New interesting additions have been made to the FE regulations after the Pit boost implementation. Changes will happen both on track with the Rookie Practise implementation, and off with the upgraded FIA guidelines for stewards.
Rookie Practise
Firstly, young talents will have another chance to shine. In fact, Formula E has announced a new Rookie Practice session. This is set to take place in Jeddah ahead of the upcoming double header.
Historically, the series has often stressed the importance of awarding opportunities to up and coming debutants, from the Rome rookie FP1 in 2022, to the Berlin one during Season 10 and the ground-breaking Women’s session in Madrid last October
One rookie driver per team will be able to test for the first time the Gen3Evo challenger. The names of the drivers involved will be revealed prior to the 13th of February practise. Notable names which might be included in the lineups could be Formula 2’s Jak Crawford, Reserve Driver for Andretti Global. Formula 3’s Alex Dunne for NEOM McLaren, as well as female talents might feature.
In fact, according to Formula E Co-founder Alberto Longo, women might be involved in a FE test again:
“Following on from the success of our Official Women’s Test in November, we’re thrilled to introduce this dedicated Rookie Free Practice session at the Jeddah E-Prix. It’s a crucial next-step in fulfilling our commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent, including young women.”
Important growing opportunity
He highlighted the importance of such tests which have been a pivotal step for many drivers. It has been a stepping stone even for now on the full time grid stars such as Cassidy, Maloney and Beckmann.
“This opportunity to drive the cutting-edge GEN3 Evo car will provide invaluable experience for these young drivers, and we believe it will significantly contribute to developing the future stars of Formula E and motorsport as a whole.”
Head of Formula E Pablo Martin also stressed the significance and the need to create spaces for younger talents awaiting their breakthrough:
“It’s crucial for the FIA to allow drivers to develop their careers through FIA World Championships. The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has one of the most competitive grids around.”
“Many of its current stars gained their first Formula E experience in one of these rookie sessions or tests. To provide such opportunities for the next generation of promising talents to discover the specifics of Formula E and EV racing – and adapt their driving style accordingly – is essential for the championship’s continuing growth.”
New off track rules
Another interesting change which will be implemented was introduced by the FIA. A new appendix to the International Sporting Code was recently issued. The addition features the setting of guidelines for the stewards in terms of punishable offences.
The articles involved set boundaries to the drivers’ behaviour out of the race track, posing limits to swearing, actions which can be interpreted as critical of the Federation, personal statements involving religion, politics, ”violence” and even event attendance.
Infractions will still be punished monetarily for first time offenses. However, for repeated instances there will be racing bans or even points deduction.
