Formula E Accelerates into the Future As It Prepares to Make Jeddah Debut
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JANUARY 10: Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, during shakedown and practice ahead of the Mexico City E-Prix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on January 10, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Simon Galloway/LAT Images for Formula E)
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship takes centre stage at the iconic Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the first time on February 14th and 15th 2025 as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to welcome a new chapter in its growing motorsport legacy.
Building on six years of spectacular racing in Diriyah, the move by Formula E to Jeddah reflects the revolutionary racing series’ bold vision for the future of motorsport and aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambition to drive economic diversification, technological leadership and community engagement.
Rounds 3 and 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will take place in a spectacular double-header in Jeddah on February 14-15, bringing fans closer than ever to the world’s most advanced electric racing series, while showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainability, cutting-edge technology, and next-generation energy solutions.
Taking place on one of the fastest and most exciting street circuits in the world, the floodlit Jeddah Corniche Circuit promises to push Formula E drivers to their limits. Featuring high-speed corners with the breathtaking Red Sea as a backdrop, a revised layout will provide a unique and exhilarating experience for fans and competitors alike.
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds highlighted the strategic parallels between the all-electric series and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
“We’ve been racing in Saudi Arabia for six years now and both our Championship and the Kingdom have undergone a remarkable transformation. Their influence in global sport continues to grow, with Saudi Arabia also emerging as a leader in sustainability and energy transition. The Kingdom has made significant social progress as well — last season, a Saudi female racing driver showcased our car, marking a historic moment. From a Formula E perspective, we’ve also evolved, and we can’t wait for fans in Jeddah to witness the GEN3 Evo, the fastest-accelerating single-seater in the world.”
The Jeddah E-Prix aligns with the country’s growing influence in the automotive and clean energy sectors, with the event leading the way in environmental measures, such as using solar energy to light the race track and powering the event with fully sustainable fuel.
Beyond the on-track spectacle, Formula E is engaging in a number of community initiatives in Jeddah, whether that’s welcoming groups from disadvantaged backgrounds or offering opportunities for students to immerse themselves in the event, programmes such as Inspiration Hour, FIA Girls on Track and Better Futures Fund will have a lasting impact on the local community and skills development within the Kingdom.
In addition, Formula E’s revolutionary new PIT BOOST feature will be introduced, demonstrating the latest advancements in EV fast-charging technology. This game-changing innovation, debuting at the Jeddah E-Prix, will allow teams to deploy strategic bursts of energy, adding an extra layer of excitement to the already unpredictable racing action as well as advancing the transfer of technology from the race track to our roads.
Q&A
Jeff Dodds
Chief Executive Officer, Formula E
Q: Can you reflect on the significance of Diriyah’s race and your thoughts about how much Saudi Arabia’s partnership with Formula E has evolved over the past six seasons?
Jeff Dodds: “We’ve raced in Diriyah since Season 5 and it was an incredible venue for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The UNESCO World Heritage site provided a stunning backdrop, fusing the historic old city with the investment and development happening around it. It was also one of our only night races, and a favourite among our drivers.
“So much has evolved over those six years — not just within Formula E, but within Saudi Arabia too. Back then, we were racing with the Gen2 car, which had a max speed of about 170 mph and could go from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds. Now, with the GEN3 Evo, we have the fastest-accelerating race car in the world, hitting 0 to 60 mph in just 1.82 seconds — 30 per cent faster than a Formula 1 car. Formula E itself has grown enormously in that time. In Season 5, we had 100 million fans; now, in Season 11 we have 400 million.
“At the same time, Saudi Arabia has undergone a remarkable transformation. The Kingdom has taken a leadership role in sustainability and energy transition and there has been significant social progress too. When we first raced there, women in Saudi Arabia couldn’t legally drive. Last year, we had a Saudi female racing driver, Reem Al Aboud, showcasing the fastest-accelerating single-seater we’ve ever produced. The progress — both within Formula E and within the Kingdom — has been remarkable.”
Q: Why did you decide to move the E-Prix to Jeddah and what can we expect at this race?
JD: “There are a number of important factors. We’d raced in the Riyadh area for six years and initially there was no Formula 1 activity in the country. Since then, the fastest street circuit in the world has been built on the shoreline of the Red Sea. When you also appreciate the scale of investment going into the area, it makes Jeddah a world-class destination — not just to live, but to visit as a tourist.”
Q. What initiatives are in place to build excitement and increase local support for the Jeddah E-Prix?
JD: “One of the aspects we’re excited about introducing in Jeddah is our revolutionary new PIT BOOST feature. This technology showcases the advancements in fast charging for electric vehicles, and now we’re ready to demonstrate it in a race format. Strategically, it adds a new dimension. In a 30-second stop, the cars will receive a 10 percent energy increase (3.85kWh) via a 600kW ultra-fast energy boost. Given Saudi Arabia’s commitment to innovation and energy technology, it feels like the perfect place to debut a groundbreaking new feature like this.
“We’re also introducing an additional rookie session called Free Practice Zero. It’s a test environment where experienced drivers from different series can try out the Formula E car. Fans will get to see high-profile names on track including women drivers who took part in our Madrid test last year. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our technology to the next generation of talent.”
Q: How do the core values of Formula E align with Saudi Arabia and what collaborations do you have with companies within the Kingdom?
JD: “Saudi Arabia has a clear Vision 2030 plan, and a key part of that is diversifying its economy. One of their objectives is to establish a next-generation energy hub, and we’re already seeing that take shape with the growth of EV companies like Lucid and Ceer, along with developments in battery and powertrain technology.
“Motorsport is a fantastic way to showcase that investment. The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s push towards sustainability and energy innovation, making it a natural fit for us to race here. The Middle East, and Saudi Arabia in particular, are an economic powerhouse on the global stage. Their influence in sport is growing rapidly, not just in motorsport but across boxing, golf, tennis, football, and other major events.
“We’ve been racing in the Kingdom for a long time now, and they’re a key partner for us. We have several Saudi-based partners, including the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which through their electric 360 partnership supports Formula E, off-road Extreme E, and the electric powerboat series E1. Saudia has been a fantastic supporter, as has SABIC, and we’ve just launched a new partnership in Formula E Karting.”
Q. What initiatives are in place within the Kingdom to engage local talent and leave a lasting legacy in the community?
JD: “We have several programmes designed to create a lasting impact. One is the Inspiration Hour, where we’ll invite around 400 people from disadvantaged, local communities to experience the Jeddah Formula E race up close. They’ll get to meet teams and drivers and immerse themselves in the event.
“We also run the FIA Girls on Track programme throughout the season, which introduces young women to motorsport and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths). In Jeddah, 170 young women will get a behind-the-scenes look at what Formula E does. On a broader scale, we launched The Better Futures Fund last year. This is a charitable initiative where we select a local charity partner at every race and work on a joint project to leave a legacy in the community after we’ve gone.”
Q. Diriyah was the only night race on the calendar. How will Jeddah also meet the same sustainability targets as before?
JD: “We take sustainability very seriously and have been net zero since day one. Our practice and qualifying sessions will be held in the day, but the double-header of races will be after sunset when the temperature is more comfortable for our drivers and spectators. During this time, all of the lighting of the track will be solar powered. Also, a big advancement this year is that the entire event will be run on recycled vegetable oil, which means the race is powered by fully sustainable fuel, not conventional fossil fuels.
“Also in 2025, we’ve cut the number of aeroplanes used to transport our Championship from three to two, reducing our carbon footprint by 25 per cent. In addition, we’ve eliminated single-use plastics at our events. Sustainability is embedded into everything we do.”
Q. What is the future for Formula E in the region, and specifically in Saudi Arabia?
JD: “Our ambition is to keep growing, and I know Saudi Arabia has the same goal. We have a long-term contract to race here, and while we’ve moved from Diriyah to Jeddah, who knows what the future holds? Perhaps we’ll race in Qiddiya as that city develops, or in NEOM as these next-generation environmental cities emerge. It would be a great way to showcase their innovation.
“One thing is certain: the world is moving towards a future without internal combustion engines, and in parallel with Saudi Arabia, we’re at the forefront of that transition. Our future in the region looks strong.”
