Formula E enacts energy rule tweak to prevent another embarrassment

Formula E has introduced an energy reduction rule change in order to avoid a repeat to the end to its first Valencia E-Prix race that saw half the field not finish the race due to a complete depletion of their battery.

Teams sought an immediate change to the rules and one has now been introduced – with the FIA confirming no usable energy will now be taken off after the 40-minute mark of the 45-minute-plus-one-lap races.

“Concerning what happened in Valencia, the FIA and the promoter do not wish to see a similar scenario happen again,” an FIA spokesperson said.

“With that in mind, and to prevent any further risk of miscalculation in regard to the energy consumption, it has been decided to no longer apply energy reduction if a safety car period ends beyond the 40th minute of a race.

“This will grant teams an additional margin for error, without detracting in any way from the spirit of Formula E, in which energy management is a key element.”