Understanding the
Basics of Formula E
Bridgestone Joins the world’s leading all-electric motorsport series, as Official Tyre Supplier
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is known as the next evolution of motorsport. As the world’s first all-electric series, Formula E operates as a living laboratory where innovation, precision science, and visceral adrenaline collide. The following guide introduces the basics of Formula E, helping you get even more enjoyment from a Championship featuring some of the world’s leading manufacturers and one that proves sustainability and spectacle are one and the same.
A new benchmark for speed, sustainability and innovation in motorsport
Formula E is the world’s leading electric motorsport championship governed by the FIA. Since its inception in 2014, all cars have competed using electric power. Races are held not only at international circuits around the world but also on street tracks in major cities such as Monaco, Sao Paulo, and Tokyo.
The upcoming 2026/27 Season will see the launch of Formula E’s next-generation GEN4 race car. The fastest and most powerful car in Formula E history, it sets a new global benchmark for speed, performance, and sustainability in electric motorsport. Delivering a staggering 600kW (815bhp) of peak power, the GEN4 can achieve 0-100km/h in approximately 1.8 seconds, and hit 200km/h in 4.4 seconds. The chassis is also 100% recyclable or reusable, featuring bodywork constructed from at least 20% recycled carbon fibre and bio-based composites.
Formula E’s new way of racing
The 2026/27 Season will feature 21 races across 13 cities, with the World Championship title determined by the total number of points earned over the season. There are individual standings for Drivers, Teams and Manufacturers. New for this season, the Championship has introduced two different types of races:
・ E-Prix
In the 45-minute E-Prix, efficiency remains the key to success. In a massive aerodynamic shift, cars will pivot to a low-downforce setup, reducing drag to maximise energy management. The ATTACK MODE duration is extended to 8 minutes, and drivers will have to take a mandatory PIT BOOST stop. This race format will take place at every race weekend and serve as the main event at single-header locations.
・ E-Prix Unleashed
Designed for highlighting the raw speed of the GEN4, E-Prix Unleashed is a 30-minute all-out race, which utilises the high downforce configuration of Formula E’s latest race car. This will provide drivers with more grip, allowing them to attack corners at greater speed and perform more audacious overtakes. ATTACK MODE will be condensed to a sharp 6-minute window to maximise wheel-to-wheel action.
Formula E races feature several unique components, with one of the most exciting being ATTACK MODE. The feature temporarily gives the driver access to the GEN4 car’s maximum 600kW power output. To activate ATTACK MODE, drivers must leave the fastest racing line and pass through a designated activation zone. This costs time and can surrender track position, but the additional power creates opportunities to attack, defend, and overtake.
21 races. 13 unique environments
As Formula E prepares to unleash the GEN4 car, its massive boost in power and velocity requires tracks built for extreme performance. This has driven a natural shift toward established permanent circuits, though the series remains firmly committed to its city-centre roots.
The 2026/27 Season calendar strikes the perfect balance, from the famous streets of Monaco to the fast, flowing corners of the MASCOT Zandvoort Circuit; it offers tracks that can handle GEN4’s raw speed while remaining accessible from major city hubs.
When it comes to tyres, all tracks present unique challenges, and Formula E tyres must deliver consistently reliable performance. In the next section, we will take a closer look at the specialised Formula E tyres that Bridgestone will supply beginning with the 2026/27 Season.
Formula E demands exceptional tyre performance
From the 2026/27 Season, all teams will use the new GEN4 car, which has a maximum power output 71% higher than the current generation. The tyres developed by Bridgestone specifically for Formula E are designed to meet the high-performance demands of the GEN4 cars.
Two types of tyres will be used: the BRIDGESTONE POTENZA GEN4 for all-weather, and the BRIDGESTONE POTENZA for TYPHOON TYRE* for heavy rain. Designed to withstand the immense power output of up to 600 kW (approx. 815 horsepower) and the powerful, instantaneous torque characteristic of EVs, these tyres deliver stable, adaptable performance across a wide range of seasonal and weather conditions. What kind of performance will Bridgestone tyres demonstrate under Formula E rules, where different tyre choices or tyre changes may not be required during a race? We look forward to seeing how they perform.
* “TYPHOON TYRE” is a specification name by the FIA for heavy wet tyres to be used in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Bridgestone's title races of Mexico City, Berlin, Shanghai and Tokyo to be in the spotlight
With the fundamentals of Formula E covered, it’s time to turn to the racing itself. The 2026/27 Season will open with races in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on December 18 and 19. Located in a desert region, the track may offer less grip due to sand on the road surface, making it a race that could really put Bridgestone’s tyres to the test. The Formula E season will then continue with races across North America, South America, Europe and Asia, with the season finale taking place in Tokyo on July 24 and 25. With easy access from the city and the possibility that the Championship will be decided there, the Tokyo races are well worth seeing live. Additionally, Bridgestone will serve as title sponsor for events held in Mexico City on January 16, Berlin on May 8 and 9, and Shanghai on July 10 and 11, as well as the two rounds in Tokyo.