
Formula E has remained an innovative championship, but drivers have begun expressing concerns that luck is playing an increasingly significant role in determining final race standings. With the upcoming Jeddah E-Prix, the Pit Boost system is set to make its debut, raising further concerns from two-time champion Jean-Eric Vergne.
Each car must perform a mandatory pitstop, during which the crew will recharge its battery by 10% using 600kW of power. This procedure, expected to take approximately thirty seconds, is designed to introduce a new strategic component to races. However, drivers, including Vergne, worry that this strategy may disrupt the natural competitive framework. The long pitstops raise concerns about drivers potentially losing nearly a full lap, which could lead to unfair race results if circumstances do not balance evenly for all competitors.
The safety car presents another significant factor that could negatively impact the effectiveness of Pit Boost. An unexpected safety car deployment could benefit drivers who have already stopped while forcing their competitors to adapt to new conditions before resuming full race pace. According to Vergne, the side effects of Pit Boost could create consistently uneven results, making race outcomes overly dependent on random factors rather than driver skill and team execution. Given the fast-paced and strategically complex nature of Formula E, the introduction of Pit Boost may shift the competition towards chance rather than performance.
Another critical concern for drivers is the effectiveness of Attack Mode during races. Initially introduced as a tool to encourage overtaking and strategic play, Attack Mode now delivers a much greater performance boost due to the introduction of all-wheel drive activation. Vergne and Buemi both emphasize that timing Attack Mode activation has become even more crucial, as unexpected safety car appearances can render planned activations useless. When a driver activates Attack Mode just before a safety car period, they lose its benefits, while those who have not yet activated it gain an unexpected advantage.
Vergne has voiced his frustration over experiencing this issue in consecutive races in São Paulo and Mexico City, where activating Attack Mode just before a full-course yellow period made it ineffective. Since Attack Mode provides a significant power boost, its loss due to unforeseen circumstances can be highly detrimental. Buemi echoed these concerns, noting that while Attack Mode was initially a minor race element, it has now become essential for achieving competitive results.
This season features multiple changes beyond Attack Mode and Pit Boost. The Gen3 Evo race car has enhanced performance in qualifying duels due to the inclusion of four-wheel drive, softer Hankook tires, and its optimized use during Attack Mode and race starts. These updates have significantly altered race dynamics and lap times. However, the addition of Pit Boost has raised concerns among drivers, who feel that it disrupts the balance between driver expertise and unpredictable external factors.
As a result, drivers are urging race organizers to make specific adjustments to the championship format, which they perceive as increasingly unfair. Vergne has suggested that the FIA reduce pitstop duration to prevent race leaders from suffering full-lap losses. Additionally, some believe Formula E should modify the Attack Mode system to prevent its effectiveness from being nullified by race interruptions, possibly by pausing its duration during full-course yellow periods.
While innovation is a core value of Formula E, it must coexist with the need to ensure that races continue to serve as a fair test of driver skill and tactical decision-making. The upcoming races will be a key test in determining whether these new modifications enhance competition or introduce unintended variables that compromise the integrity of the championship.
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