In Season 9, Formula E witnessed an extraordinary surge in its global fanbase and live race audiences, thanks to record-breaking speeds, lap times, overtakes, and an unprecedented level of competition. This is according to a research conducted by Potentia Insight in July 2023. The remarkable achievements of the season had a profound impact on the sport, propelling Formula E’s growth to unprecedented heights. Also, the captivating performances and thrilling moments resonated with fans across the globe.
Formula E’s international fanbase experienced a remarkable 17 percent year-on-year growth, reaching a staggering 344 million, surpassing NASCAR and securing its position as the fourth-largest motorsport in the world. Among the fastest-growing markets in terms of fanbase, Germany and the United States (U.S.) stood out with impressive growth rates of 45 percent and 30 percent respectively.
During Season 9, Formula E races attracted over 225 million viewers, marking a 4 percent increase compared to the previous season. Notably, China and the U.S., along with newly introduced race markets such as Brazil, India, and South Africa, experienced substantial growth in live race views.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship‘s 16-race season commenced in January with the thrilling opener in Mexico City. This season marked the debut of the GEN3, an exceptional electric race car that is the epitome of speed, lightweight design, power, and efficiency. The season concluded in a grand fashion with a double-header event held in London at the end of July.
Wave of new fans
Formula E attracted a wave of new fans who were captivated by the intense competition for the Drivers’ and Teams’ world titles. The on-track sporting action witnessed an exhilarating display of skill and determination, resulting in numerous performance records being shattered. With 22 drivers representing 11 teams in the Championship, the participants pushed the limits of the GEN3 car to its fullest potential.
The Championship witnessed the establishment of new records, including the fastest average lap time and the highest speed ever recorded. Furthermore, the competition showcased an unprecedented number of race leaders and overtakes, surpassing any previous season. The races were filled with thrilling moments, with the majority featuring triple-digit passes, adding to the excitement and intensity of the Championship.
Remarkable victory
Jake Dennis, a driver for the Andretti Formula E team, started the GEN3 era with an outstanding triumph in Mexico City. His victory laid the foundation for an extraordinary season, full of excitement and anticipation.
Building upon his early success, Dennis continued to excel and ultimately clinched his first-ever World Championship title. In addition, this momentous achievement occurred in the penultimate race of the season, highlighting his remarkable skill and unwavering determination. As the season neared its exciting finale, three additional drivers remained in the running for the championship. This scenario set the stage for a thrilling climax during the final double-header weekend.
Moreover, the intense battle for the Teams’ World Championship came down to the wire in the final race of the season. Nick Cassidy, representing Envision Racing, emerged victorious in the race, securing the Teams’ title. Also, Mitch Evans, racing for Jaguar TCS Racing, finished a close second in the Teams’ championship chase. A noteworthy development is that Cassidy and Evans will team up for Jaguar TCS Racing in Season 10. This partnership holds great promise, as their collaboration is expected to be thrilling and captivating for fans.
Exceeding expectations
Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, emphasized the significant strides Formula E is making. He highlighted the sport’s ability to captivate fans with its thrilling and groundbreaking nature. Additionally, Dodds emphasized that Formula E’s commitment to sustainability has earned it recognition as the world’s most sustainable sport. Dodds stated that the teams and drivers have surpassed expectations in their utilization of the GEN3 car. Their efforts have pushed the car to new limits, elevating the entertainment value of Formula E racing to unprecedented heights.
In addition, this has led to an increase in the number of fans and TV viewers. Dodds emphasized Formula E’s dedication to capitalizing on this momentum and exploring inventive approaches to showcase race events. Also, the objective is to broaden the fanbase and reach larger audiences at an accelerated pace. By embracing innovation, Formula E aims to captivate more fans and solidify its position as a leading motorsport.
Multiple winners
Season 9 featured races in diverse global locations. These included Mexico City, Diriyah, Hyderabad, Cape Town, São Paulo, Berlin, Monaco, Jakarta, Portland, Rome, and London. Each location added its unique flavor to the championship, contributing to an exciting and dynamic season. This dynamic season witnessed a total of seven different drivers from six different teams claiming victories. Impressively, 18 different drivers led at least one lap throughout the season, and every team had the opportunity to lead a race for at least one lap.
In Season 9, the motorsport world witnessed the long-awaited return of Maserati to single-seater World Championship racing after a hiatus of over 60 years. Additionally, Formula E welcomed McLaren as they joined the grid, adding further excitement to the season.
In a remarkable achievement, Formula E concluded Season 9 by setting a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™. Jake Hughes, a driver for the NEOM McLaren Formula E team, etched his name in history. He accomplished this by reaching the highest recorded top speed ever achieved by a vehicle indoors. This remarkable feat highlights the cutting-edge technology and thrilling nature of Formula E racing.
Additionally, Hughes exceeded expectations by breaking the previous world record. He surpassed it by an astonishing margin of over 50km/h. The NEOM McLaren Formula E driver achieved a remarkable speed of 218.71km/h. This record-setting accomplishment took place on the track situated within ExCeL London. Also, this remarkable feat occurred mere days before the conclusion of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season. Moreover, the record-setting event unfolded at the same venue.
Groundbreaking collaboration
The groundbreaking world record was established using the innovative GENBETA project car, a collaborative effort between Formula E, the FIA, and esteemed partners such as ABB, SABIC, and Hankook. Furthermore, through this remarkable project, the technological capabilities of the GEN3 race car were effectively harnessed and unleashed, leading to the achievement of the record-breaking feat.
The eagerly anticipated Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is set to commence on Saturday, 13th January 2024 in Mexico City. Prior to the start of the season, teams will kick off their preparations with pre-season testing in Valencia, Spain, starting from 23rd October.
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