Formula E Pulls Back Curtain On New Qualifying Format

Grid Talk Reporter 19:27 15/10/2021

Formula E has formally announced the new knockout qualifying format that will make its debut in the 2021-22 season.

It will begin with two groups of 11 drivers in initial 10-minute sessions that will allow unlimited laps at a maximum of 220kW power. Each driver must set a minimum of “one timed lap within the first five minutes of his respective group”. These groups will be then condensed down to eight drivers (the fastest four from each group) for quarter finals, followed by a semi-final, and lastly two-by-two duels to make up the ePrix grid. Positions five to 11 from each group will set the rear portion of the grid. The so-called quarter-final duels will be defined based on the drivers’ classification in the group stages as follows: A: 4B vs 1A / B: 3B vs 2A / C: 3A vs 2B / D: 4A vs 1B.

The semi-final will be comprised of the winners of each quarter-final duel (A vs B and C vs D), running together on track to set their times with the slower driver from the quarter finals ahead on the circuit. The same format will be used for the final between the quickest pair from the semi-finals. The maximum power for all the duels is set at 250kW. The changes have come after the existing system of four groups of six drivers, based on championship positions, was heavily criticised for making the racing unfair in the context of track evolution during the all-important qualifying sessions.

British veteran of the series Sam Bird significantly contributed to the new format. Jaguar driver Bird told Formula E and FIA officials about his vision of a knockout style system last year, detailing a version that was then expanded upon and subsequently simulated by the FIA during the summer. “It’s no secret that a lot of people have been a little bit unsure and unhappy with the qualifying format for a couple of years now and it needed kind of revamping,” explained Bird. “A lot of us drivers were coming up with ideas, I had a certain idea that I wanted to put forward to Alejandro (Agag) that I thought would not only be maybe slightly fairer, but also greatly improve the show. So, I put my idea forward to Alejandro and Alberto (Longo). They really liked it. And what we’ve come up with is like a hybrid solution of the idea that I originally pitched to them. I think it sounds great, what they’re going to go for, and I look forward to trialling it in pre-season testing. I think the fans will like it and it will come up with a grid that is less chaotic, and less random, which is a good thing.”

Other sporting regulations have been changed for the new season, such as the first free practice session being decreased from 45 minutes to 30 minutes. In addition to the qualifying format changes, the FIA also confirmed that extra time will replace the energy reduction rule which has been used since the middle of the 2018/19 season. Now in-race suspensions such as full course yellow and safety car periods will mean 45 seconds are added to the race time for every 60 seconds of the yellow. This will only be up to the 40th minute of the 45-minute plus one lap race distance. At the 40th min the FIA will give the extension time in a similar manner to that used in football for injury time. No more than 10 minutes for the race extension in total can be added.

The 52kWh usable energy will remain unchanged. Additionally, “no partial minutes will be calculated” and according to the regulations if “an SC or FCY period extends into or occurs during or after minute 40 of the race, it will not be counted for the ‘extra time’ calculation”. This has been implemented to ensure there is no repeat of the first Valencia race in April when most of the field failed to the finish competitively when an excessive amount of energy was deducted during a late safety car period. Teams are set to continue be only allowed access to their garages on a Thursday before an event taking place on a Saturday. Finally, the limitations on sensors for 2022 have been lifted. These include brake, gearbox barrel position and mainshaft speed sensors.