Formula E believes Gen4 car is resonating with traditional motorsport fans

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Formula E believes the unveiling of its Gen4 car has helped shift perceptions among traditional motorsport fans about the championship.

Since its birth in 2014 as an alternative electric racing series, Formula E has largely struggled to win over long-term fans of combustion engine-based motorsport.

Scepticism around electric racing and the series’ unconventional style has so far limited its appeal among established motorsport followers, with its reputation as a destination for Formula 1 rejects further hurting its cause.

Formula E has itself stated on multiple occasions that it aims to attract new audiences rather than tap into the existing racing fanbase.

But the arrival of the Gen4 car at the end of the year could mark a major turning point for the championship. With 800bhp on tap in Attack Mode and qualifying, plus permanent all-wheel drive, Formula E’s next-gen car is expected to lap faster than current Formula 2 machinery while closing the gap significantly to F1. This means ​that electric racing cars would be able to match the performance of top-tier single-seaters for the first time in history.

The calendar is also expected to feature more permanent tracks than ever before, with some tight and twisty street circuits being dropped altogether.

Formula E chief marketing officer Ellie Norman believes the championship is already seeing a noticeable shift in reaction following the public launch of the Gen4 car at Paul Ricard.

“It's been wonderful to read the comments and to see the conversations that are happening on Reddit or Discord and across broader media,” Norman told Motorsport.com.

Zane Maloney, Lola Yamaha ABT Formula E Team Lola-Yamaha T001

Zane Maloney, Lola Yamaha ABT Formula E Team Lola-Yamaha T001

“Within what I would describe as perhaps a more traditional motorsport fan base, the positivity towards how stunning this car looks and the performance of this car is really turning heads.

“A lot of fans that have traditionally watched Formula 1 are actually now really considering Formula E and switching into watching Formula E just because we are and we have been the leaders in the space of electrification.

“We can regenerate more power than a Formula 1 car can deploy, and we're experts in this field. What you see as a result of that is very competitive wheel-to-wheel racing, and that's been demonstrated over the last sort of 12 years with 11 different world champions.

“Even in these first few races [of 2025-26 season], we've had a number of different drivers on the podium.

“At the end of the day, fans, motorsport fans, want real competitive racing. And that's dead certain in Formula E.”

While Formula E made a sizeable leap with each era, Gen4 marks arguably the most seismic shift in the series’ history. The change in technical regulations will be followed by an updated sporting format, while struggling manufacturers will also have a better chance at closing the gap to the front through a ‘token’ system for upgrades.

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Norman said the introduction of the new car offers Formula E a chance to change the perception about the championship and build a larger fanbase in the coming years.

Gen4

Gen4

“For me, this is an opportunity to look at resetting how people have thought about Formula E,” she said. “We'll be really pushing much more on driver storytelling and the human connection, putting much more feeling and grit into what you can expect from Formula E.”

Having helped turn F1 into a household name during her previous stint, Norman wants to replicate that strategy in Formula E by turning each race weekend into a larger festival.

The actual on-track product will remain at the centre of the show, but Formula E aims to offer spectators a more complete experience.

“We want to evolve Formula E from what has been perhaps a sort of smaller motorsport, only being 12 years old, into being much more of an entertainment and festival-led sort of motorsport,” she explained.

“So, it is vitally important that the product continues to improve. And we see that with the innovation and the sort of technology in the cars, and the opportunity to continue to innovate in sporting formats. So, the absolute core is the product.

“But just as importantly as we welcome new fans into Formula E is to really ensure that the experience in and around the event delivers for their expectations and their needs. That is about how we blend in entertainment with the heart of motorsport.

“So here in Berlin, we've got a huge fan village, lots of different activities, a big focus on local music talent and leaning into local food culture and fashion. We are really ensuring that when you're here, you're here for the day and you can entertain yourself every minute.”

The Gen4 era will kick off before the end of the year, with the first race of the 2026-27 season expected to take place in December.

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