London E-Prix (Round 17)

The London E-Prix represents the final two rounds of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, with Round 17 serving as the season's ultimate showdown. This double-header formula-e event takes place at the ExCeL London Circuit in London, where a world champion will be crowned. The unique venue hosts two distinct race formats across the weekend, offering fans a complete celebration of electric motorsport.

The ExCeL London Circuit

The ExCeL London Circuit stands as the world's first and only indoor-outdoor motorsport track. The 2.09 km circuit features 23 turns that weave through the ExCeL exhibition centre and around the historic Royal Victoria Docklands. Drivers navigate multiple surface types during each lap, including smooth tarmac indoors, a slippery metal strip at the indoor exit, new asphalt sections, painted surfaces, and highly abrasive tarmac outdoors.

The track incorporates steep inclines and declines, creating elevation changes that add another layer of difficulty. Drivers also experience immediate shifts in lighting as they transition between indoor and outdoor sections. These combined challenges make the London circuit one of the most demanding venues on the formula-e calendar.

Race Format for Round 17

The weekend features two different race structures. The first race, known as "E-Prix Unleashed", runs for 30 minutes as a sprint format without pit stops and includes six minutes of Attack Mode. Round 17, the second race titled "E-Prix", extends to 45 minutes and requires a mandatory pit stop with eight minutes of Attack Mode available to drivers.

Teams and Drivers

Ten teams compete at the London E-Prix, including Andretti Formula E, Citroën Racing, Cupra Kiro, DS Penske, Envision Racing, Jaguar TCS Racing, Lola Yamaha ABT Formula E Team, Mahindra Racing, Nissan Formula E Team, and Porsche Formula E Team.

Several significant driver changes mark this season. Nick Cassidy has moved from Jaguar to Citroën Racing, while Jean-Éric Vergne also joined Citroën Racing from DS Penske. António Félix da Costa made the switch from Porsche to Jaguar TCS Racing. New faces on the grid include Taylor Barnard at DS Penske, Felipe Drugovich at Andretti, Joel Eriksson at Envision, and Josep Maria Marti at Cupra Kiro. Pascal Wehrlein and Nico Müller compete for the Porsche Formula E Team.

Gen3 Evo Technology

Teams will race with Gen3 Evo cars at the London E-Prix. These machines produce 300kW in standard race mode, which increases to 350kW during Attack Mode. Drivers activate this extra 50kW of power by driving through a specific zone off the racing line.

PIT BOOST System

The mandatory pit stop at the London E-Prix includes the PIT BOOST feature. Cars receive a 10% energy increase, equivalent to 3.85kWh, through a 30-second, 600kW boost in the pit lane. Teams cannot double-stack cars during this process, adding strategic considerations to race planning.

Performance and Specifications

The Gen3 Evo features full All-Wheel Drive capability during qualifying Duels and Attack Mode periods. These cars can reach a top speed of 200 mph (322 km/h). All competitors use all-weather Hankook iON tires constructed from 35% recycled and sustainable materials.

London E-Prix History

The London E-Prix first appeared on the Formula E calendar in the 2014–15 season at Battersea Park Street Circuit. The event served as the season finale in 2015 and 2016 before relocating due to local concerns. Formula E returned to London in the 2020–21 season at the ExCeL London Circuit, following a postponement from 2019-20. The circuit length has been adjusted over time, settling at 2.09 km from an initial 2.252 km. Nick Cassidy holds the record for most wins at the London E-Prix with three victories, while e.Dams-Renault and Jaguar both have three constructor wins.

What Makes This Event Special

The indoor-outdoor configuration of the ExCeL London Circuit creates a truly unique racing experience unmatched anywhere else in international motorsport. The London E-Prix offers a festival atmosphere that combines racing with live music, gaming arenas, and interactive fan zones. Local food trucks provide diverse options for spectators throughout the event.

The circuit's multiple surface types, elevation changes, and lighting transitions create particularly complex conditions for drivers to master. The return of major motorsport to central London represents a significant milestone, as the city had gone nearly 50 years without such events before Formula E arrived at ExCeL.

The Gen3 Evo cars used at Round 17 demonstrate Formula E's commitment to environmental responsibility, with 35% of their construction coming from recycled and sustainable materials. This combination of technological innovation, unique venue characteristics, and championship implications makes the London E-Prix a standout event where electric racing showcases its full potential.