Formula E will enter a new era for the 2024/25 season with the introduction of the Gen3 Evo car.
The advanced machine to the Gen3 car that was first used for the 2022/23 season, the Gen3 Evo car is set to be the fastest car in Formula E history.
In fact, it will become the fastest accelerating car in an FIA championship, being able to go from 0-60mph in just 1.82 seconds.
The latest technological advancements did not come with its complications. Even with the Gen3 car, certain issues brought criticism from the teams and threatened the operation of the championship.
And as Season 11 approaches, FE has lost one of its key figures in that department as the new machine is set to take to the tarmac in three months’ time.
Dieter Gass has left his role of Formula E’s sporting and technical advisor
In a report by The Race, FE sporting and technical advisor Dieter Gass left his role last month, with the sporting department now being under the control of former IndyCar entrant Beth Paretta.
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The former motorsport leader of Toyota and Audi, Gass was brought in as a conduit to the FIA at the start of 2023, in the wake of the growing technological problems with the Gen3 machine.
During Gass’ time in his role, huge amounts of money and time was spent to create ‘bandages’ for the issues, such as a secondary braking system, new mirrors and the annulment of attack mode after drivers were unable to properly extract its power with the new hard Hankook tyres.
FE has invested heavily in experienced heads, including former DS performance director Thomas Chevaucher and ex-Renault and Nissan technical director Vincent Gallardot. But with Gass now gone, questions are rising as to whether his absence will affect the development of Gen4 – coming in 2026 – or if he will be replaced.
Speaking with The Race, FE Teams and Association chair Ian James says that Gass was ‘great’ for the series but that he is ‘confident’ FE will make the right decision with how to handle his exit.
“I think he was a great hire by Formula E to bring somebody with his experience and expertise in,” he said.
“Moving on, it’s always good to have that connection between the governing body and the expertise that they’ve brought on in the recent year or so, so that we’ve got some new expertise coming in.
“Whether they then look to replace Dieter directly or whether it’s a combination of a number of different people and different experience, I don’t know, but I’m confident that they’ll take the right call on that one.”
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The Season 11 grid is slowly starting to fill
As Season 11 kicks off in Sao Paulo in December, the grid is slowly starting to fill among the 11 teams.
DS Penske recently confirmed their driver line-up as Maximillian Gunther was announced as two-time champion Jean-Eric Vergne’s teammate.
After Jake Hughes left for Maserati, McLaren have brought in Taylor Barnard from Formula 2, after the young Brit impressed last season in place of the injured Sam Bird.
Nico Muller will join Andretti alongside Season Nine champion Jake Dennis. Coming off of his best season to date, Muller is looking to grab his first FE win with Andretti in Season 11.