Most of us that hang out in the MEW Sports Corner are dedicated Formula 1 fans. But, with the arrival of Formula E in Cape Town this weekend, I thought it might be worthwhile putting together a little Formula E primer.
It is a bit funny/weird/odd/strange/sad (delete as applicable) that we haven’t really taken to FE too much. The series is already in its ninth season, and you really don’t have to look too hard to spot the number of Formula 1 connected drivers: Vandoorne (the current Champion), Vergne, di Grassi, Felix da Costa, Wehrlein, Buemi are some of the names F1 followers will recognize.
The 2022–23 season is the first season for the new Formula E Gen3 car. It’s also a season where there’s guaranteed to be a new Team’s Champion. While Vandoorne did return to defend his crown, the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team did not. (The Merc-EQ entry and assets were purchased by McLaren who are using Nissan powertrains in their debut FE season.)
Another completely new team entry into the 22-23 season is Maserati. They become the first Italian manufacturer in the series, and the first time that Maserati is competing as a constructor in a major world motorsport series since leaving Formula 1 in the 1950s.
The season comprises 16 rounds, and while it is officially referred to as the “2022–23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship”, all 16 rounds are being run in 2023. Traditionally, the Formula E season starts towards the end of the year in Saudi Arabia, when it’s cooler. It then runs through the first half of the next year, concluding with a number of ePrix in Europe in the northern hemisphere summer.
There are 11 race venues this year, with 5 cities hosting double header events. The Cape Town ePrix is Round 5.
The base car that all the teams use is the Formula E Gen3, also known as the Spark Gen3, or simply, the Gen3. It is the successor to the SRT05e and is constructed by Spark Racing Technology. It will be used as the base car for all manufacturers and teams from the 2022–23 Formula E World Championship onwards.
Spark Racing Technology build the chassis and supply the front axles, Williams Advanced Engineering supply the batteries, and Hankook supply all-weather tires that incorporate bio-material and sustainable rubber.
The estimated top speed is set at 322 km/h (200 mph). The battery will also be designed to be able to handle “flash-charging” at rates of up to 600 kW (800 hp), allowing pitstop recharging into the championship for the first time.
The Gen3’s wheelbase is 2,970 mm and it weighs 760 kg.
Formula E has some interesting rules and regulations. And the way Qualifying is handled is very (very!) different to Formula 1 (or anything else for that matter!) Here’s a couple of Cliffs Notes summaries:
And finally, a full preview of the Formula E Season 9: All the new cars, new teams, new drivers, new venues, and new rules in one handy 25-minute package:
Like and subscribe if you want to see more Formula E content. 
Regardless, I’ll be back with some Cape Town ePrix specific info soon enough.
