A theoretical Formula E calendar for the Gen4 era

With the Gen4 era of Formula E approaching, the cars will be bigger, faster, and more efficient. Theoretically, this should bring more exciting racing, but it also means the championship is outgrowing its street circuit-only philosophy.

This is already evident in the most recent calendar, with permanent circuits such as Shanghai and Jarama hosting the championship.

This got the LBRB team thinking about other permanent circuits that could produce exciting racing, with some focus also on lesser-used circuits that could be utilised as a bolster for raising a country’s profile within the motorsport world.

As a collective, we have produced a 16-race calendar that we think would suit the new requirements of the Gen4 era of Formula E. As well as choosing the locations, we have also considered a plausible order of events to form the calendar, taking into account geographical groupings and logistics.

And just for a bit of fun, we have also dubbed each event name with some not-so-serious suggestions.

Round 1: Mount Panorama (Bathurst), Australia - Teagan’s choice

As of right now, Formula E does not race down under and I think that they are missing out. Bathurst is iconic and complicated but would be so impressive. Whilst we’ve seen several kangaroo-related incidents at previous Bathurst 12 hours, Formula E would surely take extra precautions.

Once again, it would be a nightmare to get all of the Formula E cars over to Australia but it should definitely be considered.

Dubbed: Mount Panorama E-Prix

Round 2: Hampton Downs, New Zealand - Topher's choice

A country that has produced many elite racing drivers, however New Zealand isn’t really a feature on many calendars in the top level championships. How about Formula E changing that?

The Kiwi nation is represented well in Formula E at the hands of Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy, two of the championship’s greatest drivers and both currently without a home race. Out of the circuits available in the country, I believe Hampton Downs provides the best opportunity for exciting racing within the energy-focused series.

A circuit that would provide heavy enough braking zones for both regeneration and overtaking, Hampton Downs would make a fine addition to the calendar.

Dubbed: Kiwi E-Prix

Round 3: Zhuhai, China - Topher's choice

China is already well-engrained into the history of Formula E. China Racing provided the first ever driver’s champion in Nelson Piquet Jr, and had the honour of hosting the first ever Formula E race around the Olympic Park in Beijing back in 2014.

I would consider it somewhat sinful if China were not on the Formula E calendar, so I felt I had to include it in my choices. However, the current Chinese pick of Shanghai is not where I have landed. While Shanghai is all well and good, I feel that particular circuit is more suited to Formula 1 and Formula E could maybe benefit from the use of Zhuhai instead.

A bit more of a stop-start track in terms of its layout, but this could be beneficial to the regeneration requirements of Formula E and allow for multiple overtaking opportunities.

Dubbed: Zhuhai E-Prix

Round 4: Kuwait Motor Town, Kuwait - Alex's choice

A bit of an obscure choice this one but Kuwait Motor Town would be a great choice to see Formula E race here, ignoring current political landscapes - that’s beyond any of our current pay grades.

I’ve not seen a lot of racing here, but the racing I have seen, I’ve enjoyed. The ‘Grand Prix’ circuit features 20 turns and is over 5.6km long, including massive straights for slipstreaming, mega tight turns and a massive bendy turn early in the lap similar to China’s turn 1, 2, 3 complex. 

Asia is a world leader in the production of electric vehicles, it’s a no brainer to keep visiting - and why not visit as many places as you can?

Dubbed: Middle East E-Prix

Round 5: Imola, Italy - Tom's choice

With F1 not going back for a while, this could an opportunity for FE to make a mark on one of the most evocative circuits in the world. Using the configuration that MotoGP race on, there’s plenty of chicanes to conserve the battery and the fans would love the championship to contest here.

Dubbed: San Marino E-Prix

Round 6: Mugello, Italy - Alex's choice

Kind of sticking with the picturesque locations and rollercoaster style circuits theme, I’ve opted for Mugello. Set in Tuscany, and typically an F1 test track - the racing I’ve seen here tends to be pretty good.

Full of long corners, chicanes and undulations, this is definitely a ‘driver’s track’ and that’s obvious if you go online and search for George Russell providing commentary of his own lap there during a Free Practice season with Williams when F1 visited in 2020. Stunning lap to take in.

Like many ‘older’ circuits, the circuit features named corners which is always enjoyable for the circuit nerds among us - including yours truly. One for the pasta fans, corners ‘Arrabbiata 1 and Arrabbiata 2’ that are similar to the Degner’s at Suzuka. Spicy.

Dubbed: E-Prix of Tuscany

Round 7: Portimao, Portugal - Tom's choice

A fan favourite and the chicane part where Turn 1 would accommodate energy management and it’s logistically viable for the teams to get to.

Dubbed: Portuguese E-Prix

Round 8: Monte Carlo, Monaco - Topher's choice

Already an experienced venue for Formula E, recent seasons have shown that the championship is more suited to the Principality than Formula 1. While I accept that Monaco is the jewel in the crown of the Formula 1 calendar, the racing has been rather stagnant there in recent years with Saturday qualifying usually the high point of the weekend. Formula E has consistently put on a better show during the races.

At the time of writing, it is unclear how the bigger Gen4 Formula E cars will behave around Monaco’s tight corners, but I would wager that it will still be better than what Formula 1 is currently producing. In my opinion, Monaco must stay on the calendar.

Dubbed: Monaco E-Prix

Round 9: Le Mans, France - Teagan's choice

An unrealistic choice, I know, but France doesn’t have any Formula E races and I think they’re missing out. Whilst the whole circuit for Formula E would be a logistical nightmare, they could use a shortened version.

The Circuit de la Sarthe is iconic and several Formula E drivers would already be familiar, given that they have raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It would be insanely cool to see Formula E take on Le Mans.

Dubbed: E-Prix of Le Mans

Round 10: Brands Hatch, England - Tom's choice

The Indy layout would suit the GEN4 cars a lot and the crowd would be able to see all the action from any spot. Lots of areas to watch from as well, so this is a no brainer for me.

Dubbed: British E-Prix

Round 11: Donington Park, England - Teagan's choice

Donington Park isn’t too unrealistic of a choice, given that Formula E used to test there from 2014 until 2016. Yes, the cars now are a lot faster but I feel like all the significant motorsport in the UK happens down south: the E-Prix is held in London, the British Grand Prix and ELMS at Silverstone and the GT World Challenge EU is at Brands Hatch. Surely us Northerners deserve some type of international-level racing. Also, Donington has hosted F1 so has the capability to handle Formula E’s ever-growing fan base. 

Some of the negatives, however, are that the circuit is in close proximity to East Midlands Airport, so that could cause logistical issues. Also, it is a relatively inaccessible track- there are little to no public transport connections (unlike London) and there is only really one road into and one road out of the circuit.

Dubbed: East Midlands E-Prix

Round 12: Knockhill, Scotland - Alex's choice

Scottish guy picks Scottish circuit, shocking right? Knockhill is a favourite in British racing, with the tight and twisty Fife based circuit popular in British lower formula racing with the famous Scottish hospitality and picturesque surroundings a hugely positive feature, as well as the fact Scotland is a world leader in renewable energies.

For Formula E to visit Scotland, I’d hazard a guess the surrounding facilities would require significant upgrades, but the flowy circuit would suit FE down to the ground.

As an additional bonus, Knockhill features heavy undulating sections, creating a rollercoaster effect for drivers making this one fun for everyone. Good luck getting your tyres warm though!

Dubbed: E-Prix of Scotland

Round 13: KymiRing, Finland - Topher's choice

Formula 1 hasn’t been able to crack Finland yet, despite celebrating three of its champions in the form of Keke Rosberg, Mika Hakkinen, and Kimi Raikkonen, while Valtteri Bottas and Heikki Kovalainen are also Grand Prix winners.

The relatively new KymiRing circuit in Finland may not be at the Grade 1 requirement to host F1 (it’s also lacking in the Grade 3E required for Formula E), but further investment into the circuit should bring it up to the required level for the all-electric series.

Given Formula E’s green nature, hosting an event in the middle of the forest would actually be quite fitting in a different, yet similar way to that of racing in city centres.

Dubbed: Finnish E-Prix

Round 14: Charlotte, NC, United States of America - Tom's choice

The infield section is an intriguing part of the circuit for the cars to race at. Miami will be given more time before this happens but if America is to be explored more, this is where I would consider next.

Dubbed: Charlotte's Web E-Prix

Round 15: Indianapolis, IN, United States of America - Teagan's choice

This one may be very unrealistic but I’m just curious how the Formula E cars would perform on an oval. IMS is one of, if not the most, iconic tracks ever and I really think that Formula E could target a whole new fan base if they went and raced on an oval.

I also thought that they could have some guest drivers- think the Evo sessions but with actual, qualified racing drivers. There would be the potential for IndyCar and NASCAR drivers to have a go and it would be really exciting.

Dubbed: Indy 100 E-Prix

Round 16: Laguna Seca, CA, United States of America - Alex's choice

Like F1, a key market for Formula E to crack is the American one and a likely part of that is probably, eventually multiple US based races so why not head to a classic? Laguna Seca.

An IndyCar and IMSA favourite, the Monterey circuit usually conjures up drama and chaos…sound familiar? Seems like Formula E would be a perfect match to take on the circuit, the Andretti Hairpin, the Rahal Straight and the iconic Corkscrew.

This one for me seems an absolute match made in heaven, and the other perfect setting to boost the American market.

Dubbed: United States E-Prix

Image credit: Formula E, RacingCircuits.info