- Paddock speculation grew on Thursday that a second manufacturer could imminently commit to the Gen4 rules era, possibly even this week in Monaco. Nissan confirmed its long-term commitment to Formula E last month meaning that of the present OEM’s Porsche AG, Jaguar Land Rover, Mahindra, Lola-Yamaha and Stellantis (DS and Maserati) could make announcements soon.
- Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds told Formula E Notebook (FEN) in Misano earlier this month that he expects one of the present manufacturers to make a positive announcement shortly, saying that: “The deadline for registration is the end of June and we’ve got seven manufacturers today on the track if you include Lola-Yamaha.
- “My gut feeling is in the next week to two weeks; we’ll get our second one confirmed based on conversations we’re having. So, by the 30th of June, those within our existing stable that are going to register for Gen4 should have done and maybe they’ll even be from outside of our existing stable of manufacturers.”
- FEN understands that Formula E is internally anticipating a minimum of five and a maximum of eight manufacturers to be part of the Gen4 rules set which will begin at the end of 2026.
- FIA technical chief Xavier Mestelen-Pinon told FEN that he strongly believes that the financial regulations imposed in Formula E last year were integral to and informed the formulation the Gen3 Evo design which will be revealed this evening.
- “It is something that we have, we need to manage properly,” said Mestelen-Pinon.
- “The target is to improve the pace of the car and to improve the series, but at the same time it has to be in a smart way. If we start to spend crazy amounts like some other series it’s not sustainable, not only in terms of materials, but the spirit of the series also. This is my strong opinion and we have to be smart.”
- The calendar for the 2024-25 ABB FIA Formula E world championship is close to a provisional completion and will be submitted to the FIA World Motorsport Council in June. A draft schedule that is doing the rounds in the paddock between teams sees a start in December at Sao Paulo before races in Mexico City and Diriyah at the start of 2025. Further races in Monaco, Berlin, Italy, the U.S, Jakarta, Shanghai and the UK are also detailed in the draft which is said to still be fluid.
- DS Penske has made a notable change to its senior staff for the Monaco EPrix as experienced team manger Nigel Beresford is believed to have moved on from the Franco-American squad between Misano and Monaco.
- The experienced Beresford had previously worked for the Dragon Racing and DS Techeetah squads, joining the latter in 2018. FEN believes that his position at the team for the rest of the season will take up by former Dragon Racing Chief Mechanic Chris Bluett, who joins the team from the Seabird Technologies Marine industry company.
- The FIA’s circuit racing chief Marek Nawarecki told FEN that the Gen3 Evo car will contribute to both more exciting acceleration and an improved impact for the attack mode than the first iteration of the Gen3 car.
- “The acceleration, probably qualifying, will be even more dynamic. I think on certain tracks it could be even more challenging for the drivers so that means that we can have a good show there. For example, we saw the evolution of the attack mode so that could also have a positive impact on this one,” said Nawarecki.
- Formula E Notebook can reveal that Callum Ilott recently spent time in the Jaguar TCS Racing DiL simulator as an evaluation session took place the week after the Misano races. The current Jota Porsche WEC driver is believed to be a possibility for more sessions and support for Jaguar throughout the season between his Indycar and WEC commitments.
- BMW Team WRT driver Dries Vanthoor is in the frame for a Berlin rookie test seat according to information received by FEN. The Belgian shares a BMW Hypercar in the WEC this season with Raffaele Marciello and Marco Wittmann.
- DS Automobiles conducted a test immediately after the Misano EPrix at the Varano Circuit in central Italy. As well as running Maserati MSG drivers Maximilian Guenther and Jehan Daruvala, FEN understands that Chilean WEC LMGT3 driver Nicolas Pino also got miles. This is known to have been in a Gen2 with the United Autosports McLaren LMGT3 driver being evaluated as part of Stellantis’ young driver programme.
- FEN understands Pino is in talks with Maserati MSG over a seat at the Tempelhof test next month, with several other WEC drivers also believed to be journeying over from Spa to Berlin.
- The Mahindra team is set to work with both the MTS technical and the Mercedes HPP division as part of its technical package for the Gen3Evo era and possibly Gen4 beyond that. Mercedes HPP is believed to be an optimisation element to Mahindra’s technical squad for the coming season, while MTS will deliver some of the powertrain hardware.
- Envision Racing driver Paul Aron, who is set to make his Formula E debut at Berlin next month, will be in attendance this weekend to immerse himself further in the team ahead of his races at Berlin Tempelhof.
- Mahindra Formula E team principal, Frederic Bertrand says that the manufacturers decision on whether it commits to Gen4 is yet to be decided but FEN understands is likely to be by mid-June.
- “I would say its positive on the fact that the DNA of the team is definitely Formula E and the wish of the Mahindra management is definitely to stay in the championship as long as possible,” Bertrand told FEN.
- “The question is more now on how we convince that we can deliver what we are promising which is a team which is progressing. They don’t expect necessarily to win tomorrow, but still to have a view on the capability of the team to progress up to the top level and in between to be in the midfield will be important.”
- Well-known motorsport businessman and philanthropist Sir Colin Giltrap died last week at the age of 84. The New Zealander significantly assisted the career of many Kiwi racing drivers over several decades, including current Jaguar TCS Racing driver Mitch Evans.
- Evans paid tribute to his former mentor on his Instagram page saying that “Colin and the Giltrap family supported me for over 20 years and have been with me every step of the way.
- “I’ll forever be in his debt to the opportunities they have given me. I’ll miss everything about Colin especially his presence at the track but his legacy and the impact he’s had on this world will last forever.”
- The ABT|Marian M 800-R electric sports boat is moored in Monaco at Port Hercule, Pontoon F this weekend. Additionally, the team’s Gen3 show car will be prominently displayed at the Monaco train station throughout the race week.
- McLaren CEO Zak Brown will make his second visit to the Formula E paddock this weekend after previously appearing at Diriyah in January. Recently confirmed Chief Marketing Officer, Louise McEwan, will also be in attendance.
- The world of test beds is explored by Formula E Notebook via a partnership with the AVL RACETECH company and its work with many manufacturers and racing teams in the area of controlled and dedicated test bed analysis, testing and development. You can read all about the work and how AVL RACETECH assists racing and automotive companies HERE.
Header image: Spacesuit Media.
