Below is a brief overview of the rules and regulations, but don't worry, we won’t get too technical. We'll leave that for FIA - motorsport's governing body. Click here for a more detailed look at the rules and regulations.
Championship and standings
Three FIA World Championship titles are awarded in Formula E:
The Drivers’ World Championship goes to the driver who accumulates the most points across the season.
The Teams’ World Championship is decided by the combined points scored by a team’s two drivers.
The Manufacturers’ World Championship rewards the performance of each manufacturer and their customer teams, by taking the points tally of the two highest-finishing cars powered by a given manufacturer's homologated powertrain at each race.
If two or more drivers, teams or manufacturers finish level on points, the title is decided using countback - starting with the number of race wins, followed by second-place finishes and then subsequent finishing positions.
Points system
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
Additional points are available for pole position and the fastest lap:
Pole position: 3 points
Fastest lap: 1 point, provided the driver is classified in the top-10
The FIA may award reduced points if a race cannot be completed in full due to a Red Flag or inclement weather conditions.
Race day format
A Formula E event generally includes practice, qualifying and an E-Prix, but some locations host one race, others are known as ‘double-header events’, as they feature two races across the same weekend.
Free Practice
Free practice is a crucial first stage of a Formula E race weekend, giving drivers and teams time to learn the circuit, assess grip levels and refine the car’s set up for the weekend ahead.
Although the timer is on, the results of Free Practice don’t count towards the awarding of any championship points. After all, it's just a practice session.
Qualifying
Formula E’s qualifying format allows the best teams and drivers to showcase their speed and skill, but maintains the possibility of any driver stepping up, pulling a lap out of the bag and firing themselves up the starting grid.
The field is divided into two groups based on the Drivers’ Championship standings. Drivers in odd-numbered championship positions enter one group, while those in even-numbered positions enter the other. A different allocation process is used at the opening round of the season.
Each driver attempts to set their fastest lap during the group stage, with the fastest advancing to a series of ‘Duels’, with four quarter-finals, two semi-finals, and finally one grand final to decide who takes pole position and earns three valuable championship points.
The rest of the starting grid is determined by each driver’s progress through qualifying and their lap times, following the classification procedure in the sporting regulations.
E-Prix
Races begin with a standing start, meaning the cars are stationary until the lights go green. The drivers line up on a dummy grid - a short distance behind the actual grid - and slowly file into position to start the race.
In the 45-minute E-Prix, efficiency remains the key to success. In a massive aerodynamic shift, cars will pivot to a low-downforce setup, reducing drag to maximise energy management. The ATTACK MODE duration is extended to 8 minutes, and drivers will have to take a mandatory PIT BOOST stop.
This race format will take place at every race weekend, acting as the main event at single-header locations.
E-PrixUnleashed
Designed for highlighting the raw speed of the GEN4, ‘E-PrixUnleashed’ is a 30-minute sprint race, which utilises the high downforce configuration of Formula E’s latest race car. This will provide drivers with more grip, allowing them to attack corners at greater speed and perform more audacious overtakes. ATTACK MODE will be condensed to a sharp 6-minute window to maximise wheel-to-wheel action.
What is ATTACK MODE?
Introduced for the 2018/19 season was ATTACK MODE, which lets every driver pick up an extra hit of power at their own risk. To activate ATTACK MODE, drivers must arm their car, leave the optimum racing line, and pass through the Activation Zone. As a reward for taking a slower line through the corner, they’ll be able to collect an extra 50kW of power.
Drivers can choose to secure the extra speed if they want to race harder, giving them the edge to keep ahead of the competition or make moves up the pack. The time ATTACK MODE is armed is published by the FIA prior to the race.
For an E-Prix Unleashed, the shorter of the two sporting formats for the 2026/27 season, ATTACK MODE will be condensed to a sharp 6-minute window to maximise wheel-to-wheel action. Whilst, for the full length E-Prix’s the ATTACK MODE duration is extended to 8 minutes.
What is PIT BOOST?
PIT BOOST - powered by Formula E's Official PIT BOOST Provider Fortescue Zero - is an innovative and mandatory mid-race feature that gives cars a 10% energy increase (3.85kWh) via a 30-second, 600kW boost in the pit lane. It will be used during the 45-minute standard E-Prix race format.
All drivers must stop during the race to use this extra energy; however, each team is provided only one PIT BOOST rig, which prevents double-stacking. This will also create plenty of drama and excitement, as each competitor navigates an additional element of race strategy that could alter outcomes and tactics.
Drivers must take the PIT BOOST when their State of Charge (SoC) is below 60% and above 40% at the moment of the boost. The timing of this could vary from garage to garage, depending on the consumption strategy each driver employs during the first phase of the race.
Double-header
A double-header is a Formula E event featuring both the E-Prix and the E-PrixUnleashed format, with each race having its own qualifying session, starting grid and allocation of championship points.