Why 2026 is the biggest year in Formula E’s history

It is fair to say that every year since its introduction has been labelled the biggest in Formula E’s history, but there is a strong argument that 2026 genuinely is.

Exactly one year from today (1 January), the all-electric series will look very different, with Gen4’s first race likely already having taken place.

At this moment in time, however, that feels a distant prospect, as Formula E is in the early stages of the final campaign of Gen3’s modified EVO era – with its second round in Mexico City taking place next weekend.

This year and next carry a sense of make-or-break for Formula E – something that has been said on countless occasions – a championship that has embraced being different. Just look at Attack Mode, EVO Sessions (its celebrity-based event), and the indoor-outdoor London ExCeL Circuit.

With Gen4, however, there is a move towards a more ‘normal’ single-seater. The car Formula E will take into its next generation looks the part, which is a major tick given the mixed opinions on the appearance of Gen3.

Much of 2026 for Formula E will centre around the introduction of Gen4, private testing and, ultimately, its first race, likely on the opening weekend of December, although this is yet to be confirmed.

Formula E has 11 months to attract as many eyeballs as possible ahead of Gen4’s debut, but at the same time it cannot simply forget about its 12th season, which is already underway and will mark the end of the Gen3 era.

Formula E faces several challenges in 2026 that make it the biggest year in its history, with RacingNews365 taking a look at a few of them.

The introduction of Gen4

Formula E cannot afford a poor introduction to Gen4; it is as simple as that. The paddock is full of bad memories from Gen3’s introduction, something that will likely be further documented once the generation is complete and firmly in the past.

Thankfully, it has so far been so good for Gen4, which was revealed to the world through renders and films in November. Social media engagement and article figures show there is a genuine buzz around Gen4, crucially from those who do not currently follow the championship.

The reveal was immediately followed by the first private Gen4 manufacturers’ test, held in Monteblanco. However, the FIA has been testing Gen4 for several months, with former F1 test driver and ex-Maserati team principal James Rossiter behind the wheel.

The official Gen4 reveal will take place in April, with Formula E running a competition for fans to attend the first in-person look at the category’s next era in France.

The car’s design represents a major step towards a more traditional single-seater, while taking electrical performance to an entirely new level. Speeds of over 200 mph (322 km/h) will be easily achievable, courtesy of permanent four-wheel drive and a maximum power output of 600 kW (roughly 815 bhp). It is a beast of a car, which will also feature two different downforce set-ups and is made entirely from recyclable materials.

With six manufacturers on board (Porsche, Nissan, Jaguar, Lola, Stellantis and Mahindra) – one more than Formula 1 will have under its new regulations – there is clear belief in what Gen4 will deliver. However, manufacturers face a major challenge in balancing the development and testing of Gen4 alongside the final season of Gen3 EVO, particularly those involved in the title fight.

Gen4 has already been touted as being as quick as, if not quicker than, a current Formula 2 car, with Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds also expecting the gap to Formula 1 to be much smaller. These are big statements, adding pressure for those claims to be realised. If the gap remains significant between Formula E and the likes of Formula 1 and Formula 2, it could all look rather silly.

Ultimately, Formula E must market Gen4 relentlessly for it to be an initial hit. The next 11 months represent a mission to attract as many eyeballs as possible, with the Gen4 season-opening television figures set to be the most anticipated in the championship’s history.

Article continues below the image...

The first Gen4 calendar

Good luck finding a Formula E journalist who has not already asked Dodds and Formula E co-founder Alberto Longo about the first Gen4 calendar (myself included, on several occasions!). The calendar for Season 13 — the first of the Gen4 era — is a fascinating talking point, with the performance and increased size of the Gen4 car making some current circuit layouts simply impossible.

London ExCeL is the most obvious example, with huge changes required if it were to somehow remain on the calendar — something that has not been entirely ruled out, despite talks with Brands Hatch and Silverstone. Quite simply, in its current layout, Formula E cannot race at its London home without major modifications, and that would come at a cost. The same applies to Tokyo’s current layout; however, it is a significantly easier venue to adapt and remains a key market for the championship.

According to Dodds, Formula E’s current draft calendar for the first Gen4 season is "70% within our control, 30% still to land", with "deep negotiations" ongoing with several venues not currently hosting a race. This includes Zandvoort, which will lose F1 after this year’s Dutch Grand Prix.

The challenge for Formula E’s first Gen4 calendar is ensuring it does not lose its street-track DNA, something that has already been questioned during the Gen3 era with the arrival of venues such as the Shanghai International Circuit.

At the same time, it must ensure that any circuit on the calendar allows Gen4 to stretch its legs and showcase its true potential. Having a car as impressive as Gen4 would be meaningless if it were severely restricted by track layout. From a safety perspective, it is also critical that every venue can meet the necessary demands for drivers, teams and fans alike.

With every category seemingly pushing for more races, scheduling has become a modern-day motorsport nightmare. In recent years, Formula E’s season-opener has clashed with F1’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Last month in São Paulo, during the opening race, it was impossible not to keep an eye on the F1 title fight — as was the case for the vast majority of drivers. For the Gen4 season-opener, there is every chance a clash with F1 could occur once again, something drivers are largely opposed to.

Speaking to RacingNews365, Dodds does not entirely see it that way, saying: "I think that having the right location would be more important than not clashing with Formula 1. I also think it would be interesting to see a Formula 1 finale and, on the same weekend, see what our Gen4 is capable of doing on track. Because I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people."

It is a fair argument and would offer a direct comparison, but would a F1 title decider impact the audience for Formula E’s first Gen4 race? That is the crucial question Formula E must answer before deciding whether to take the risk of launching Season 13 and the Gen4 era on the same weekend as F1’s final round.

Article continues below the image...

Giving Gen3 an adequate send off

Of course, while much of Formula E’s focus this year will be on introducing Gen4, it cannot forget about delivering a fitting farewell to Gen3.

Gen3 has been an almighty rollercoaster for Formula E, which started on a negative note due to the difficulties in introducing the car. The modified Gen3 Evo improved the spectacle considerably, with some excellent racing on display since its introduction at the start of Season 11 (end of 2024/2025).

There is no hiding that Gen3, overall, has not gone as the championship had planned ahead of the current era, but, crucially, it has survived.

While much attention is on marketing Gen4, a competitive final campaign of Gen3 will help the series attract eyeballs. What it does not need is another year of one driver dominating. What Oliver Rowland and Nissan did last season was exceptional, but from an entertainment point of view, the title needs to go down to the wire in London, the season finale in August.

In motorsport, that type of scenario cannot be scripted. Should a driver dominate again, it would still deserve applause, given just how near-impossible it is to be dominant in a category like Formula E.

The broad hope will be for an exciting season and a tense fight at the top, something which should become clearer following the upcoming rounds in Mexico City, Miami, and Jeddah.

Gen3 has been eventful, and it can absolutely help Formula E move forward into Gen4 with more eyes on the sport. Formula E just needs to ensure that the current season is not forgotten.

Overall, there are some huge hurdles to overcome, but it is a time of major excitement for all involved in Formula E as it moves towards a potential game-changer in Gen4, which will hopefully see the series not only gain widespread respect but also experience a viewership boom.