Formula E negotiates open batteries, individual body for “Gen4”

Following the launch of the new Gen3 Championship car at the Monaco Yacht Club, which debuts in the 2022-23 season, a number of manufacturers in Formula E and beyond have negotiated future championship directions in line with third-generation rules.

Raigl, who on Friday confirmed joining the board of the motorsport technology company Griiip, says the participating manufacturers share a consensus on most points of discussion for the future direction of the championship.

He added that any changes in technology need to be approached with an attractive price limit to ensure that manufacturers can continue to participate without getting out of control.

ANALYSIS: How Formula E helped change motorsport

“What we were doing in Monaco was, I don’t like to call it a Gen4 session, but it was [discussing the] the future of electric mobility, the future of Formula E, ”Raigl told Autosport.

“The idea was actually to try to narrow the conversation around the field of technical development because we wanted to hear from the manufacturers what was important to them.

“We have our own views, and our job is ultimately to balance the demands of the manufacturers and the sports and fan offerings. Simply put, everyone wants the same thing, right? They want great sports and they want more fans.”

“We also had a number of non-championship producers who came [to the Monaco meeting] and then, besides, we had a number of manufacturers who didn’t come to Monaco who still said, “we want to talk to you about your roadmap”.

“I don’t think everyone expects all their ideas to fit into the program, but it’s about getting them heard so that it reflects a collective discussion.

“We see interest in this cycle – I’ll call it 4th generation – 2026, saying, ‘What is the scope of development and how can we participate?’

“Once we have a price limit set, we can have a very rational discussion with manufacturers about what’s important.”

Ragle explained that the discussions helped highlight some of the more pressing desires of manufacturers regarding the future of the championship outside of Gen3, and identified three areas with the most “momentum” – including the discovery of battery technology.

Porsche Motorsport director Thomas Laudenbach had previously said the manufacturer wanted Formula E battery technology to be open to some degree, although NIO 333 technical manager Duncan Lakecock warned it could create a big gap between the teams.

However, Raigl argues that in theory the battery can be opened only in small quantities, either in the proposals of an additional range of suppliers, or in the energy management systems used.

Formula E has launched a Gen3 car in Monaco

Photo: Simon Galloway / Drawings of motorsport

“I believe that the three areas are the most impulsive, and I would not say that there is a consensus, but the common interests are the battery, transmission and air transport,” he added.

“I’m not an engineer, but it’s not necessarily the whole battery – it can be like an energy management system. So there’s a battery, a front-wheel drive and whether we should be full wheels. All-wheel drive all the time, or all-wheel drive for a while.

“So, of course, the movement of the front axle and then the body. But no one wants to participate in the airfield in the wind tunnel, but if you have air vents, the idea of ​​Porsche looks different than Jaguar, I think may be interesting.”

Raigl also explained his new role as Griiip – the company with its data collection and analysis tools at DTM – saying: “In fact the main responsibility will be to work with Tamir Placzynski, the founder, and his team just to help him through opportunities and how to go to market and serve for him as CEO a bit of advice. “