Friday, March 29, 2024

Formula E granted “World Championship” status

The Formula E championship has been granted “world championship” status as of the 2020/21 season. This means that in the eyes of Motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, the winners of the hard-fought street racing championship will now be classified as the World Champion – much the way they are in the likes of Formula One.

In terms of the sport itself and how it will work, nothing much will really change – other than that it will now be known as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. This decision comes after six years and six seasons of very competitive racing on street circuits around the world.

The founder and chairman of Formula E, Alejandro Agag, met with the president of the FIA, Jean Todt, to finalise the agreement this week. The pair shared a handshake and a press photograph at Place de la Concorde in Paris as the agreement was made official.

Speaking on the decision, Agag told media this has been the plan from the very beginning of FE. “It was always our ambition to one day become an FIA world championship. Everything we have done and delivered to this point has been working towards this particular moment in time,” said Agag.

Formula E gets world championship

“Achieving the feat and being granted with world championship status adds more credibility to what is already a fully-fledged formula of racing and a spectacular sporting product. This agreement and announcement truly puts Formula E in the top tier of international single-seater racing.

“It has been a tremendous effort from many people involved and none of it would have been possible without the support of FIA President Jean Todt and the federation, as well as the dedication and commitment shown by our teams and partners. Now we can say we have done it. But it is only the beginning of a new chapter under the banner of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.”  

This monumental announcement follows the latest and greatest season of Formula E to date. Last year, we saw nine different race winners over the course of the season. We also saw the much anticipated arrival of teams from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Motorsport fans from the world of Formula One will recognise the driver lineup at Mercedes Benz EQ Formula E Team, with former McClaren F1 driver Stoffel Vandoorne accompanied by F2 champion Nyck de Vries.

With two races gone already in the season, both on the first weekend in Diriyah, Brit Alexander Sims of Andretti Motorsport sits atop the drivers championship with Stoffel Vandoorne behind him in second. The next race will see the teams pack up and head to Chile for the Santiago E-Prix on January 18th.

For more like this, visit the dedicated F1 section here. Meanwhile, follow us on Facebook for news and analysis right to your timeline.

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