Why six F1 clashes could work for Formula E

On Tuesday afternoon, the FIA unveiled the 2024/25 Formula E calendar, following approval by its World Motor Sport Council.

Formula E's 11th season, which will kickstart on December 7 in São Paulo, is record-breaking as it consists of 17 races. It is the longest calendar in the sport's history and will see the championship visit 11 different cities across the globe. 

The all-electric series will return to Miami at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, best known for hosting NASCAR and IndyCar. Jakarta also returns, whilst double-headers will take place in Monaco and Tokyo for the first time. 

It is an impressive calendar, although something immediately noticed by fans is there are six clashes with F1, the first of which is next season's opener in São Paulo and F1's season-ending race in Abu Dhabi. 

In the current FE campaign, there are only three calendar clashes with F1, the first of which was the recent inaugural Shanghai E-Prix and the Monaco Grand Prix.

RacingNews365 asked Formula E if there was any reasoning behind the clashes, to which it was outlined that it is simply the impact of the majority of championships expanding its calendars. 

A Formula E spokesperson said: "As both our sporting calendars continue to grow there will be inevitable clashes, as there always is with other global sports whose seasons overlap. 

"Delivering world championship racing in the heart of some of the world’s largest and most iconic city centres comes with huge logistical challenges and so is not always possible to have flexibility around race dates. 

"While competition for sport and motor racing continues to grow, we’re seeing huge fan appetite for our thrilling racing and remain the fastest growing motorsport on the planet."

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Why clashes might work well

In the past, fans have often frowned at Formula E clashing with F1 but on this occasion it could work in favour. 

Having viewers is what keeps a racing series alive and Formula E is continuing to see an increasing number across the world. 

It should be noted, that except for the London and Spa clash in July next year, all the others are in completely different timezones. 

The strength behind this is that fans can watch Formula E and then remain seated to tune in to F1, or vice versa depending on which event is taking place first. 

Most racing fans loved the recent weekend which featured Formula E, F1, MotoGP and the Indy500. Having clashes means fans have a reason to watch racing for a good portion of the day.

Some will view the clashes as a negative but with next season's new Gen3.5 car being the fastest accelerating FIA single-seater, it could see some F1 fans tuning in to both Formula E and F1 to compare the technology.