Written by Vyas Ponnuri
Having served as Formula E's race director for seven years, Scot Elkins will be stepping aside from the sport after the Miami E-Prix weekend in April due to personal reasons. Deputy race director Marek Hanaczweski will step up from the subsequent weekend in Monaco.
Elkins is a familiar name you would hear at every Formula E weekend. One can always hear his radio transmissions to teams on live broadcasts, signalling a full course yellow or a safety car, or advising teams to go slow when yellow flags are waved out on track.
The long time race director also missed the season opening São Paulo E-Prix earlier this year, due to the death of his father. Hanaczweski filled in for Elkins in Brazil, in conjunction with Formula E's currrent Head of Circuit Operations Benoit Dupont. The Pole will take over Elkins' role full-time from the Monaco E-Prix weekend in May.
Dupont has served as a Head of Sporting Matters in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), as well as being a part of Formula E's High Performance Programme (HPP), and will step up to being Hanaczweski's deputy from the Monaco E-Prix weekend
As for Elkins, his valuable contributions to the sport have ensured he will leave Formula E on a high, and cement his space in the series' hall of fame.
“After 10 years in Formula E, the time has come for me to retire as Race Director," Elkins expressed. "With the recent loss of my father this past December, I have new responsibilities that require my time and attention at home.
"While I had hoped to complete Season 11 and retire at its conclusion, my plans have now been accelerated and my focus remains on my family. I will continue working in motorsport, primarily on projects based in the USA.
"I have been honoured to be a part of the Formula E paddock and am grateful for the friendships that have grown over the years.
"Although I am very sad to leave, I am confident in the staff that will remain. We have worked closely together and I know they are committed to making the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship a success, this season and in the many to come.”
It was truly in the Gen2 era when Elkins began to call races, and he emerged as an important figure to ensure Formula E put together six rounds in 10 days at Berlin to ensure the season was able to conclude after being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elkins has also controlled several big incidents during his tenure as a race director. Most notably, his calls during major incidents such as Mahindra's Alex Lynn experiencing a high speed flip in Diriyah, or during season nine's tumultous accident-riddled Rome weekend ensured quick intervention and drivers escaping unhurt.
The transition of power will see Hanaczewski serve as race director for the Jeddah and Miami E-Prix weekends, while the Pole will become full-time race director from the Monaco round in May.
Hanaczewski, meanwhile, has been involved in Formula E's operations ever since its inception, and has served as Elkins' deputy since season 8 in 2022. He has built valuable experience and developed his skills working alongside the sport's long-time race director.
“Stepping into the role of Race Director is an exciting new chapter in my motorsport career, and the continuation of a journey that began 13 years ago," says Hanaczewski.
"Since 2017, I have had the privilege to work alongside Scot, who has been not only a great leader but also a mentor, teacher and friend.
"I am incredibly grateful for the knowledge, experience and trust he has shared with me over the years. His contribution to Formula E is undeniable, and I deeply appreciate the time we have spent working together.
Now, I look forward to leading race operations and ensuring the continued growth and success of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.”
The Formula E paddock will certainly miss Elkins, having served as a balanced figure and made the right calls at the right intervals. The former Formula E race director will now take up the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at motorsport timing and technology solutions company Al Kamel's North American branch.
Formula E will return once again at the Jeddah E-Prix on February 13-15 for the season's first double header. With an exciting weekend at hand, do tune in to DIVEBOMB for regular updates on the weekend's coverage.
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