günther: #7 Maserati Tipo Folgore
What did he do last season: With only two points finishes, Günther was 19th in the championship on six points driving for Nissan e.dams after he had won in each of the previous two seasons driving for Andretti BMW.
What to expect in this season: Günther topped testing in a bit of a stunning outcome. He is a past winner, but has never put together a full season. I don't see him accomplishing that this season. He could win a race, but not be a regular podium finisher and end up just outside the top five in the championship.
Edoardo Mortara: #48 Maserati Tipo Folgore
What did he do last season: With four victories, Mortara was tied for the most victories in the 2022 season. He had six podium finishes, but finished outside the points in five races, and wound p third in the championship on 169 points.
What to expect in this season: Mortara was ninth in testing, but he has been in the top three of the championship the last two seasons. Maserati should have plenty of good days, but I don't think Mortara can match his 2022 output. A step back is more likely and Mortara clawing just to make the top five.
Jaguar TCS Racing
Mitch Evans: #9 Jaguar I-Type 6
What did he do last season: Evans was tied with Mortara for the the most race victories in the 2022 season with four. He had seven total podium finishes, but finished outside the points in four races and wound up second in the championship with 180 points.
What to expect in this season: Jaguar was all over the place in testing. Evans wound up 18th while teammate Sam Bird was sixth. Evans gets better every season. The only way to go from second in the championship is first. It is possible, but Jaguar cannot be hit or miss. Evans should win multiple times again, but he is not the championship favorite entering race one.
Sam Bird: #10 Jaguar I-Type 6
What did he do last season: For the first time in his Formula E career, Bird went winless and he scored his worst championship finish ending up 13th on 51 points. He scored points in eight of 14 starts, missing the final round in Seoul due to a wrist injury.
What to expect in this season: Bird has been down the last four seasons compared to his first four seasons. He has finished outside the top five in the championship the last four seasons after being no worse than fifth in the first four seasons. Bird should bounce back and at least be close to Evans. It would not be a surprised if Bird became the team leader, and if he returns to his highest levels, Bird could be champion.
Envision Racing
Sébastien Buemi: #16 Jaguar I-Type 6
What did he do last season: Buemi was 15th in the championship, finishing on 30 points with his best finish being fifth in the first race from Brooklyn. This was the third consecutive season Buemi did not win a race and the second consecutive season without a podium finish driving for Nissan.
What to expect in this season: Jaguar is a better powertrain than the Nissan. Envision is a good organization and has never finished worse than fifth in the teams' championship. We know Buemi is a great driver. He should at least get back in the top ten of the championship. Testing results were average for Envision. I still think this will be a good team, but not quite spectacular. A good day could go Buemi's way and see him return to the podium. It could be a victory.
Nick Cassidy: #37 Jaguar I-Type 6
What did he do last season: Cassidy scored his first Formula E victory after the first Brooklyn race was called due to a thunderstorm that took out a portion of the field, most notably Cassidy, who was caught in the storm. He started on pole position in two races, but his only other top five finish was a third in the first London race. Cassidy ended up 11th in the championship on 68 points.
What to expect in this season: Something similar to last season, but now having to fight Buemi in the intra-team battle could see him play second fiddle at Envision. Cassidy was the faster of the two in testing and wound up 11th. The team had 14 non-points finishes in 2022. That isn't great, and a slight decrease isn't good enough. I think somewhere between seventh and 12th in the championship is about right for Cassidy.
Avalanche Andretti Formule E
Jake Dennis: #27 Porsche 99X Electric
What did he do last season: Dennis was sixth in the championship on 126 points off the back of his first career victory in London and four total podium finishes. He ended the season with eight consecutive finishes in the points and he finished in the points on 12 of 16 occasions.
What to expect in this season: Dennis carried Andretti last year and the team improved greatly over the course of the season. Andretti's pace was on par with the factory Porsche unit. Andretti and Porsche were sixth and seventh in the championship last year, albeit with different powertrains. I think they will be in lockstep this year. A victory is tough to see, but this season could look a lot like 2022 with one or two brilliant results and then a smattering of other points finishes.
André Lotterer: #36 Porsche 99X Electric
What did he do last season: Lotterer was second in the third race of the season from Mexico City. He had three top five finishes in the first seven races, but he finished in the points in only three of the final nine events and took 12th in the championship on 63 points.
What to expect in this season: There have been plenty of close days for Lotterer but he has yet to win a Formula E race. He has always gotten points finishes, but hasn't been a regular contender for victories. He is more a driver bound to have one or two great days and then find himself blending in. That should continue for another season.
TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team
António Félix da Costa: #13 Porsche 99X Electric
What did he do last season: Driving for Techeetah, da Costa won the second Brooklyn race and he had 12 finishes in the points, but he had only one other podium finish all season and it put him eighth in the championship on 122 points.
What to expect in this season: Da Costa makes a big switch after Techeetah exits Formula E. Da Costa was the slowest of the four Porsche powertrain drivers in 20th, but the best of the four was Pascal Wehrlein in 12th. Porsche has one or two great races every year and the rest of the time they are average. I am not convinced it can escape that this year, and da Costa, who has won a race in each of the last four seasons, might see that run end while scoring in fewer races than the year before and getting his worst championship finish since 2017-18.
Pascal Wehrlein: #94 Porsche 99X Electric
What did he do last season: Wehrlein scored Porsche's first Formula E victory with a 1-2 day in Mexico City, but that was his only top five finish of the season and Wehrlein took tenth in the championship with 71 points.
What to expect in this season: In Wehrlein's three full seasons he has finished 12th, 11th and tenth in the championship. I don't think Wehrlein will finish ninth this year. At best, he will get tenth. The Porsche and Andretti drivers could all be congested together in the championship. I don't see any of them being a regular top five finisher.
Mahindra Racing
Oliver Rowland: #8 Mahindra M9Electro
What did he do last season: Twenty-one of the 32 points Rowland scored in the 2022 season came with his runner-up finish from pole position in the penultimate race of the season in Seoul. He retired from seven races and took 14th in the championship.
What to expect in this season: Rowland was fifth in testing after a good end to his 2022 season. Mahindra wasn't great lsat season. That leaves a lot of room to improve. Mahindra should improve. I am not convinced this team can regularly win races. Rowland should push for the top ten in the championship with a few podium results.
Lucas di Grassi: #11 Mahindra M9Electro
What did he do last season: Di Grassi took his record-tying 13th Formula E victory in the second London race. The Brazilian had four podium finishes and scored points in 11 of 16 races to take fifth in the championship on 126 points.
What to expect in this season: Di Grassi is going to be driving for his third team in three seasons. He finds a way to finish in the top ten of the championship. I expect the same from him. He was 15th in testing, but di Grassi should lead this team. He can find a race victory. I am not sure he can break the top five in the championship, but it isn't out of the question.
Nissan Formula E Team
Norman Nato: #17 Nissan e-4ORCE 04
What did he do last season: Nato stepped in for an injured Sam Bird in the Seoul round and he finished 13th and 14th with no points to his name. Nato spent his 2022 season driving for RealTeam by WRT in the World Endurance Championship's LMP2 class. He won at Monza and had three podium finishes.
What to expect in this season: Nato was seventh in testing, which was a good sign for Nissan. Nissan should score more points, but I don't think he nor Nissan will be on the podium at a great clip. A handful of points finishes will be a successful season.
Sacha Fenestraz: #23 Nissan e-4ORCE 04
What did he do last season: Fenestraz started the final race of the Formula E season in Seoul after Antonio Giovinazzi stepped out of his Dragon/Penske entry due to a hand injury in the first race of that weekend. Fenestraz was second in the Super Formula championship with a victory and he also won a race in Super GT and was sixth in that championship.
What to expect in this season: While Nato was seventh, Fenestraz was 21st. It will still be a difficult season for Nissan. It is not going to be pushing for the championship. Nato should lead this team. I don't see Fenestraz getting any top five finishes.
NIO 333 Racing
Sérgio Sette Câmara: #3 NIO 333 ER9
What did he do last season: Câmara scored two points with a ninth-place finish in the second London race. He was running at the finish of 13 of 15 starts.
What to expect in this season: Câmara was the slowest in testing, but within touching distance with the rest of the field. There is no reason to expect anything greater from NIO than a handful of point but mostly finishing 15th or worse. That should continue.
Dan Ticktum: #33 NIO 333 ER9
What did he do last season: Ticktum scored a point with a tenth-place finish in the second Rome race. He was running at the finish of 12 of 16 starts, ending the season with three consecutive retirements.
What to expect in this season: Ticktum was 14th in testing. He had one points last year. Anything between two and six would be a significant improvement. NIO will likely finish last in the teams' championship.
Neom McLaren Formula E Team
Jake Hughes: #5 Nissan e-4ORCE 04
What did he do last season: Hughes drove for Van Amersfoort Racing in 16 Formula Two races with his best finish being fourth in the Jeddah feature race. He was 16th in the championship with 26 points. He was also the simulator driver for the Mercedes and Aston Martin F1 teams.
What to expect in this season: McLaren opened some eyes in testing with Hughes leading the way in fourth. Hughes has never been a top prospect. I don't think he will be leading this team and be a regular race winner. He could get one, but he will get tripped up in a few races and finish second within the McLaren organization with some space between him and his experienced teammate.
René Rast: #58 Nissan e-4ORCE 04
What did he do last season: Rast was third in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters with one victory. In five WEC races driving for Team WRT in LMP2, he won twice at Spa-Francorchamps and Bahrain.
What to expect in this season: Rast was eighth in testing and he is more than capable of carrying McLaren. He was good in his first Formula E stint with Audi. It is difficult to imagine McLaren winning the championship in year one, but Rast has what it takes to win two or three times and be the delightful surprise of the season.
ABT CUPRA Formula E Team
Robin Frijns: #4 Mahindra M9Electro
What did he do last season: With Envision Racing, Frijns was seventh in the championship on 126 points. The Dutchman did not win a race but he had four podium finishes.
What to expect in this season: ABT Sport is back and it had respectable testing results. Frijns was tenth in testing. He should do what he does, finish in the points, be consistent, but not overly flashy. I think the podium will be a stretch but not unthinkable.
Nico Müller: #51 Mahindra M9Electro
What did he do last season: Müller was seventh in the DTM championship with one victory. He made one start for Peugeot in the Hyperclass while running four WEC races in LMP2 with Vector Sport. He was fourth overall in Bahrain with Peugeot and third in the LMP2 class at Monza.
What to expect in this season: Müller's first Formula E run was with a bad Dragon team, but he still pulled out some good results. He should close to Frijns in the championship, but there will be races he is leading the ABT duo and really holding his own.
The first practice of the Formula E season will take place at 5:30 p.m. ET on Friday January 13. Saturday morning practice will take place at 8:30 a.m. ET before qualifying at 10:40 a.m. ET. The Mexico City ePrix is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET.
