Formula E introduced cost-saving measures

The fully-electric single-seater championship, the Formula E series has announced the introduction of key measures in order to promote long-term financial stability amid global coronavirus pandemic.

While the 2019/2020 Formula E Championship saw teams and drivers battling over five races, the season has been put on hold after the Marrakesh E-Prix that was staged at the end of February. Since the race in Morocco, Formula E has suspended its ongoing season at least until June after the Sanya, Rome, Paris, Seoul and Jakarta E-Prix had been all postponed. With most of the races taking place in streets, the unique format of the championship and the one-day schedule of race weekends, it looks particularly difficult for Formula E to reschedule the postponed events.

During this shutdown period, the Formula E organizers, the FIA, the teams and the manufacturer have decided to implement sporting changes in order to protect the financial stability of the series. As part of the measures, the launch of the Gen2 EVO cars has been postponed by two years until the 2021/2022 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

The FIA World Motor Sport Council ratified the decision to extend the homologation period that will only allow one single change to the powertrains for the manufacturers. The modification means that teams “either introduce a new car in season seven, for a two-year cycle, or continue to use existing technology for the next season before homologating a new car the year after for a single season,” read the Formula E statement.

Founder and Chairman of Formula E, Alejandro Agag welcomed the decision that has been agreed by the teams and the manufacturers unanimously.

"During these challenging times, we have taken a flexible approach. Not only with the quick and sensible decision to temporarily suspend the season, but now by implementing cost measures to lower development costs for the teams.”

“We listened to feedback from the teams and manufacturers and worked closely with the FIA to push back the launch of the Gen2 EVO and limit teams to a single homologation over the next two years. By doing so we have cut the projected car development costs in half. This was a necessary action to take to contain costs, given the health crisis and economic environment," he said.