The 2024 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix is just days away, and what an exciting location to kickstart Season 10. The party atmosphere, complete with fantastic racing and so many unknowns, makes it one impossible to miss.
We got a small glimpse of what to expect from October’s Valencia Testing, but the real test will come in Mexico when the 22-car grid takes to the stage and shows us all what they really have up their (race suit) sleeves.
Here are some moments we think you should be looking out for!
GEN3 follows up record-breaking first season
One of the most fascinating aspects of last year was the introduction of the GEN3. The latest FIA Formula E car is the fastest, lightest and most sustainable yet, breaking record after record during its inaugural campaign in Season 9. Across the grid last year we had seven different winners, and 11 drivers stood on the podium across the 16 rounds. There were even 19 drivers that took their turn leading a lap! It showed us all just how close this championship is, and the quality of drivers that race here.
Last year in Mexico City saw the first running of these cars during an official Formula E race weekend. Cold temperatures in the early morning sessions, and a unique 2.63km track, all contributed to the challenging task of getting to grips with this new generation of electric machine. However, with a season of racing now under their belts, expect even faster times and much more confidence. It’s going to be epic.
Powertrain potential: Which Formula E teams are in the fight?
Formula E provided us with brilliant battles in Season 9, including in the Teams’ standings and Drivers’ World Championship. But, what made the wins for Jake Dennis (Andretti) and Envision Racing so unique was the fact both respective cars were run by a powertrain supplier.
Andretti were, and still are, powered by Porsche for GEN3. Their 99X Electric led Dennis to two wins and 11 podiums in Season 9, which was enough to see him crowned champion in front of an emotional London home crowd. However, despite supplying Andretti with the powertrains, Porsche could only manage fourth in the Drivers’ standings with Pascal Wehrlein and fourth in the Teams’ World Championship. They picked up four wins over the course of the year, and were the only team on the grid to get wins on either side of the garage, but it wasn't enough. Disappointing qualifying results plagued their 2022/23 campaign, but they’ll be hoping to start their season off strong again in Mexico.
Similarly, Envision are customers of Jaguar. Although both teams achieved four wins apiece in Season 9, it was Envision that came out on top. Nick Cassidy wound up a close second in the championship and was key in the team finally securing a title, having raced in every season to-date. Cassidy has made the jump to the factory Jaguar TCS Racing outfit for Season 10 alongside Mitch Evans. It’s rightly one of the most hyped driver line-ups ever seen in Formula E, and the British team will be desperate to end the year on top.
READ MORE: Jaguar boss Barclay on importance of starting strong in Season 10
The next season will be fascinating to see these intense battles play out between supplier and customer, and we’re ready to see it all unfold.
Familiar faces return: Who is on the Formula E grid in 2024?
We might be biassed, but we love our Season 10 grid. Home to seven of our champions, and a huge wealth of talent, there are so many awesome individuals to cheer and support. This season we welcome back some big names, including Season 8 champion Nyck de Vries. The Dutchman, who is back after a stint in Formula 1, is where he belongs and is ready to race for Mahindra. Naturally, it’s a big talking point going into Mexico City and there will be lots of eyes on him.
But, he’s not the only guy making a comeback. Oliver Rowland is returning to Nissan, after leaving Mahindra and ultimately the championship in the middle of last season. The “mutual agreement” to part ways came after the Monaco E-Prix, however Yorkshireman Rowland is back at Nissan where he previously spent three seasons.
READ MORE: Meet the grid: Which drivers are racing in Formula E Season 10?
There is also a newbie on the grid for Season 10, as Formula E extends a warm welcome to Maserati MSG Racing’s Jehan Daruvala. The 25-year-old was born in Dadar, Bombay and will become only the third Indian driver to race in a World Championship single-seater motorsport when he hits the track in Mexico.
New season, new driver line-ups
One of the biggest storylines for Season 10 was the chaos of the silly season. All but three teams (Porsche, ERT and DS PENSKE) on the grid have new line-ups, and naturally with a new job it can take time to get used to your surroundings. Of course, these drivers have had several months since Season 9 concluded in July to bed themselves into the new team, in addition to pre-season and private tests. But, for most, this will be the first experience of a race weekend with their new team. The pressure will be on, and expectations are high.
