Formula E’s CEO Jeff Dodds says their format is designed for a modern attention span, and that audiences no longer want to sit through a race that takes over an hour.
The comments come as Formula One is under increased pressure from its fully electric open-wheel rival.
“They’re going through a period of consolidation and that’s good timing for us,” CEO Jeff Dodds said.
The upcoming 2026/2027 season of Formula E will feature a new generation of racing cars.
The Gen4 cars will be able to reach speeds in excess of 335 km/h and will go 0–100 km/h in around 1.8 seconds. They’ll also be 10 seconds faster per lap than their predecessor while in qualifying mode.
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Though the Gen4 cars will accelerate faster than Formula 1, they’re still behind on top speed. The current crop of Formula 1 cars is able to exceed 355 km/h.
But it’s not just the technology that’s catching up. Dodds says the format is better tailored to modern audiences.
“I think the next generation of motorsport fans doesn’t have the attention span to watch for 90 minutes,” Dodds said.
“I won’t stick around and watch the whole race. I watch the start of it, I go missing for the middle of it and I come back and watch at the end.”
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The series also considers that modern audiences are more likely to be watching television with a phone in their hand.
“The qualifying format is designed for that generation of fan base,” Dodds said.
“It is short, sharp, one lap, flat to the floor, send it.”
“We know that creates great clip content and our fans love it. It’s the second screen stuff. It’s digital content, it’s working with creators.”
NEW TECH LEADS TO A CHANGE OF STRATEGY
Formula E’s newly announced tyre partnership is also simplifying racing strategy.
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Last week Formula E announced Bridgestone will be the sole supplier for the upcoming season. All cars will be racing with the new “Potenza Gen4” tyre in the dry conditions, and the “Typhoon” tyre in the wet.
Bridgestone says they have designed the tyres to withstand the almost instantaneous power and torque generated by the electric Gen4 cars without degrading through the race.
This contrasts with Formula One, where the cars race on a finite number of soft, medium or hard tyres over a weekend.
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Tyre strategy plays an enormous role in F1 race success, and often leads to drivers backing off the pace to preserve grip.
Formula E promises that tyres will maintain their performance from the first to the last lap.
Dodds believes that this series will be the best yet for the increasingly competitive fully electric series.
“We have a brand new car, a new calendar, a new broadcast deal with Disney, new suppliers like Bridgestone coming in,” Dodds said.
“It feels like at the moment we’re unlocking this incredible next generation for Formula E.”
“I think the timing is really good for us.”