Citroen boss Cyril Blais has proposed a significant overhaul of Formula E’s Pit Boost format, suggesting that teams should be given the freedom to decide how much energy they want to take on during pitstops, potentially introducing a new layer of strategy to the all-electric championship.
Current Pit Boost Format
The current format, which was introduced in the 2024-25 season, features a mandatory Pit Boost stop in one race of each double-header, with cars being charged for exactly 30 seconds and receiving a fixed energy increase of 3.85kWh or 10% of the battery capacity.
However, Blais believes that this format could be fine-tuned to allow for more variation, with teams being able to choose between shorter stops with less energy or longer recharges with a bigger energy gain, adding a new level of complexity to the championship.
Strategic Implications
A shorter pitstop could hand a driver track position, but leave them vulnerable to attacks from other cars, while a longer pitstop could drop a driver down the order, but provide them with the extra energy needed to claw back lost time, similar to strategic trade-offs seen in sportscar racing.
Blais’s proposal is part of a wider discussion about the future of Formula E, with the championship set to introduce Pit Boost in all full-length races from the 2026-27 season, and the Citroen boss is keen to ensure that the championship continues to offer exciting wheel-to-wheel battles, while avoiding races becoming overly artificial or too hard for fans to follow.
Gen4 Era
As Formula E and the FIA work towards finalizing a new sporting format for the Gen4 era, Blais is pushing for a format that showcases the performance of the Gen4 car, while keeping the DNA of Formula E and avoiding extreme energy-saving, which can make the race feel artificial.
With the introduction of fast-charging technology and the potential for varying Pit Boost usages, the championship is at a crossroads, and Blais is keen to find the right balance between excitement and simplicity, ensuring that the championship remains engaging for fans and true to its core values.
Future of Formula E
As the championship looks to the future, Blais’s proposal is likely to be a key topic of discussion, with the potential to introduce a new level of strategy and complexity to the championship, and with the Gen4 era on the horizon, the future of Formula E is set to be more exciting than ever, with the championship poised to take a significant step forward in terms of performance and competitiveness.
With the right balance of excitement and simplicity, Formula E can continue to thrive, and Blais’s proposal is a key step towards achieving this goal, as the championship looks to build on its success and establish itself as a leading player in the world of motorsport.
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