Formula E double-header happening in Saudi Arabia this weekend. Here's what you need to know

February 13, 2025 by Formula E

• The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship heads to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the first time for Rounds 3 and 4
• Jeddah will be season 11's only night races
• The Jeddah E-Prix will see the launch of the new mid-race Pit Boost feature, which will provide a 10% energy increase (3.85kWh) via a 30-second, 600kW ultra-fast energy boost in the pitlane
•  Pit Boost will create the first mandatory Formula E pit stops in nearly seven years
• An additional Rookie Free Practice session will take place today, Thursday February 13, for drivers who have never competed in the championship before. Featured rookies will included Jamie Chadwick, Théo Pourchaire, Tatiana Calderón and Daniil Kvyat

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to Saudi Arabia for its first double-header of the season. Rounds 3 and 4 will take place at the iconic Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February.

Jeddah will host the first night-time double-header of the season at a new venue. The championship has shifted from Diriyah to a revised 1.86-mile layout of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, a track renowned for hosting many iconic races over the years.

The introduction of Pit Boost marks the return of pit stops to Formula E for the first time in seven years. During Friday's race, drivers must make a mandatory 30-second stop to gain an additional 10% energy boost to their battery. It will adds an additional layer of strategy, alongside the existing Attack Mode, which remains in place for both races.

After a thrilling start to Season 11, Round 2 winner Oliver Rowland will be eager to deliver another thrilling performance, matching his victory last month in front of a sell-out crowd in Mexico. Championship leader António Félix da Costa will also be aiming to convert his two runner-up places into a top-step win.

Additionally, the Rookie Free Practice session, taking place before the main events will provide global motorsport talent a chance to showcase their abilities in the latest Formula E GEN3 Evo machines. 

The introduction of new technology, a new location and Rookie practice highlight the commitment of Formula E and the FIA to innovation, competition, and fan engagement as the series embarks on an exciting new chapter in Jeddah.

Rounds 3 and 4 of the Jeddah E-Prix start at 8:05PM local time on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February. The races will be shown live on Roku for US audiences at 12:05AM ET.

THE WORLD'S FASTEST ACCELERATING SINGLE-SEATER MEETS THE WORLD'S FASTEST STREET CIRCUIT

The debut of Formula E on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit will highlight a brand-new 1.86-mile (3km) layout. The world's fastest street circuit was specially adapted for the all-electric championship, featuring 19 high-speed turns and four new chicanes designed to enhance the unique challenges of Formula E racing.

The track modifications, completed in just 30 days, will provide an exciting new test for teams and drivers as they navigate the revised anti-clockwise layout along the Red Sea coastline.

WELCOMING PIT BOOST

Pit Boost is an innovative mid-race feature that provides a 10% energy increase (3.85kWh) to each cars during a 30-second, 600kW rapid energy boost in the pitlane. This mandatory sporting feature deploys significantly more power than current consumer superchargers and will add another strategic element during selected races. With teams able to choose when it can be used within strict parameters, Pit Boost has the potential to dramatically alter race outcomes and tactics.

PIT BOOST QUICK FACTS

• Adds 10% additional energy (+3.85kWh) to race cars in the form of a 30-second charge at 600kW as part of a 34-second stationary pit stop
• Mandatory for all drivers in designated races
• Independent of existing Attack Mode rules, providing teams with two strategic elements to manage during the race
• No more than two Pit Crew may work on the car during the Pit Boost, plus one Pit Crew member assigned specifically to stop and release the car
• Only one car per team may carry out Pit Boost. They cannot be charged simultaneously
• Pit Boost highlights rapid-charging EV technology, reflecting Formula E race-to-road ingenuity
• The FIA will determine the window when Pit Boost is available (depending on a certain 'Status of Charge' value), which will be shared with teams 21 days before each race

RETURN OF THE ROOKIES

Ahead of the main event, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will host a Free Practice session for Rookies on Thursday February 13, providing each team with the opportunity to showcase talent from outside the championship in the new GEN3 Evo machinery.

This session promises to add an extra layer of anticipation and excitement to the race weekend, while teams can also gather valuable data that will aid them in strategic decision-making down the line. The full rookie line-up is as follows:

2	Maserati MSG Racing	Théo Pourchaire
5	NEOM McLaren Formula E Team	Alexander Dunne
7	DS PENSKE	Daniil Kvyat
13	TAG HEUER Porsche Formula E Team	Thomas Preining
16	Envision Racing	Zak O'Sullivan
21	Mahindra Racing	Kush Maini
22	LOLA Yamaha ABT Formula E Team	Tatiana Calderón
23	Nissan Formula E Team	Gabriele Minì
33	Cupra Kiro	Mikkel Jensen
37	Jaguar TCS Racing	Jamie Chadwick
51	Andretti Formula E	Jak Crawford

 

WHERE TO WATCH THE 2025 JEDDAH E-PRIX

The 2025 Jeddah E-Prix gets underway on Thursday February 13  with Rookie Free Practice at 18:00 local time, and Free Practice 1 at 21:00 local time.

On race days Friday 14 and Saturday 15, Free Practice 2 kicks off at 13:00 local, qualifying follows at 15:20 local, with lights out on Rounds 3 and 4 at 20:05 local.

Fans can view the full race day schedule in their time zone here, or look at the broadcast listings on our website for more information. Fans in the US can watch the race on Roku at 12:05PM ET.

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE JEDDAH E-PRIX

• Formula E maintains significant sustainability measures at the heart of all its races, with social and environmental sustainability core to Formula E events, positively impacting people and the planet
• Formula E announces the First Autism Centre – an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder – as the beneficiary of its Season 11 Better Futures Fund in Jeddah
• Other key highlights include the FIA Girls on Track, improved energy efficiency through the use of 100% renewable energy generated by B100 biofuel and inspiration hour

Better Futures Fund

• The Formula E Better Futures Fund is supporting  the First Autism Centre - an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia, with a donation of €25,000 ($25974). The donation will be used to establish a dedicated sensory room for the 100 children supported by the center
• Established with the mission to provide comprehensive care, education, and therapy services, the First Autism Centre strives to empower individuals with ASD to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives
• During race week, Formula E representatives will tour the center's facilities and find out more about the sensory room 
• The Better Futures Fund, established by Formula E during Season 10, aims to create a lasting positive impact in host cities by supporting local initiatives that address social inequalities and environmental issues
• In Season 11, a chosen charity in each of the ten race markets will receive a €25,000 charitable donation, bringing the fund total to €250,000 – building on €100,000 that was donated to from the Better Futures Fund last year 

FIA Girls on Track at Jeddah E-Prix

• FIA Girls on Track will host up to 120 young women across race week.
• The day-long experience includes career talks, a Pit Lane Walk, activations in the Gaming Arena and educational partner workshops on-site, led by inspirational women from within the paddock
• The program focuses on STEM education and gender inclusivity in motorsport, engaging girls from diverse communities in host cities.
• In addition to the on-site event, on Wednesday February 12 Formula E will co-host a woman in motorsport and career discussion panel discussion at UBT (University of Business and Technology) with the Nissan Formula E Team. The event will be attended by more than 70 students.
• The FIA Girls on Track program is proudly supported by Hankook (Presenting Partner), ABB (Principal  Partner) and Fortescue Zero (Official Partner). 

Powered by renewable energy

• Energy Efficiency: The Jeddah E-Prix will utilise 100% renewable energy generated by B100 biofuel.
• Biofuel is recognized by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as a renewable alternative for fossil fuels, and B100 can reduce carbon emissions by up to 60% compared to fossil diesel. 

Other sustainability measures

• The Inspiration Hour: A Community Tour will engage up to 330 individuals from local community groups and universities across Jeddah, inspiring members to engage with and pursue future opportunities within motorsports, aligned with Formula E focusing on creating inclusive opportunities for all. 
• Air Freight Emissions Reduction: Formula E continues to reduce freight-related CO2 emissions in S11 through optimizing logistics, reducing air freight from three planes to two, and enhancing sea freight solutions, with an estimated saving of at least 25% of freight-related CO2 emissions in S11.