Formula E embraces 'overshadowed' problem after record-breaker launch

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds has highlighted that the series plans to embrace its brand-new Gen4 race car "overshadowing" the current Gen3 Evo, despite half a season still remaining before its competitive introduction.

Last week at Circuit Paul Ricard, Formula E launched its new Gen4 race car, which is set to be introduced next season as the fastest-accelerating FIA single-seater.

The car has received widespread praise on social media across the globe, with many eager to see it on track and in person for the first time.

Formula E's challenge is managing the excitement surrounding Gen4 while the current campaign still has 11 races remaining, starting with this weekend's double-header in Berlin.

Dodds accepts how much attention the new Gen4 is going to attract over the current season — the last of the Gen3 era — but it is something that a plan is in place for.

To balance the excitement of Gen4 while ensuring what looks set to be another thrilling title fight is not forgotten, Formula E intends to showcase its new car at select upcoming races through circuit demonstrations, as well as static displays.

The ambition is that the two elements — the new Gen4 and the current campaign reaching its midpoint — can work together, rather than one being left behind.

Asked how difficult it is keeping fans focused on the current season, given the incredible distraction that is Gen4, Dodds explained to RacingNews365: "It's such a good point, with six locations to go, and I think it's probably going to be one of the most closely contested title races in the history of Formula E.

"Jaguar and Porsche look super close together in their manufacturers' and teams' races at the moment, with Mahindra not far behind them, and Pascal Wehrlein being closely chased by the Jaguar drivers and Edoardo Mortara.

"So it does feel like it's coming down to the wire this season. I think it's super exciting, but it is quite tricky, isn't it? Because we've got a race car today that we know creates really competitive on-track racing and is a brilliant racing car, but it's going to be overshadowed by this incredible Gen4 car that's coming.

"And I think we can try to resist that, or we can try to lean into it a little bit. So we're going to very much be focusing, in equal measure, on what's happening on track and the excitement of this race series, but we're not going to shy away from the fact that people want to see the new car, they want to hear a bit more about it, and they want to see it on track.

"So what we will do is kind of partner those two things together."