Formula E Is the Future, and I Finally Got to See It Up Close
- Damian Hall
- Jul 29
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Formula E is proving that motorsport can do more than entertain. It can innovate, include and inspire without leaving anyone behind.
Covering my first Formula E race in person was a look into the future of motorsport. And I’m still trying to take it all in.
The on-track action is what first drew me in. Formula E racing is elbows out from lights to flag. The field is close, the battles are fierce, and yes, the cars rub. But instead of ending races, contact becomes part of the spectacle. These machines are tough, and the drivers go wheel to wheel lap after lap, on circuits set up right in the heart of global cities. It’s electric racing that’s just as exciting live as it is on TV, maybe even more.
The GEN3 Evo cars are the fastest, lightest, and most efficient electric race cars ever made, built for both performance and purpose. These cars accelerate from 0 to 60mph in just 1.82 seconds, faster than a current F1 car, and recover nearly half the energy they use during a race through regenerative braking. They’re so finely tuned that drivers have to manage energy all the way to the chequered flag, crossing the line with 0 percent. That’s not just thrilling, it’s surgical.
And the next generation of Formula E cars is set to deliver power on par with Formula 1. Dan Cherowbrier, Formula E's Chief Technical Officer, explained that Gen 4 machines will be comparable to F1 cars in terms of power delivery, showing just how far the series has come.
What’s even more exciting is that every bit of tech developed here can trickle down to the road cars we’ll drive tomorrow. Much of that innovation is supported by ABB, Formula E’s title partner and a global leader in electrification and automation. From the charging units that power the cars between sessions to software that manages energy efficiency across the paddock and broadcast compounds, ABB plays a vital role in ensuring the championship is as sustainable as it is high-performing. Their tech helps reduce emissions not just at the track, but across the series’ global operations.
It’s no surprise then that Formula E is the only motorsport that operates at zero emissions and the first-ever sport certified to BSI’s Net Zero Pathway.
Tyre technology is another area where Formula E pushes boundaries. Supplied exclusively by Hankook, the all-weather iON race tyres are built for both wet and dry conditions, reducing the need for multiple compounds and cutting down waste. Teams are given just six tyres per car to last the entire weekend, a stark contrast to other series that go through dozens. Once used, the tyres are fully recycled, making them a key part of the sport’s wider sustainability strategy.
While Formula E is a race series, it does a lot off the track as well.
Events like Inspiration Hour are a prime example. Designed to open doors for underrepresented groups, this community-driven initiative gives aspiring creatives, media professionals, and young fans a chance to go behind the scenes of the paddock. Through talks, guided tours, and direct interaction with Formula E staff and partners, participants gain insight into the wide range of careers available in motorsport beyond just driving. It’s an hour that can genuinely shift perspectives and open pathways.
That commitment extends even further through initiatives like the Better Futures Fund, which supports impactful local projects in every host city. For Season 11, Formula E increased its support by 150 percent, pledging €25,000 per city to causes that tackle inequality, empower underserved communities and promote environmental protection. In London, the fund backed the Change Please Foundation, a social enterprise that helps people experiencing homelessness through training, support, and employment.
Their Driving for Change programme turns London buses into mobile support centres, providing everything from mental health aid to housing advice. Formula E’s funding helped refit a new bus to expand service into Barking & Dagenham and Dartford. Race week activities included volunteer support and a talk from Change Please CEO Cemal Ezel OBE, who discussed the project’s life-changing impact.
Formula E also continues to uplift young women through the FIA Girls on Track programme. Designed for girls aged 12 to 18, the initiative gives them hands-on experience and career exposure within motorsport. From behind-the-scenes tours to career talks with women across engineering, sustainability, media and more, the programme has impacted over 4,500 young women globally and continues to grow.
At the Fan Village, visitors weren’t just spectators. They were part of an experience. There was a blend of educational and entertaining activations, from stations teaching about future mobility to temporary tattoos, reflex tests, and tons of opportunities to win cool prizes. There was even a viewing area set up to feel like you were in a giant living room, giving the whole space the atmosphere of a watch party at a friend’s house.
One particularly smart feature was how the simulator experience was managed. Normally, at similar racing events, large crowds gather and wait to try the sim, which can be discouraging. But here, Formula E used a system where visitors scanned a code to join a virtual queue and were called back when it was their turn. This allowed them to continue exploring the village instead of standing in line. It worked brilliantly. Every time I passed the sim zone, there was a full grid racing, but never an overwhelming line in sight.
Two standout programmes caught my attention:
Race for Diversity made its Formula E debut, giving young people a hands-on opportunity to explore the world of motorsport. From a racing simulator running a virtual version of the London circuit using R Factor 2 software to photo moments in junior karting gear, the activation wasn’t just fun, it was impactful.
"The opportunities are endless. Essentially what we do is to get our young people excited, inspire them, nurture them and create a safe space where they belong," shared Evelkah Powell, Race for Diversity’s manager. Originally from Anguilla, she hopes to extend the programme to the Caribbean.
Race for Diversity aims to inspire and encourage young people to participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and later pursue careers in motorsport. Their work is vital to building a more inclusive industry, and it’s backed up by real impact – 79% of the students they reach come from ethnically underrepresented backgrounds, and 99% say they leave with a better understanding of what’s possible.
Then there was S-RC, a youth engineering initiative where students build and race their own electric kit cars. At Formula E, they set up a simulator to give fans a taste of what their cars feel like.
"Our current kit cars reach a max speed of 25 MPH out the box, you can get that up to 30 to 35 depending on how you tune it. Today if you set the fastest lap we give you the chance to name one of the corners at our new track at Whilton," said founder Pete Hewage.
The S-RC programme runs an RC car racing series exclusively for secondary schools, with races hosted at universities across the country on tracks built by the S-RC team. The next season of touring begins in January 2026, and the highest scoring schools throughout the season will be invited to the finals at Whilton Mill.
Also present during the London E-Prix weekend was Driven By Us, who filmed an episode of their podcast live on stage in front of an audience. The organisation, which champions inclusion in motorsport, also invited me to join their members during the Inspiration Hour tour, a gesture that further highlighted Formula E’s community-driven spirit.
Between the tech, the racing, and the outreach, Formula E feels like motorsport reimagined. It's not just electric. It's inclusive, accessible, and focused on more than just lap times. The sport is certified net zero and leads the world in sustainable event management. It’s not a side story. It’s the standard now.
And when you look at access, in comparison to other series, Formula E races in city centres, making it easier for everyday fans to attend. You don’t need to rent a car, figure out countryside hotels or rely solely on event shuttles. For the London E-Prix, fans just hopped on the train to the ExCeL Centre and walked in. That kind of access is rare.
Formula E isn’t just shaping the future of motorsport. It’s building a better one for everyone.
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