Written by Vyas Ponnuri
The Federation Internationale d'Automobile (FIA) officially unveiled the calendar for Formula E's eleventh season on Thursday, following the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting. The calendar features 16 races, the same as season ten, with the proposed 17th round in March shelved.
When Formula E first unveiled their calendar for season 11, a record 17 rounds were scheduled to take place. However, one round in March had been earmarked as TBC, with the location undecided as of then. It was speculated for the weekend to take place around the city of Chiang Mi, Thailand.
However, chances of the weekend going ahead remained grim ever since the new government was instated in the country.
With Formula E unable to find an alternative location, the round has been shelved from the calendar, leaving the schedule at 16 races, and a two-month gap between rounds three and four on a shortened version of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in February, and round five at the Miami Homestead circuit in April.
However, it is believed Formula E has an event in mind for the fans, to keep them engaged during this two-month break. This is set to be announced in due course.
2025 will be the second year a Formula E event has been cancelled after being pencilled in to the schedule, with the Hyderabad E Prix cancelled ahead of the 2024 season, due to a change in government in the state of Telangana, where the Hyderabad E Prix was expected to be held.
Yet, a 16-race calendar still provides plenty for the fans to look forward to, with as many as six double-headers slated to be hosted, including the popular Monaco E Prix converted into a double header, having been held as a standalone race until season ten.
A spokesperson commented on the calendar reveal, also revealing that the team were working to fill the void created by the cancellation of the round in March:
We are excited to deliver the calendar of 16 Formula E races in Season 11 that was announced earlier this year - the same number that led to record-breaking fan and broadcast audience growth globally.
"Across 10 events we’ll race at several long-standing favourites, with upgrades to double-headers in some locations and some fantastic new venues in key markets.
“With the arrival of the new GEN3 Evo technology putting our drivers behind the wheel of the fastest cars ever raced in Formula E, we can’t wait to get the season started and couldn’t be more excited about the potential the championship has to thrill and attract new fans.
“Work is already underway to build and maintain engagement with fans all season long, with more details to be announced in the coming months."
Formula E will first head to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo at Valencia, with an all-female half-day test and a dummy race planned to test the attack charge feature during the pre-season test. Round one is set to take place on 7th December, 2024, at São Paulo, Brazil.
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