The FIA has revealed Formula E’s long-term Sporting and Technical regulations as part of its continuing cost-saving measures in the face of the coronavirus pandemic while also revealing details of the series’ Gen3 car.
Following a number of decisions earlier this season, including the delayed introduction of the Gen2 EVO facelift until the 2021/22 season, the FIA’s changes will allow for a further reduction of spending in the future.
After extending the homologation period to two years, meaning teams could only change powertrain components once over a two-season spell, the FIA has added more flexibility to this process, allowing new cars to be introduced for Season 7.
Furthermore, from next season a team’s tyre allocation will be reduced by 25% per single race and up to 50% at a double-header event, improving sustainability and reducing the championship’s environmental impact.
Each team’s operation staff will also be cut from 20 members to 17 while only one remote garage featuring a maximum of six people will be authorised, reducing the carbon footprint of the championship as fewer people attend events.
The use of brake discs and pads will also be controlled over the course of a season to reduce cost, while limits on software, bodywork and sensors are also being explored to reduce non-essential spending.
Also establishing a Logistics Working Group, logistical costs will also be optimised while Formula E is also working on a redistribution of prize money from the 2020/21 season, ensuring all competitors can challenge for wins under controlled costs.
Following the news that Williams Advanced Engineering will supply battery systems in Formula E’s Gen3 era, the FIA also released details on the championship’s future vehicle which will be introduced for the 2022/23 season.
Spark Racing Technology will continue to produce the chassis of the vehicle while all-weather Hankook tyres will be used, with the South Korean company replacing Michelin who have supplied tyres since the series’ inaugural season in 2014.
The Gen3 car will see a significant power increase to 350kW in qualifying to 300kW in races while in Season 8, Formula E’s current Gen2 format will see an increased race power outage to 220kW.
The regenerative braking power will also be increased to 600kW – both front and rear – compared to the 250kW rear-only regen of the current Spark SRT05e while fast charging will also be used to create “more exciting and unpredictable racing.”
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