Formula E History

Take a trip through the story of Formula E, from an idea noted on a napkin to FIA World Championship

What started as nothing more than a shared dream between Formula E Founder Alejandro Agag and former FIA President Jean Todt, noted on the back of a napkin back in 2011, has developed into the world’s leading all-electric championship.

The idea for an all-electric street racing series started out as nothing more than a collection of notes on a napkin.

On the evening of March 3, 2011, FIA President Jean Todt and Spanish businessman, Formula E Chairman Alejandro Agag, met in a Paris restaurant and gathered their thoughts in just a few words on what would become the world's first all-electric international single-seater championship.

Formula E’s founding mission was for its race through the streets of the most iconic cities in the world - with a grid full of the best racing drivers and teams around - to show just what sustainable mobility was capable of, driving electric vehicles to the fore in the race for a better, cleaner future.

Since making its debut in the grounds of the Olympic Park in Beijing in 2014, Formula E has grown into a global entertainment brand with motorsport at its heart. Now, embarking on its fourth generation of all-electric machinery, the championship has become a destination for the world's best motorsport teams and racing talent.

As we prepare for the start of the new season, let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore the highlights from the last decade.

Season 1 - 2014/15

In just three years, Formula E made it from concept to reality - through prototypes, innovative EV technology for the race track, and on to GEN1, with the first race taking place in the grounds of the iconic Olympic Park in Beijing on 13 September 2014.

Ten teams made up the grid, with the likes of Mahindra, Renault, Audi Sport and Andretti all eager to be a part of the championship from the start. The inaugural season raced in some brilliant locations, taking electric racing to the heart of Monaco, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Moscow and Miami to name just a few destinations.

Nelson Piquet Jr made history when he became the first Formula E champion after an intense season. He beat rival Sebastien Buemi to the crown by just a single point, with the Brazilian celebrating with his NEXTEV TCR Formula E Team at the finale in London.

Season 2 - 2015/16

The 2015/16 calendar saw ten races in nine different cities, as well as seven new manufacturers joining the fold. Regulations were opened up to allow teams to design their own motors, inverters, gearboxes and rear suspension, with power also bumped to 170kW (230bhp).

And for a consecutive year there was a nail-biting championship battle. This time it was Buemi and Lucas di Grassi, with both drivers hunting down their first Formula E title.

Both drivers won three races respectively over the season, taking things down to another finale in London’s Battersea Park. As fans around the world held their breath, the all-electric championship had one of its most surreal moments when both championship contenders crashed on the first lap. Buemi and di Grassi managed to limp back to the pits, with the title now being decided by the important point for fastest lap.

The point went to Buemi, who won the Drivers’ title with his team Renault e.Dams finishing the Teams’ Standing on top for another year.

Season 3 - 2016/17

The 2016/17 season featured a significant calendar shake-up, with the championship’s inaugural trip to Hong Kong and a first trip to Africa, in Marrakesh, the return of the Monaco E-Prix, Berlin’s move back to the Tempelhof Airport Circuit after a year in Karl-Marx-Allee and finally, a double-header in New York City – the first time a motor race had been held in the Big Apple since 1896.

Jaguar made its return as a manufacturer in motorsport for the first time in 12 years as the legendary British marque took to the Formula E grid alongside the newly-christened TECHEETAH outfit, whilst ABT partnered with Audi to create the Audi Sport ‘factory’ team. US racing giants Andretti entered a technical partnership with BMW, laying the groundwork for the German marque’s impending entry two years later.

From a championship perspective, Lucas di Grassi finally got his hands on the championship trophy - the most dominant win from a driver so far, winning by 24 points in the Montreal double-header. Buemi finished in second, with Mahindra Racing rookie Felix Rosenqvist ending his first campaign in third.

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Season 4 - 2017/18

The next season welcomed ABB as Title Partner of Formula E, as the global technology company and the championship came together to drive progress at the forefront of electrification and sustainable technology.

The GEN2 Formula E car was unveiled to the public, with the promise of more speed, more efficiency and a leap so significant that races would no longer include car swaps. The GEN1 would go out at maximum capacity, as power was increased from 170kW to 180kW (240bhp)

A total of nine manufacturers were now on board, including Jaguar, Nissan, BMW, Audi, DS and Mahindra, vindicating Formula E as a competitive platform for global car manufacturers and mobility providers to test and develop road-relevant technologies.

The swansong season for the Spark-Renault SRT 01E, GEN1 car saw Jean-Eric Vergne take Drivers’ Championship victory, edging out incumbent champ Lucas di Grassi – though Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler did take Teams’ honours ahead of TECHEETAH.

Season 5 - 2018/19

Season 5 was the dawn of a bold new era for the all-electric street racing series.

The first significant change was the introduction of the new GEN2 car. With dramatic Batmobile-esque styling, it had more power with a new lightweight battery now producing 250kW (335bhp) for a top speed of 280km/h (174mph). An increase in battery capacity also put an end to pitstops, with technological advancements now meaning one car could fulfil the new format of 45 minutes plus one lap at racing speeds.

Bringing a new tactical element to the races, Formula E reinvented racing again with ATTACK MODE. A challenge for the teams and drivers; leave the racing line to fire up ATTACK MODE but be rewarded with a timed power boost and gain an edge for a few laps.

Led by Formula 1 legend Felipe Massa at Venturi Racing, a host of new faces joined the grid, Belgian fan-favourite Stoffel Vandoorne lined up alongside DTM legend Gary Paffett in the new HWA Racelab squad. There was also promising young talent in the form of Pascal Wehrlein at Mahindra Racing and Oliver Rowland joining former Formula E champion Sebastien Buemi at Nissan e.dams, as the Japanese manufacturer entered the fray alongside German marque BMW.

Unpredictability reigned supreme for another season of unforgettable racing.

Season 6 - 2019/20

Following a stunning year of racing, fans waited with bated breath for Season 6. The calendar boasted exciting new locations around the globe and the first half of the season didn't disappoint with new drivers coming to the fore in the championship standings. With the world plunged into uncertainty and lockdown following the coronavirus pandemic, however, racing was on hiatus.

There was still hope, though, with the Formula E community banding together during this trying period with Esports, charitable activities in support of UNICEF and more, before the thrilling and unprecedented return at the six-race season finale in Berlin. It was here that Antonio Felix da Costa clinched his first Drivers’ Championship.

In 2019/20 the ABB FIA Formula E Championship became #PositivelyCharged, as the series, its partners, teams, drivers and fans work together to grow electric racing and light up the world with its transformative power.

Season 7 - 2020/21

After six seasons of racing on the streets of the world's most progressive cities, Formula E gained World Championship status, a move granted by the FIA - motorsport's governing body in December 2019.

Season 7 saw the most competitive line-up in motor racing fight it out for the inaugural world title. With 12 teams, including 10 manufacturer outfits, and 24 of the best drivers from around the globe.

Diriyah not only provided the spectacular backdrop to the first race of the season, but it also broke new ground as the host to Formula E's inaugural night races. This set in motion an enthralling run to the title that saw races in Valencia, Puebla and a return to the streets of London.

In the end, only one could become champion and that honour was handed to Nyck de Vries. The Dutchman, and his teammate Stoffel Vandoorne, also helped Mercedes in sealing the Teams’ Championship for the first time in their Formula E history.

Season 8 - 2021/22

2021/22 was another momentous season for Formula E, with new innovations introduced, new locations visited, and some major milestones achieved.

The first was the introduction of a brand-new, never-before-seen qualifying format to shake up the action on race day. There were the usual group stages, but instead of leading to ‘Superpole', they now fed into one-on-one duels - a one-shot lap for the drivers to battle for the pole position.

The championship also hit its 100th race at the final race of the season in Seoul, South Korea. Jakarta in Indonesia also held its first event, as the championship said a fond farewell to its beloved GEN2 era. Stoffel Vandoorne and Mercedes also finished the season as champions, a second consecutive year for the German team but a first for the Belgian driver.

Season 9 - 2022/23

The 2022/23 season introduced a new era for Formula E with the GEN3 car, which was lighter, faster, and far more powerful than its predecessor, with an additional front powertrain for enhanced regenerative braking for the first time.

The season also saw a reshuffled grid with new teams like Maserati and NEOM McLaren joining the championship, as well as new race locations including Hyderabad and Cape Town, and rule changes such as a lap-based race format and opportunities for fresh talent with Rookie Free Practice sessions introduced to attract the best young drivers from the world of motorsport.

Another close battle unfolded for the title, but it was Briton’s Jake Dennis who left as World Champion. The Andretti driver locked in 11 podiums across the 16 rounds of the calendar to set a new record. Envision Racing also secured the Teams’ Championship for the first time in their history.

Season 10 - 2023/24

The 10th season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in 2024 featured an expanded 17-race calendar and the second season of the GEN3 car.

The campaign also marked the introduction of the Manufacturers' Trophy, which would become the Manufacturers’ World Championship, won by Jaguar, while Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche secured the Drivers' Championship.

New race locations saw the series make an inaugural visit to Japan, with Tokyo hosting a race for the first time. We also made our return to China for the first time since Season 5, with Shanghai joining the calendar.

Season 11 - 2024/25

The GEN3 Evo hit the track for Season 11, with acceleration hitting a new stratosphere - the car propelling from 0-100kph in just 1.86 seconds, which was 36% faster than its GEN3 predecessor and faster than a contemporary Formula 1 car.

It featured a new all-wheel-drive (AWD) system and optimised Hankook iON all-weather tyres offering 5-10% more grip and made with 35% recycled and sustainable materials.

The car maintained a top speed of 322kph, had a minimum weight of 859 kg with the driver, and delivered 350kW maximum power across both axles during key moments, boasting 600kW maximum regenerative braking capacity from combined front and rear powertrains.

The aerodynamic body kit was updated for enhanced aerodynamics and robustness, featuring a revised front wing, contributing to an estimated 2% overall performance gain.

Season 12 - 2025/26

The 2025/26 season marked the swansong campaign for the GEN3 Evo, with the all-electric championship looking ahead to the future and the introduction of a brand new era - the GEN4.

The 17-race calendar saw the grid revisit some old favourites, with Berlin, Monaco and Mexico creating some unforgettable racing moments. Meanwhile, Formula E returned to Sanya for the first time since 2019, and Tokyo became a spectacular night race.

At the end of the season, it was Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein who was crowned Drivers’ World Champion, whilst Jaguar TCS Racing took home the honours in the Teams’ standings.

Formula E Frequently Asked Questions

The origins of Formula E can be traced back to a meeting at a restaurant between founder Alejandro Agag and former FIA President Jean Todt. That dinner conversation saw the pair draft out plans for an all-electric street racing series on a napkin.

A few words and notes became the basis for the world's first all-electric international single-seater championship. In just three years, Formula E transitioned from a concept to a reality, with a full grid showcasing sustainable mobility and clean electric vehicles. It also helped that there was great racing thrown into the mix.

September 13, 2014, over 10 years ago, Formula E debuted in Beijing, China, with a race around the famous Bird's Nest stadium that hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

The stats will show that Lucas di Grassi won the first-ever race, but it will forever be remembered for the spectacular, final lap crash between Nicolas Prost and Nick Heidfeld as the Frenchman looked for a pass on Formula 1 legend at the last corner.

Watch the full 2014 Beijing E-Prix here.

All-electric motorsport had arrived, forever marking itself on the racing scene.

Pit stops, cars and racing, a lot has changed in over 10 years. What first started with the GEN1 race car saw the drivers changing their cars partway through the race - pulling into the pits to literally leap into a fresh car with a fully charged battery - was superseded by the GEN2 machine.

The Batmobile-esque GEN2 saw the end of the pit stop as the cars raced flat-out, but we did see the introduction of ATTACK MODE. Here, the drivers would leave the optimum racing line to get a power boost over a set time period.

Partway through the GEN2 era, there was a shake-up to the qualifying format with the introduction of the Duels. Two groups of 11 are whittled down, and then the top four from each group battle for pole position.

Next up was GEN3, and the lightest, fastest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built. Inspired by a fighter jet, racing became even closer and more action-packed than ever before.

An evolution came ahead of Season 11 with the introduction of GEN3 Evo, and Formula E was set to get a whole lot quicker, bringing forward the quickest accelerating FIA single-seater race car – Capable of 0-60mph in 1.82 seconds (0-100kph in 1.86s).

The GEN3 Evo was not only quick off the line, but saw the introduction of All-Wheel Drive (AWD) to single-seater racing - giving the drivers more grip during the Duels, the race start and ATTACK MODE phases.

Find out more about the cars and technology in Formula E.

Season 13 - 2026/27

This year will mark the start of Formula E’s GEN4 era - the most exciting chapter of the all-electric championship to date.

Capable of reaching speeds in excess of 335kph, 0-100kph in approximately 1.8 seconds, and 0-200kph in just 4.4 seconds - 1.5 seconds faster than its predecessor - GEN4 will deliver 50% more power in race mode than the current GEN3 Evo race car.

The GEN4 car will be an average of 10 seconds faster per lap than the GEN3 car in qualifying mode. In ATTACK MODE, GEN4 produces up to 600kW of power, a 71% increase in base output over GEN3 Evo, delivering performance that pushes the limits of electric racing. GEN4 is the only single-seater race car with permanent all-wheel drive.

A record-breaking 21-race calendar will also see the championship expand to iconic motorsport venues Brands Hatch, Circuit of The Americas (COTA), and Zandvoort with new ‘E-PrixUnleashed’ performance race format.