São Paulo Race News…
New Driver Guidelines Founded
FIA race director Marek Hanaczewski has completed, published and distributed the new guidelines for driver etiquette. FEN understands that these include a definition of who will have the right to a corner when an overtaking move is occurring and completed.
The measures, which are not regulatory, but will outline in guidelines overtaking manoeuvres that are expected to be completed in a fully controlled manner by both the attacking and defending drivers. Defending and overtaking drivers have shared responsibility to ensure the manoeuvre is completed without any contact and within the limits of the racetrack. Each incident resulting from the non-respect of these guidelines will be judged independently.
Formula E Notebook has learned that CUPRA Kiro’s Gary Paffett was one of several drivers/ex-drivers who helped advise the FIA. Paffett said he thought that the guidelines are “very sensible” and that he thought it would make overtaking “more possible and stop some of the overly aggressive defending that we have seen. They just need to be strict to enforce them from day one.”
Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein told FEN that he “hoped for more consistency in the future, because those rules apply to us and also the stewards, so they will have a look and probably will speak about some penalties or no penalties depending on the guidelines.
“In general, I think the approach is good, it brings a bit more clarity for the drivers, but then also for the stewards for a decision to be made,” added Wehrlein. “We have a few unique scenarios like the coasting and in the past we’ve seen some moves under coasting which now is pretty clear that it’s not allowed anymore.
“The peloton races there are some situations where it’s quite easy to overtake on the outside, but where do you really have to be on the outside to be eligible for staying there on the outside? When is the inside car forced to leave that space? So, it’s good to have that clarity but let’s see how it works out.”
Gen4 Times Revealed!
Formula E Notebook has exclusively acquired lap times from the recent Gen4 manufacturer test at Monteblanco. Jaguar, Lola, Nissan and Stellantis all had cars at the test which took the format of six sessions spaced over three days.
While Stellantis, Nissan and Jaguar completed a reasonable amount of laps, Porsche missed two full sessions but did complete the most wet laps on the final day, while Lola spent the majority of time in the pits or completing installation and system check laps.
Top Times (driver in bold set fastest lap)
1 Jaguar (Stoffel Vandoorne/Antonio Felix da Costa) 1m20.626s
2 Stellantis (Andre Lotterer/Nick Cassidy) 1m20.734s
3 Nissan (Benoit Treluyer) 1m22.015s
4 Porsche (Nico Mueller) 1m26.813s
5 Lola (Lucas di Grassi/Zane Maloney/Hugh Barter) 1m36.722
Laps Completed
Stellantis – 262laps
Nissan – 193laps
Jaguar – 119laps
Porsche -74laps
Lola – 36laps
A further group test is scheduled for mid-January at the Circuito Costa de Almería, southern Spain before manufacturers will start to conduct their own private testing days, of which they have 15 per calendar year.
Pascal Wehrlein confirmed to FEN today that he will get his first experience of the Gen4 car at the Almería test. Nick Cassidy is also known to be conducting the test for Stellantis too.
The FIA confirmed last month that for Season 13 (26/27) and the advent of the Gen4 era that customer cars supplied by manufacturers ‘must be supplied to the Competitors at the latest by 14 September 2026 (in kit form) or by 21 September 2026 (in assembled form).’ Homologation procedures will take place in October and November 2026.
FEN can also reveal that the official Gen4 test and development driver James Rossiter has been formally appointed by Formula E as the ‘Sporting Advisor and Gen4 Ambassador’ for the championship ahead of the Gen4 launch in April and the start of the rules set later in 2026. Rossiter attended the recent first Gen4 manufacturer test in which Nissan, Lola, Stellantis, Jaguar and Porsche ran cars for the first time.
Gen4 Testing Allocations
Gen4 manufacturers and teams have been made aware of their allocation for private testing days available. For teams supplying one team 40 days of running is granted for the period between Season 13 (2026-27) and Season 16 (2029-30). For two teams supplied the allocation is 44, while three supplied teams by a single manufacturer is granted 48. Of these days the supplied customer gets the possibility of four days under the ‘Additional Test Days’ allocation. (See below image)
Red Flag/FCY Control Mods
The FIA has updated the procedure for the “MaxSpeed FCY and RED Control” stipulation.
The update has been implemented on the threshold of the reduction to monitor the 50kph speed under Red Flag that will be triggered 8 seconds after signal deployment. Although this speed control provides drivers with a reaction time buffer, the regulations require drivers to reduce speed immediately to 50kph after the deployment of a Red Flag as per Articles 31.5 and 40.2. Therefore, a drivers’ reaction leading to a deceleration of the car must be seen immediately after the Red Flag signal is given from Race Control.
Infringements will be reported to the Stewards who may impose a penalty. Additionally, the Full Course Yellow will only be active before the allowance of a ‘pack-up’ order from the race director and will only apply to the leading car.
Mahindra ’50/50′ on customer plans
Mahindra’s chances of supplying a customer for the Gen4 period are said by team principal Frederic Bertrand to be 50/50 ahead of Season 13 which will begin around this time next year. Mahindra is obliged by regulation to supply a private team should they make an official approach and proposal.
Read the full story HERE.
Bird’s TV Tweetings
Recently confirmed Nissan reserve and development driver Sam Bird has become part of the Formula E TV presentation team for the season and will join well-known presenters and experts such as Nikki Shields, Andre Lotterer, James Rossiter, Catie Munnings, Karun Chandhok, Jamie Chadwick, Billy Monger, Alexa Rendell and David Coulthard. Lead commentary will again be undertaken by Tom Brooks, who first took up the lead mic at the 2023 Rome EPrix. Additions to the team in Season 12 are former Mercedes and McLaren engineer and strategy expert, Albert Lau, now with the PACETEQ software company, and U.S duo Ryan Myrehn and Georgia Henneberry.
Nato’s Ferrari Sim Work
Nissan’s Norman Nato is working for Scuderia Ferrari on its simulator this year and is assisting the preparation of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc with work at some Grand Prixs this season.
Several Formula E drivers work for F1 teams in and around some Grand Prix’s with Jake Dennis and Nyck de Vries sometimes working with Red Bull and McLaren respectively. De Vries in fact tested a year old McLaren F1 car at Paul Ricard last month to keep up his super licence points. FEN also understands that Nick Cassidy has been working with an F1 team in the simulator this year too.
Kiro’s Marti Party
CUPRA Kiro has high hopes for new recruit Pepe Marti, who will make his Formula E debut on Saturday afternoon.
“Pepe is a standout talent in his own right,” said team principal Russell O’Hagan. “Yes, he’s new to Formula E, and yes, it will take him some time to acclimatise, especially in a brand-new environment, but what we saw from him at testing was genuinely encouraging. With his speed, character, and dedication, I see a driver who can be a star of tomorrow with genuine long-term potential in our collaboration.
“I’m confident that he will learn a great deal from Dan, and I’m equally confident that Dan will be pushed forward by Pepe. That blend of youth, talent, and ambition is exactly what we want.”
Porsche Fined
Porsche has been fined for incorrectly allocated expenditures for components, software development costs, research and development costs for the Formula E powertrain, unused vehicle parts and outsourced services have been punished with a fine by the FIA. 11 different items where expenditures were not submitted correctly were logged by auditors working with the FIA.
“Although Porsche was found to have committed a procedural breach, the Cost Cap Administration acknowledged that Porsche did not exceed the cost cap for the two-year period, that Porsche cooperated fully throughout the review process, that this is the first full two-year review under the financial regulations for Formula E manufacturers, and that there is no evidence or indication of aggravating circumstances,” according to an official statement from the FIA.
“Under these circumstances, the Cost Cap Administration offered Porsche an agreement to acknowledge the infringement (known as an ABA) in order to resolve this matter. This offer was accepted by the manufacturer,” concludes the FIA statement.
Porsche will pay a fine of €50,000 to the FIA but will receive any sporting penalties as did Jaguar and Nissan in 2024. In addition, a further fine of €100,000 was imposed, but this will be suspended.
Season 12 Race Engineers
Below is the driver/engineer partnerships for 2025/26. Note that * marks a new collaboration for S12.
DS PENSKE
Barnard – Kyle Wilson Clarke*
Guenther – Ricardo Santos
CUPRA Kiro
Pepe Marti – Michael Lee*
Ticktum – Nico Morel
ABT CUPRA
Di Grassi – Markus Michelberger
Maloney – Christian Engelhardt
Citroen Racing
Cassidy – Pierre Paul Frey*
Vergne – Yann Coudouret*
Mahindra Racing
De Vries – Tom Bayles
Mortara – Tom Davis
Jaguar TCS Racing
Evans – Alan Cocks
Da Costa – Kazuto Shiomitsu
Porsche Formula E Team
Mueller – Marius Meier-Diedrich*
Wehrlein – Robert Sattler*
Envision Racing
Buemi – Connor Summerville
Eriksson – Ben Scott*
Nissan Formula E Team
Rowland – Richard Monin*
Nato – Jules Chambon
Andretti Formula E Team
Dennis – Sean McGill
Drugovich – Andres Castillo*
The Price is Right
Envision Racing team manager Leon Price will work at his final Formula E race this weekend after a stint that stretches back to midway through the inaugural 2014-15 season.
Price will join the Cadillac Hertz Team Jota FIA WEC team next month after already attending the Bahrain 8 Hours last month in an observation capacity. This weekend will bring to a close a Formula E career in which he was, after a brief stint with Mahindra in Season 1, a part of the Virgin DS Virgin/Envision squad that has won 15 EPrixs and the 2023 Teams’ title. Price will be replaced at Envision by a similarly long-term colleague, Matt Roberts, who joined Virgin Racing in late 2015.
Porsche’s Charity Push
Porsche is set to support several charities as part of its activities in Formula E this season. Under the motto “Racing for Charity”, Porsche will donate €400 for every race lap completed by its two factory-run Porsche 99X Electric cars during the 2025/2026 season. The donations will support three charitable organisations, including Kinderherzen retten e.V., Interplast Germany e.V., and the Ferry Porsche Foundation. The programme has already generated more than €2.4 million for charitable causes in recent years.
2025-26 Key Questions Answered
The Race recently ran a ‘key questions’ for Season 12 article in which champions and race winners in Season 12 were predicted. The feature includes opinions from FEN’s Sam Smith and Georgia Williams, as well as former Andretti commercial officer Jim Wright and lead commentator Tom Brooks. Read the article on The Race later today.
Also available via The Race is a special Season 12 preview podcast featuring new Citroen driver Nick Cassidy and former Mercedes and McLaren engineer Albert Lau. Listen HERE.
‘Driver’ Returns
The new series of Formula E’s documentary ‘Driver’ has been launched on Amazon Prime and will feature the chronicles of five drivers through the 2024-25 season. Then Porsche teammates Antonio Felix da Costa and Pascal Wehrlein are featured, while champion Oliver Rowland’s career and personal story is majored upon. Taylor Barnard and Dan Ticktum are also featured as the pair enter a war of words after an incident at the Shanghai EPrix last May.
You can watch the second season, again produced and directed by Astronaut Films and features additional input from Karun Chandhok, Nikki Shields and FEN founder Sam Smith HERE.
