Formula E issues bold statement as FIA confirms key major changes

Formula E confirms a 17-race 2025/26 calendar after the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting. The season begins December 6 in São Paulo, alongside sporting and financial regulation updates.

The championship spans 11 cities, with Sanya returning. Jakarta drops off after talks missed a confirmation deadline, despite an extension agreed in principle.

As a result, the calendar reduces from a planned 18 to 17 rounds. That shifts competitive emphasis to consistency and reliability across a longer, logistically demanding schedule.

New venues feature the Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium. A rookie practice session is added there, while Madrid continues to host a day-long rookie test at Jarama.

Mexico City returns in January, maintaining the blend of established hubs and fresh markets that Formula E prioritises for calendar balance and commercial reach.

Qualifying group stages shorten from 12 to 10 minutes. Reduced intervals between knockout phases increase intensity, compress preparation time, and heighten track evolution management for engineers and drivers.

Pit Boost events now require only one Attack Mode activation. That simplifies strategy yet raises pressure on timing, energy targets, and traffic windows. Non-Pit Boost races keep the existing format.

Financially, the cost cap now excludes maternity and parental pay. Teams can support staff during life events without these expenses affecting competitive budgets or triggering trade-offs in performance development.

Co-founder Alberto Longo positions the change as a milestone for equality and culture. It aligns sporting credibility with modern employment standards across a fast-growing, international championship.

Jakarta’s absence appears procedural rather than strategic. Discussions continue, leaving scope for a future return, while Sanya’s comeback reinforces Formula E’s presence in a key automotive market.

A 17-round season elevates reliability, error minimisation, and resource rotation. With rookie mileage expanded, teams can trial talent without sacrificing core preparation for competitive sessions.

Together, the calendar and format changes aim to amplify jeopardy without gimmickry. Expect a compact qualifying show and more strategic clarity when the season opens in December.

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