It's Race Week: What Formula E Can Teach Us About Patience

It’s been a long wait since the Formula E Season 10 finale on July 27th, but the countdown is almost over! In less than one week (December 7th), the lights will go green in São Paulo again, and we will finally witness the return of Formula E for its 10th Season. The world’s fastest electric cars and their talented drivers will once again battle it out on the streets of one of the world's most vibrant and populated cities in the world.

The scene is set, and the excitement is palpable—for fans, teams, and drivers alike. This waiting period has been long and a true test of patience. Fittingly, isn’t patience a concept deeply embedded in the DNA of Formula E itself? (More on that later.)

What’s Changed During the Off-Season

Life has moved on, and while we were patiently waiting so much has happened—both on and off track.

New Faces

Barbados’ young racing star Zane Maloney is making his debut with the yellow-and-blue Lola Yamaha ABT team. The German driver David Beckmann joins Kiro Race Co. He is not a complete rookie though, as he has driven two Formula E races in the past before, having stepped in for fellow Germam racer André Lotterer at Andretti in the 22/23 season. Among the new faces on the grid, we also find another more experienced rookie for Season 11, British talent Taylor Barnard, who already stepped into the cockpit of one of the McLarens temporarily last season after Sam Bird suffered an injury. These fresh faces are set to bring new energy to the grid and could really shake up the dynamic of the competition.

Departures

Sadly, this off-season has also brought some heartbreak: new faces in any competition inevitably mean the departure of drivers who participated in the season prior.

• Sacha Fenestraz: As a very popular figure among fans, his exit was particularly dramatic and surprising, to fans and driver alike. In an interview with Motorsport.com, Fenestraz explained how sudden and unexpected the team's decision to replace him was.

• Jehan Daruvala and Sérgio Sette Câmara: Both drivers find themselves without a seat on the Season 11 Formula E grid, despite their undeniable talent and contributions in the prior season. Their departures underscore the fierce competition and behind-the-scenes politics in securing a seat in Formula E.

The loss of these three talented drivers serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of motorsport.

Pre-Season Testing

Another highlight during this off-season was the highly anticipated pre-season test. This, however, did not come without its drama:

The planned pre-season test in Valencia was relocated to Madrid at the very last minute after the severe flooding in the Spanish city and its surrounding area, adding an unexpected sudden twist. This event, besides normal pre-season testing activities, featured two key highlights:

• The Women’s Test, which provided talented female drivers with the opportunity to showcase their skills behind the wheel of a Formula E car.
• The much-anticipated testing of the Attack-Charge (renamed Pit-Boost) system, a mid-race fast-charging innovation set to add a new layer of strategy to the series' races.

Formula E: Patience as a Core Value

This long waiting period has been a reminder of one of Formula E’s most integral lessons: the power of patience. Let me explain how and why patience is such an important aspect in Formula E:

1. Energy Management: Drivers must carefully manage their battery charge during races. It’s not just about going fast but also about strategy—holding back at the right moments to conserve energy for a powerful finish.

2. Long-Term Innovation: The electric car industry thrives on incremental progress and Formula E serves as an ideal testing ground for such new developments. From the first-generation cars to today’s cutting-edge Gen3 Evo machinery, Formula E is a testament to the rewards of patience and persistence in technological advancement.

3. Being Patient Pays Off During Races: Consider last season’s São Paulo ePrix, where British driver Sam Bird overtook Mitch Evans on the last lap to claim victory. Bird's ability to remain patient and seize the perfect moment demonstrates how success often comes down to timing, determination, and trust in the process. In Formula E, the most dramatic and exciting moments often emerge from this mastery of patience—whether over a single lap, a race, or an entire season.

Making the Most of the Final Week

Now is the perfect time to channel that patience productively. Here are some ways to get ready for the thrills ahead:

• Catch Up on Pre-Season News: Dive into updates on teams, driver line-ups, and any changes for Season 11. Knowing what’s new will make the first race even more engaging and enjoyable.

• Relive Iconic Moments: Revisit highlights from past seasons to build excitement and reconnect with the sport’s incredible moments.

• Plan Your Race Weekend: Whether you’re travelling to São Paulo or following the race from afar, plan how you’ll make the most of the event. If it’s creating an itinerary or setting aside time to watch the race, preparation really does enhance the experience.

• Brush Up on Your Knowledge: Use this time to deepen your understanding of Formula E, its sustainability mission and its initiatives (like The Better Futures Fund).

Patience isn’t about doing nothing; it’s about being intentional with the time you have while you wait. Whether it’s reflecting on the past, preparing for what’s to come, or simply savouring the anticipation, patience enriches that whole experience.

As the saying goes, “Distance makes the heart grow fonder.” The months spent patiently waiting for Formula E's return have only heightened the anticipation.

Patience is a virtue, and Formula E reminds us of its value at every turn. In less than a week, the streets of São Paulo will come alive with the hum of electric motors, and we’ll be reminded once again why we love this sport.

Here’s to the thrill of the wait—and the even greater thrill of what’s to come!