Formula 1’s reluctance to electrification

The sound of the Formula 1 engine is an integral part of the culture relating to this sport.

However, over the years, some important voices in this sport have pushed for the electrification of the latter.

Formula E is greener, leaner and already fully electric. Also it is a platform to show the technological advances in that matter.

Could merging the two championships be a light-bulb moment for motorsport?

According to Lucas Di Grassi:

“The question of Formula E merging with Formula 1 is very relevant. I see in the long-term future a very low probability that combustion racing will be allowed, especially in developed countries. So either F1 stays as F1, but it will have to go electric, or you have to merge it with Formula E.”

As road car manufacturers focus on an electric future is F1 is in danger of becoming irrelevant?

“The world is changing so quickly and electric cars are growing massively. You see many brands launching fully-electric cars just like in Formula E.”

Felipe Massa

Some of the constructors that can be seen in Formula E are Audi, BMW, Nissan, Mercedes and Porsche.

“The manufacturers are going to have to keep in line with what they produce. If in 10 or 15 years they are only producing electric vehicles, I find it hard to see them spending money on something they do not sell.”

Jerome D’Ambrosio

Even if F1 wanted to suddenly switch to electric power — or merge with Formula E — it isn’t as simple as turning on a switch.

According to Jack Nicholls (motorsport commentator)

“Formula E has an exclusivity deal with the FIA for electric single-seater racing [until 2038],” Nicholls explains. “That’s the tricky position F1 are in, they can’t just become electric and more relevant.”

Interestingly, both championships have common ownership with Liberty Global a shareholder in Formula E and Liberty Media acquiring F1’s commercial rights in 2017. The two are separate entities but both come under the umbrella ownership of billionaire John C. Malone.

Jack Nicholls

“Within the sport you’re told Liberty Global and Liberty Media are two separate companies and there isn’t much crossover but obviously if something needed to be done I’m sure it could be”

According to Jean-Eric Vergne it is possible to merge the two sports in a creative way.

For example to have half the season in F1 cars, and the other half in FE cars. Take the best tracks of F1 and the best tracks of FE and make a massive championship.

That would be pretty awesome.

However, it must be kept in mind that in addition to these pragmatic aspects, the culture of these two sports is very different.

A fear of current Formula 1 commentators is that the electrification of Formula 1 would lead to a significant drop in speeds.

However, you should not dismiss the future technological advances that are to come in terms of electrification in the automotive sector. You can take for example the Volkswagen IDR which broke the Pikes Peak hill climb record in 2018.

You can also take the example of the McMurtry Speirling who broke the Goodwood Festival Of Speed ​​record in 2022.